The name Athlete’s foot can be quite deceiving because it seems to imply only athlete’s or any sports person or a person who is active can have it. But, even a couch potato can develop it.
Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection, which causes odorous rash between toes that is scaly and itchy. The fungus that causes this infection thrives in warm and moist conditions. So the best way to combat this problem is by preventing your foot from getting warm and moist. Warm weather and wearing shoes that don’t let your feet to breathe are common triggering factors.
1 Keep Your Feet Dry
Mild cases of Athlete’s foot respond really well to home remedies. However, the most important and basic way to combat the problem is to keep the feet dry at all times. Make sure to towel dry your feet and between your toes after a bath, and if possible use a blow dryer. Keep the toes wedged apart with gauze or cotton, and use foot powder to stay dry.
2 Make use of a foot powder
You can powder your feet with medicated, over the counter products. First, sprinkle the powder in a plastic or paper bag, then put your foot into the bag and shake well. This distributes the powder where it does the most good and saves a messy cleanup.
3 Cornstarch or baking soda
Cornstarch or baking soda also helps. You can make a paste of baking soda and lukewarm water and spread that between your toes.
4 Salt or Vinegar Remedy
Soaking in saltwater (two teaspoons of salt or every pint of warm water) softens the skin to enable proper penetration of medication, as well as cut down on perspiration and the conditions that encourage fungi growth. Another effective home remedy soak is a white vinegar/water solution (2-4 tablespoons per pint) for 20 minutes, three times daily.
5 Make use of your scrubber
Jump in the shower and use a bristle brush to scrub your feet. Be sure to scrub well between your toes to remove dead skin where the fungi hide.
6 Expose your feet to sunlight and air
Whenever possible, get your feet into the sunlight and give them a good airing out. Also, change your socks at least three times a day, and make sure they are cotton.
7 Watch your footwear
A change of shoes also helps and, while you are not wearing one pair, wipe them out with some disinfectant such as Lysol and set them in the sun to help kill lingering fungi. Wear sandals, open-toed, canvas or woven leather shoes that allow your feet to breathe. Avoid vinyl uppers, gym shoes with rubber soles, or footwear that has been treated to keep water out. These make your feet sweat – the perfect environment for athlete’s foot to flourish.
8 Use these effective medications
Effective nonprescription medications include powders, sprays, creams and liquids which contain miconazole, tolnaftate or undecylenic acid.
9 Be patient
Finally, be patient. It may take two weeks to two months for athlete’s foot to clear up.