Over the counter medications can be bought for treating athletes foot. But here we explain some simple home remedies you can use which may aid recovery of athlete’s foot.
We always recommend seeking professional medical advice, especially if your symptoms persist.
Cornstarch
Rubbing cornstarch into your feet absorbs moisture and takes away the environment that athlete’s foot becomes prevalent in. That is why keeping your feet dry is essential. Applying cornstarch is effective at removing moisture so can help prevent athlete’s foot.
Tea Tree Oil
Soaking your feet in a footbath with drops of tea tree oil added can be beneficial for athlete’s foot. The tea tree oil has ingredients that work against the fungus and prevent it from spreading further. When you remove your feet from the warm footbath make sure you dry them fully and appropriately.
In some cases, people have seen benefits from using tea bags that have been in boiling water for 5 minutes and added to a footbath where the feet are then soaked. This is due to tannic acid being present in tea bags which helps dry the feet out, which in turn reduces the fungal infection.
Sesame Oil/Coconut Oil
Both of these can be applied to reduce fungal infections. They can be applied to the feet and allowed to dry when small measures are applied. The properties of both of these deter and fight against the fungal infection.
Vinegar
Vinegar can be used as a home remedy for athlete’s foot. The acidity of vinegar stops the fungal infection due to the environment it creates. Cider vinegar is of particular benefit in this instance and, like the above, you can soak your feet in this. Once you soak your feet in a small cup full mixed with warm water make sure the feet are dried appropriately to stop the moisture.
Salt or Bicarbonate of Soda
Salt added with warm water and soaked can stop peeling on the skin of the feet when there is a fungal infection and help reduce the spread. The feet should be allowed to soak for 10 minutes and then dried appropriately.
Bicarbonate of Soda can be added with a small amount of water and applied as a paste to the feet. It is important to wash your hands following this as you may have touched the fungal infection, which can also spread to other areas of the body.
Make sure the feet are rinsed and dried post the application of the paste after allowing it to be absorbed for a few minutes. It may even be worth sprinkling some soda in your shoes to absorb the moisture.
Povidone-iodine (PVPI)/Betadine
This is a chemical and should not be used if pregnant. Caution should be taken with this but it is often used for wounds and infections. Soaking your feet in this chemical in a warm footbath treats the fungal infection directly and again, post application, the feet should be dried sufficiently. This can be applied twice a day to help remove the fungus.
Simply washing and drying appropriately and regularly, especially if your feet sweat, will stop the fungal infection from festering in conditions that it likes. The towel used should also be washed and changed after use and all moisture removed from the feet.
Talcum powder can then also be applied to reduce the moisture. It may even be appropriate to wear flip-flops or go barefoot to allow the foot to breathe. Use of a hair dryer can also be effective to dry the foot following the use of soap and water.
These athlete’s foot home remedies have been shown to work and people have advocated ginger, garlic, and hydrogen peroxide among others to combat the condition. Prevention should always be paramount, either to stop the infection in the first place or to reduce the conditions and environment that allow for growth. If symptoms persist and a home remedy is not sufficient, then seek medical advice.
FAQs
Wash your feet twice a day and gently towel-dry between the toes. Use an antifungal product. After washing and drying your feet, apply an antifungal product. The antifungal terbinafine (Lamisil AT) has been shown to be very effective.
Does hydrogen peroxide cure athlete's foot? ›
It may sound like a dangerous chemical, but hydrogen peroxide is an effective home remedy for treating athlete's foot. The chemical works by killing all surface bacteria and funguses on the skin.
Will vinegar cure athlete's foot? ›
As vinegar has antifungal properties, soaking the feet daily in a vinegar foot bath could help fight off fungal infections, such as athlete's foot.
Does Vicks Vapor Rub cure athlete's foot? ›
Vicks VapoRub contains eucalyptus and menthol, two ingredients that have antifungal properties. Vicks can be directly applied to the affected area overnight to address athlete's foot. Repeat nightly until the infection goes away for at least one week.
What can be mistaken for athlete's foot? ›
What can be mistaken for athlete's foot? Skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema that cause a red, itchy, scaly rash may be mistaken for athlete's foot.
What is the best homemade foot soak for fungus? ›
The recommended ratio is one part apple cider vinegar to two parts warm water. Apple cider vinegar is particularly effective due to its antifungal properties. For best results, soak your feet in the vinegar solution for a minimum of 30 minutes daily.
What can I soak my feet in for an athlete's foot? ›
Widely praised for its antifungal properties, apple cider vinegar (ACV) can serve as a natural solution for dealing with athlete's foot. To utilize this remedy, create a foot soak by combining one part ACV with two parts warm water. Soak your feet in this solution for about 20 minutes daily.
What is the strongest treatment for athlete's foot? ›
Over-the-counter (OTC) creams and powders like terbinafine (Lamisil) and tolnaftate (Tinactin) can get rid of the infection. Home remedies like tea tree oil, hydrogen peroxide, and baking soda can help, too. To cure more stubborn infections, some people need prescription medications like terbinafine and itraconazole.
Is rubbing alcohol or peroxide better for athlete's foot? ›
Athlete's Foot
Hydrogen peroxide: Hydrogen peroxide can kill fungus and bacteria on the foot's surface. Pour it directly onto the infected foot twice daily — it may sting and should bubble if you have open wounds. Rubbing alcohol: Similar to hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol can help fight fungi on the skin.
Why won't my athlete's foot go away? ›
Fungal infections are often more resistant to at-home treatments and antifungal drugs. Fungi can develop a resistance to antifungal medication; the same way bacteria do to antibiotics. Resistance occurs when germs become capable of defeating the medicine that is supposed to kill them.
How Long Is Athlete's Foot Contagious? As long as the fungus is still on the skin of the feet, even during treatment, you can still pass it on to others.
How do I get rid of athlete's foot ASAP? ›
How do I treat athlete's foot? Over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription antifungal creams, ointments, gels, sprays or powders effectively treat athlete's foot. These products contain clotrimazole, miconazole, tolnaftate or terbinafine. Some prescription antifungal medications for athlete's foot are pills.
How to get rid of foot fungus naturally? ›
A study in Mycopathologia found that sodium bicarbonate, also known as baking soda, does have antifungal abilities when used on the skin. To make a foot soak, mix about a half cup of baking soda in a large bucket or basin of warm water. Soak feet for 15 to 20 minutes, twice a day.
Can I use neosporin for athlete's foot? ›
Miconazole is used to treat skin infections such as athlete's foot, jock itch, ringworm, and other fungal skin infections (candidiasis).
What does soaking your feet in hydrogen peroxide do? ›
Soaking your feet in hydrogen peroxide can kill any potentially harmful bacteria and foot fungus. It can also help to reduce odor-causing bacteria and soften calluses and corns. If you want to use hydrogen peroxide on your feet, mix one part hydrogen peroxide with three parts warm water.
What kills athlete's foot in shoes? ›
Use an antifungal spray or powder inside your shoes to kill any lurking fungi, and allow them to dry completely before wearing them again. Ideally, avoid wearing the same pair two days in a row, giving each pair enough time to dry out.
