Natural Remedies to Treat Athlete's Foot Effectively

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Otto (Lakeland, FL) on 09/27/2007
★★★★★

I'm sitting here reading about your ACV cure for my sinus pressure and possible infection which I'm about to try but I thought I'd add another AMAZING use for ACV. While in the Army I used to get all kinds of funky foot problems from wet boots and smelly group showers. Once, I got a athletes foot fungus that was so bad not a single OTC remedy would work and I spent $$$ on those "cures"! Out of desperation I read about ACV and thought "Why not" I placed it on a cotton ball, rubbed it all over the fungus (which burned really bad) and just let it sit there for about 15 minutes. Within 2 days the fungus started peeling off and new skin was taking it's place. Can you say MIRACLE? And a bottle of ACV is a bunch cheaper than a $7.00 tube of Lotramin

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Stephanie (Tampa, Florida) on 09/09/2008

You're probably very sensitive to the acid in the vinager. Try aveeno oatmeal bath soak, it will help with the irritation on your skin. Or plain oatmeal you can make a paste out of it but dont mix anything else with it besides water. The salt will dry out your skin, its no good for rash's. But like any skin allergy it will probably take a week or two to clear up. Also check to see if your sister wears perfume on her feet? alot of girls do maybe its not just the shoes, Hope this helps.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Rick (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia) on 04/01/2010

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and acetic acid (in all vinegars) react to form peracetic acid, which is very powerful and should never be used on the skin. However, you may use it on your nails. Since peracetic acid is relatively unstable (it breaks down and loses its power after a few hours), it is preferable to apply the reactants one after the other, rather than mixing them beforehand. For example, first apply the vinegar to the nail, then apply the H2O2 on top of the vinegar. It does not matter which one you apply first.

By the way, peracetic acid is a good alternative to chlorine bleach for sterilizing nonporous (hard) household surfaces. For this application, just use plain white vinegar, not ACV. Peractic acid is actually a more powerful oxidizing agent than chlorine, yet it is not nearly as toxic as chlorine. (In fact, the breakdown products of peractic acid are completely nontoxic.) For large surfaces, such as bathtubs and kitchen counters, you may find it easiest to apply by putting the white vinegar in one spray bottle, and the H2O2 in another spray bottle; spray one and then the other. Again, it does not matter which one you spray first.

Tea Tree Oil

Posted by Heather (Santa Clara, CA) on 04/03/2007
★★★★★

Starting when i was very young i would get terrible athletes foot, so bad i could barely walk. I found out that all the messy creams help for short term, but it comes back. My mom heard about tea tree oil, which dries out your skin, and it cleared it up within a week. every once in a while i use it even when i don't have athletes foot just to make sure i don't get it again. it also clears up pimples you dilute about 1 drop with 2 of water, you have to dilute it if you use it on your face and a little bit really goes a long way.

White Vinegar

Posted by Richie (Newport, NC) on 02/28/2007
★★★★★

Great way to relax and get rid of athletes foot; find comfy spot to sit for 20 min., get container feet fit in, have close to hot water ready, white vinegar, sea salt. Sit down with feet in container, pour enough vinegar to cover feet, add sea salt, marinate for 5 min. the add water, sit for ten min., last 5 min brush feet with soft bristle brush while in water. Take out, dry, repeat for 2 to 3 days. Worked great for me and was also an excellent stress reliever.

Calcium

Posted by Jess (Victoria, British Columbia) on 02/09/2007
★☆☆☆☆

I had athletes foot, I never had it before so I used different creams from the drug store. THEN I got an itch on my hand and the skin started getting very red and pealing off there! I went to the drug store and they gave me a different athlete's foot cream to apply to both the foot and the hand. I did this and it got rid of athletes foot from my toes but only helped a little bit with my hand. It didn't go away on my hand, it stayed the same size on one part of my hand and grew BIGGER on another part and was spreading up my thumb. I had tried a few home remedies from your site, none worked too well: Cider Vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, Borax etc. Over four week later it was still the same, itching and very red and getting bigger and spreading to other parts of my hand! I was about to go to the doctor when 'that little voice inside' said take Coral Calcium. I did and after taking a double and sometimes TRIPLE dose within 3 days the itchy circle began to subside. The skin one week later is still a little pink from healing and the center is normal skin color but there's NO itch or flaking skin left anymore. Will continue with the Coral Calcium for another two weeks and ingest cider vinegar on a regular daily basis for the rest of my life.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Acv Research (Berkeley, Ca) on 03/29/2011

Do you need to use "new" ACV everytime you bathe your feet, or can you use the same ACV solution more than once. Thank you

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Jeff (Mnassas, VA)
★★★★★

Soak each foot in at least a 50/50 water/acv solution for 2 to 3 days, for 30 minutes each and you will rid your feet of any fungus/ athlete's foot and soften and exfoliate your skin to boot.

Garlic

Posted by Anonymous (USA)
★★★★★

I had athletes foot badly between two of my toes. I taped a cut piece of garlic onto the wound in the morning and looked at it the afternoon, and the skin was totally healed and looked like new. I couldn't believe it!

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Micheala (West Yorkshire) on 08/29/2017
★☆☆☆☆

Been using Apple Cider Vinegar for 2 weeks for Athlete's Foot. Nothing working. Having it on my hands and feet is getting too much for me. I feel like I want to claw them both off. Had every otc plus doctors strong steroid creams. Please someone give me an end to this. Had it for 2 years and I can't cope much more.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Becky (Ca) on 10/01/2017 31 posts

to Momma to many,

Can you be specific on a Calendula tincture? Perhaps from Amazon?

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Frustrated One (Indianapolis, In) on 01/26/2017
★☆☆☆☆

Hi,

I've treated my athletes foot for roughly four weeks. It's been awful! I started out using Lotrimin and two weeks later advanced to Lotrimin Ultra. My symptoms are itching, burning needle sensations. Visually my feet have dryness on both heels, and a little redness accompanied by splotchy skin. I started using ACV roughly four days ago, I'm still experiencing symptoms. I'm trying to do everything I can, I tend to be OCD. I soak for almost an hour once a day. Please help, I've never experienced anything like this.

Thanks,

Frustrated One

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Jeanna (Birmingham) on 07/13/2017

Try Lamasil. It worked for me better than lotrimin.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by George Sydney Abugri (Ghana) on 12/30/2017

It is very effective against athlete's foot but note that the generic name of the drug is LAMISIL {Terbinafine.}

Castor Oil and Liquid Paraffin

Posted by Mandandi (Gaborone) on 05/09/2016
★★★★★

After cleaning systemic candida, I found that I had recurring athlete's foot- due to not cleaning my shoes and socks enough with other remedies.

I then used mix of castor oil (which was excellent on its own but requires deep massaging in), and liquid paraffin. The mixture works faster and is more efficiently, killing new infections before they even show up. I only see dry skin before I see the inflammation.

Borax

Posted by Vj (Manchester, Uk) on 01/10/2017

Hi Mama,

Thanks you for your post above, that is very interesting. I have a case of athletes foot now which has lingered for 2 months despite me using the usual topical creams (daktarin, lamisil, caneston). So now I am looking for alternatives. I have just ordered the Borax. I plan to put some in shoes/socks, but also to take tiny amounts with water like you suggest. Do you have any specific tips on this? For example how many weeks did you do this for with your husband? And is it safe?

Thanks in advance

VJ.

Fresh Aloe Vera

Posted by Mmsg (Somewhere, Europe) on 03/09/2014

Lady Mars, I've tried Aloe from my plant for a good many things and it never worked for anything, from burns to eczema etc. Do I have the wrong plant? It's Aloe Vera with green-grey spikey leaves. I've seen the same plant with speckled leaves, are they better?

Apple Cider Vinegar, Garlic

Posted by Hiker (Vista, Ca/usa) on 09/05/2011

Thanks for the tip Debbie. I thought that might be the case that the nail needed to grow out before improvement would be seen.

Vetericyn

Posted by Lee (Fruita, Colorado Usa) on 08/29/2011
★★★★★

I have fought with severe athlete's foot for 12 long years. Have used prescriptions, OTC remedies, hydrogen peroxcide, and vinegar. It helped, but did not cure. In desperation I tried a veterinary product used to treat fungus infections in animals. It is called Vetericyn, and comes in a spray bottle. I used it 3 times a day for a week. Just simply sprayed it on all over my feet and up to my knees. It began clearing up overnight! It's been a month now, and I am not bothered with athlete's foot anymore. I cant explain it, I just found that it works.

Vetericyn

Posted by Helen (San Diego, Ca) on 08/22/2012
★★★★★

This post has been the answer to my prayers! I can't say explain how happy I am that I came across it. I'm a female, 26 years old, and have had athlete's foot for as long as I can remember. I've always been embarrassed about walking around barefoot or in sandals because of my dry, cracked, peeling feet. I had the mocassin type of athlete's foot (notice "had").

I tried the vinegar soaks, I tried vaporrub, diluted bleach, and hydrogen peroxide. All of which provided temporary relief but never cured the problem. Last year, I finally decided to take Lamisil pills and it did go away after a few months. I was very excited by the results, however, last month (6 months after finishing the treatment) it came back. I started noticing my feet were getting dry again and flaky until eventually it got worse, my foot looked like a freaking map with the skin between my toes peeling in a circular pattern! All that money gone to waste!

Two weeks ago I came on this website to look for another remedy and came across this post. After doing some research and reading all the great reviews online, I ordered a 16 oz bottle and as soon as I received it, I started spraying it on my feet 3 times a day. After 2 days, while in the shower, I noticed my skin peeling a lot more than usual. I used a foot file to scrape it off and continued with the spray. I'm not exagerrated when I say that after 4 days of using the product the cracks and peeling between my toes and along my feet had completely healed! It's like they were never there! It was absolutely amazing to see the results. Today marks a week since I started using the product and my feet are healthy and smooth. Vetericyn truly is a miracle in a bottle! I plan on using it every now and then to prevent any reoccurences.

Vetericyn

Posted by Kim (Santa Fe, Nm) on 03/17/2013
★☆☆☆☆

I tried this and it did not help my athlete's foot. It is pricey so I might just give the product to someone with a dog so it doesn't go to complete waste.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Barb (Julian, Pa, Usa) on 01/04/2011
★★★★☆

I have been using this for weeks and have begun to see an improvement. I believe mine is the moccasin type, as I had large blisters on the bottom of my feet and along the sides of my feet. Unfortunately it has spread to my leg, and I now have crusty scales on that leg. No matter what I do, they just keep coming back and it is not improving at all on my leg. My foot and leg are so swollen, that it is difficult to wear shoes. Nothing my doctor gave me has helped, and I don't see a dermatologist for another month. Any suggestions as to how I can get some of the swelling down in my foot and leg?

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Kenny (Alfred, New York, Usa) on 08/31/2010

Is there truly a positive difference between Apple Cider Vinegar and white vinegar? I've been suffering from the moccasin type for 8 months.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Matt (Santo Domingo, Costa Rica) on 07/31/2010

Since moving to Costa Rica 4 years ago, I have had severe athletes foot. I don't know why, but only my left foot has it(never my right foot). It is present in between the toes and along the sides of my toes. OTC solutions have not worked and are kind of expensive. My big toe and little toe nails have turned a dirty looking yellow(the 3 center toes are normal). The nails are brittle and distorted and twice as thick as normal nails. The quick underneath seems to be eaten up and now there is a space between my nail and toes. Today I am starting the Apple Cider Vinegar treatment(40% water/60% APC), 25 minutes/twice a day. I am also going to use baking soda in my shoes and maybe try cayenne pepper in my socks. Should I leave the Apple Cider Vinegar on my feet without rinsing, and then put my socks and shoes on, or should I rinse my feet off with water after each Apple Cider Vinegar treatment?

Vicks

Posted by Candy (Ofallon, Mo) on 02/03/2010
★★★★★

Athlete's foot: I have used vaporub on my feet for years, it cures this problem within a day or two, no waiting six weeks. Also when we were kids my parents would rub it on the inside of our throat if we had a sore throat, a sore throat was also gone in a day. This product probably works due to the euclyptus.There are a lot of these products in the store but the one that works must have euclyptus, mint, and camphor. It also make your dry feet very soft.

Vicks

Posted by Tina (Toledo, Ohio, Usa) on 06/24/2010
★☆☆☆☆

Vicks didn't work for me. Tried it for weeks. It did seem to slow down the fungus and moisten my feet but not get rid of it.

Vicks

Posted by Brenda (San Antonio, Texas) on 06/25/2010

i find the old saying if your feet stink you need zinc. at least 15 mgs a day with food or it will upset your stomach. also rubbing oil around and on your toes is a good way to fight the fungus. try mixing 10 drops of tea tree oil in 1 oz of olive oil.

Vicks

Posted by Jb (Central, Maryland) on 09/16/2011
★★★★★

Worked for me! I tried ACV first and got some relief, but it still hung around. Then I tried Listerine with the same results as the ACV. But the Vicks nailed it.

First I did a swab of Listerine, patted it dry, then applied Vicks. I wore socks at night (even though it was summer) and did the same routine in the morning with sneakers for running/working out, and then again after showering.

After a few days, I saw how improved it was so I just did the Vicks. After 7 days it was all gone. I now put the Vicks on two or three nights a week before bed as a preventative and for softness. That's it. And my feet are soft and smooth-- just lovely. Thanks for all the info on this site!

Tea Tree Oil

Posted by Bill (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) on 04/15/2012
★★★★★

I put tea tree oil on a cotton swab and wipe around my toes. Interestingly, after reading several posts, I just realized my out breaks occur after taking anti-inflamitories. Another must-do is wipe down your shoes and either wash socks in anti-bacterial soap, or lay out in the sun to disinfect them.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by No Lie (Atl, Ga) on 08/21/2011

try vick vapor rub it should do the trick

Hydrogen Peroxide

Posted by John (Winnipeg, Manitoba) on 12/09/2012

hello, you say you mix 50% water with 50% hydrogen peroxide but what grade of hydrogen peroxide? there is 35% food grade, there is 3% over the counter grade?

john

Urine

Posted by Joyce (Joelton, Tn) on 06/09/2009 490 posts

Kin, the answer is yes it can be. Urine can be used external on the face and hands, also can be taken internally. For more details on this go find yourself a copy of a book titled "Your Own Perfect Medicine", which is written on urine therapy. Very interesting reading. Seems it is effective against lots of things.

White Vinegar, Salt, Ginger Soak

Posted by Jason (Newport, Washington) on 04/17/2009
★★★★★

I recently had quite a case of athletes foot, that was spreading from my toes, to other parts of my foot, it was quite uncomfortable, and amazingly itchy to say the least.

I started doing research in to what might naturally treat it and came across a few options, here's what I did and it worked in less that 4 days.

Create a foot bath with 40 percent white vinegar, 60 percent hot water, then add around a table spoon of salt and a tea spoon of ginger powder. Soak your foot for 15 minutes or so giving it a break every so often. (you can use the same batch through out the day to save ingredients) Soak your foot a few times a day for a few days and your athletes foot will completely clear up, it is quite the amazing cure.

Thats it, I know this will work as well for you as it did for me! :)

Apple Cider Vinegar

Posted by Beverley (Leeds, Yorkshire, UK) on 04/03/2009

I've been reading the posts about apple cider vinegar and I have to say that I think whether or not it works may depnd on what type of athlete's foot you've got. For example, I've seen it work really well for people with toe-web athlete's foot, (the kind that infects the area around the toes), but I have Moccasin-type athlete's foot (which infects the soles of your feet and sometimes spreads to your hands), and ACV has no impact on it at all. I have also tried tea tree oil, and that doesn't appear to cure moccasin athlete's foor either. I've had it for about 4 years now and unfortunately, my overall experience has been that moccasin athlete's foot is much harder to cure and often dosn't respond to the home remedies you read about online. Also, while over the counter medicines can controll it - they don't seem able to cure it - I've tried all the brands I can find of creams, sprays and talcs. None helped.

My conclusion about Moccasin-type athlete's foot is that once it is severe, (i.e. when it has spread over most of the sole of one or both feet), you need prescription medication to cure it. Apparently, this is beacuse of the thickness of the skin on the soles of the feet (creams, oils etc won't penetrate it). I wish I was wrong, as I do prefer home remedies - but for moccasin athlete's foot my experience has been that a trip to the doctor really is necessary.

Urine

Posted by Joyce (Joelton, Tn) on 03/05/2009 490 posts

Hello Scott, Thought you might like to know that there is another theory of what is actually happening when an animal licks its wounds. Allegedly, licking the wound sends any pathogens present to the digestive tract where the immune system kicks in and starts producing antibodies against these pathogens to kill them off and bring about healing.

However I suspect that the saliva probably starts softening up the pathogens for the kill.

Bleach

Posted by Steve (Hernando, MS.) on 11/19/2008
★★★★★

I researched the Internet found that bleach CO. in the early days listed that it cured foot fungus the big Government & Doctors did not like this it takes Big Money from their Big Pockets, the FDA forced the Company's to remove it. Foot Fungus is treatable I have done this with Great results there are some side effects, the fungus tries to survive I got rashes up my legs & back I almost gave up but I refused I found this site and others I do this as often as I can and have great results my toenails use to be yellow and thick now they are pink and feel GREAT!
http://www.pedsforparents.com/articles/2822.shtml
http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-131080893.html

http://antinailfungus.com/toenail-fungus/bleach-for-toenail-fungal-infection

Good Luck!

Listerine

Posted by Jillian (San Jose, Ca) on 04/22/2010
★★★★★

I used listerine when both my big toenails became infected, thick, yellow, crusty, and painful. the listerine did the trick. 15 minute soak in pure mouth wash for a few nights. pain went away, and the infection stopped spreading. my doctor confirmed that the toenails were no longer infected. I just had to wait for the yellow toenails to grow out.

CAUTION. DON'T USE GREEN/BLUE varieties. My green feet were much harder to explain than my yellow toenails (but at least that faded after a week). Smells great, feels tingly fresh, and worked. :)