Tinea pedis is the fungi that causes athlete’s foot and targets the nails, skin and hair, causing skin to redden, crack, burn, scale and itch. When the fungus invades the area between the toes, the symptom is itchy, flaking skin. Sometimes tinea stays between the toes, but it may also appear on the soles and sides of the feet and even spread to the toenails.
Severe cases of athlete’s foot can be accompanied by oozing blisters. Tinea pedis thrives in warm, moist places and the feet, often confined in sweaty shoes and socks, are an ideal breeding ground.
This fungus can be easily picked up through walking on floors where others have trod who have athlete’s foot, so it is important to always wear shoes, slippers or sandals in these areas.
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Natural remedies for athlete’s foot
Shoes should be changed at least twice a day during hot weather and when the feet sweat a lot and allowed to dry out thoroughly before wearing again. Socks should also be changed at least twice a day.
Keeping the feet clean and dry is important as this provides an environment where tinea pedis cannot survive. Use calendula powder after washing the feet as this is antifungal, will absorb excess moisture and contains no talcum powder which has been proved to be carcinogenic.
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Wash bed sheets and towels often when suffering from athlete’s foot to prevent re-infection. Also keep floors very clean in bathrooms and bedrooms and always wear slippers to prevent re-infection and infecting others.
NOTE: After using any of the following remedies always dry the feet thoroughly then dust the affected area with a natural talc-free powder such as arrow root, bicarbonate of soda, calendula powder or corn flour to soak up any excess moisture.
Apple cider vinegar is a powerful cleanser with antifungal properties. Soak the feet at night in a bowl of hot water to which a tables spoon of apple cider vinegar has been added along with a tablespoon of olive oil. Then dry the feet thoroughly. Afterwards, wearing a pair of thin cotton socks to bed can help to stop reinfection by Tinea pedis.
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Alum root powder has astringent and antiseptic properties and hence inhibits the growth of bacteria and fungi. Mix one teaspoon of alum powder in one cup of warm water. Wash the feet with this solution. After 15 to 20 minutes, dry the feet thoroughly and then sprinkle some alum powder on them. Do this once daily.
Arrow root can be used to dust the feet and inside shoes to remove excess moisture.
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Basil: Make a basil tea by steeping the leaves in hot water for 20 minutes and dab onto affected areas or simply add some basil leaves to a foot soak.
Bicarbonate of soda is a powerful fungi killer and can be used as a paste to rub onto feet and left for 10 minutes before washing off, drying and then dust with more bicarbonate of soda powder, arrowroot or corn flour.
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Black walnut tincture can be applied daily with cotton wool to eliminate fungal infections.
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Borage oil may be applied to areas of fungal infection daily until it has cleared up.
Calendula, commonly known as marigold, has been valued for centuries as a topical treatment for wounds and skin conditions as it has both antifungal and anti-inflammatory powers. Rub calendula ointment on the affected areas, especially between the toes. Calendula powder can be purchased which is a good remedy to use once feet are cleaned and dried. Buy Calendula powder from Amazon
Clay powder poultice. Purchase clay in powder form from a health food store, soak in water in a glass container for two hours, then apply directly to the affected skin. Leave on for 15 minutes then wash off and dry thoroughly.
Coconut oil has powerful antifungal properties and can be rubbed on the feet, especially between the toes before dusting with corn flour or added to the bowl of hot water to soak the feet in.
Common stinging nettle: The juice of nettle leaves as a tea or a decoction of the root can be used as a wash for fungal infections.
Corn flour can be used to dust the feet and inside shoes and boots to keep them dry after all the natural treatments listed here.
Epsom salts (magnesium sulphate crystals) fight microbial infections and neutralise foot odour and are also soothing for aching feet. Mix two teaspoons of Epsom salt in half a bucket of hot water. Soak the feet in the solution for 10 to 15 minutes. Then dry thoroughly and dust the feet with a talc-free natural powder.
Figs and fig leaves can be used as an antifungal poultice.
Garlic has powerful antifungal properties, and the powder can be used as a paste with any vegetable or coconut oil or some crushed cloves can be added to a foot soak. Consuming three or four cloves a day can help the body fight off many types of infections.
Geranium essential oil in a coconut or olive oil base can be applied daily.
Ginger is an effective solution for foot odour as it inhibits bacterial and fungal growth and also removes toxins. It also has anti-inflammatory properties so can ease foot pain. Make a puree out of a medium sized ginger root. Steep the puree in a cup of hot water for 10 to 15 minutes. Use a coffee filter to strain the solution. Use the smooth liquid to massage the feet gently each night before going to bed. Repeat the process daily for two weeks to get positive results. Alternatively use ginger powder. Consuming ginger daily is highly beneficial and can help relieve pain and thin the blood.
Lavender oil has powerful anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties: Make a massage oil by adding three drops of lavender oil to one teaspoon of carrier oil (any vegetable oil or coconut oil will do). Rub into the infected skin daily.
Lemongrass mixed with pure coconut oil and apply as a liniment. Add marigold for a more potent healer of fungal infection.
Mustard oil or powder can be added to a foot soak for additional fungus killing power or make a paste with coconut or olive oil and rub into feet and allowing to dry before washing off and drying feet thoroughly.
Neem leaf tea; make a tea by steeping chopped neem leaves in hot water for 20 minutes. Then strain and apply the liquid to the affected area. Allow to dry then dust with a natural talc-free powder.
Olive oil helps to soften skin hardened by athlete’s foot and allows the skin to absorb the other remedies on this list and so should be used in conjunction with any of them.
Oregano oil and olive oil: A mixture of one teaspoon of olive oil and two drops of oregano oil can also be applied.
Sage leaves contain tannic acid that helps reduce sweat that contributes to foot odour, and it has antibacterial and antifungal properties. Place dried ground sage inside shoes and socks to absorb the odour and leave a more pleasant scent. Alternatively soak the feet for 15 minutes in sage tea and drink a cup of sage tea before going to bed.
Sea salt. Add a tablespoon to a hot bowl of water with olive or coconut oil, soak the feet until the eater turns cold then dry the feet and dust with a natural talc-free powder.
Tea contains tannic acid, a natural astringent that works wonderfully to dry out sweaty feet. Steep five tea bags in a litre of boiling water for five minutes. Let cool to lukewarm, then soak the feet in this “tea bath” for 30 minutes before drying the feet thoroughly and dusting with a natural talc-free powder.
Tea tree oil is particularly effective at eliminating athlete’s foot. Add to baths and foot soaks or, for a soothing, healing treatment, mix tea-tree oil with the same amount of olive oil and rub the combination into the affected area twice a day. Then dry the feet thoroughly and dust with corn flour.
Turmeric: Prepare a paste-like mixture by mixing turmeric powder and water. Apply this paste on the affected area for some time until it dries. Finally, wash it off with water to ease the symptoms and remove infections, especially in nails. A combination of turmeric and basil can also treat the infection.
Yoghurt, plain with live acidophilus bacteria is an instant remedy for athlete’s foot. Dab the yogurt on the infected areas, let dry, then rinse off.
Internal remedies for fungal infections
There are many internal natural remedies than can help fight fungal infections. See>> Fungal and yeast infections
Related subjects
- A-Z of ailments
- Bone and joint disorders (arthritis, rheumatism)
- Cramps
- Foot disorders
- Gout
- Nerve disorders (peripheral neuropathy)
- Pain and inflammation
- Skin disorders (warts)
- Sports nutrition
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