Athlete’s foot isn’t just limited to the locker room.  There are some great remedies out there, but the power of prevention is key.  In this article, we’ll show you how to get rid of Athlete’s foot symptoms and prevent it from happening again.

What is Athlete’s Foot?

Well, what you’re experiencing is actually a fungus called tinea pedis.  When this fungus takes hold, you’ll experience itchy, flaky skin, usually just between the toes, but it can spread to the soles and sides of your feet and even to the toenails.

The Best OTC Athlete’s Foot Treatment

If you’re looking for an Athlete’s Foot Cure at your drugstore, then pick up a tube of cream or ointment that contains the ingredient miconazole nitrate or tolnaftate.  Here’s the trick to these creams being an effective cure:  Don’t stop using them once you think the fungus is gone!  You have to keep it up for a good 6 weeks or so to permanently rid yourself of the tinea pedis.  Stop any sooner and the Athlete’s foot will  be back.

Make Your Own Paste

Baking Soda

Baking soda does more than absorb odors in your fridge.  Make a paste out of it by mixing 1 tablespoon with just enough water to bind it.  Then rub it into the affected parts of your foot.  Rinse and then dry.  Why’s it work?  It relieves the itch and burn between your toes with it’s drying and soothing properties.  Want to take this remedy up a notch?  Top it off with a dusting of powder, such as Gold Bond Medicated.  If you don’t have any, then plain, old cornstarch will also do the trick.

Soak Away The Itch And Burn

Tea

You can get a great deal of relief by making up a “tea bath”.  Just boil a saucepan of water and add 5 or 6 tea bags.  After 5 minutes, let it cool enough to soak your feet in.  Soak for 30 minutes.  Why’s it work?  Tea contains tannic acid, which acts as an astringent and will dry out those sweaty feet.

Salt

Make up a salt soak by placing a few teaspoons of salt in a pint of warm water.  By soaking your feet for 5-10 minutes, you will dramatically speed up the healing time.  Epsom salt will also work nicely.

Herbal Remedies

Tea-Tree Oil

For a soothing, healing rub, mix up equal parts tea-tree oil and olive oil and massage it into your skin twice a day.  Why’s it work?  Tea-tree oil is a natural antiseptic.  It’s antifungal, antibacterial properties along with the skin softening properties of the olive oil will get you on your way to recovery.  If you don’t have olive oil on hand, then use aloe gel instead.

Lavender

Lavender is used just like the tea tree oil above.  It’s antifungal properties work wonders.

Calendula

This stuff has been used for centuries because of it’s potent healing properties.  Both an antifungal and anti-inflammatory, you can find it in health food stores.

An Ounce Of Prevention…

One very important thing to keep in mind is that the fungus (tinea) that causes Athlete’s Foot is the same one that causes jock itch.  Make sure that you give your hands a good washing after using any of these remedies.  We wouldn’t want it to spread now would we?

• Dry your feet thoroughly when you get out of the shower.  If you shower in a place that others use, too, like the gym, then consider wearing shower slippers to keep from becoming infected.

• Let your feet breathe.  Steer clear of man-made fibers when it comes to socks and only wear shoes that allow your feet to breathe, such as one‘s made of canvas or leather.

• If your feet have a tendency to sweat a lot, then don’t wear the same shoes 2 days in a row.  Why?  Because it takes at least a day for your sweaty shoes to dry out.

• To kill off fungus spores, spray the insides of your shoes with Lysol or at least give them a dusting of antifungal powder when you take them off.

When To Call The Doctor

If your Athlete’s Foot is not responding to any home remedies after 3 weeks, you may have to see a doctor.  Athlete’s Foot, left untreated can cause skin to crack and become infected.  Another warning sign would be if your feet start to ooze or you begin to see red streaks appearing.