Athlete’s foot itch or tinea pedis, is a fungal infection that occurs in the foot, but can quickly spread to your groin areas, palms, and the skin of other parts, if not taken care of. That brings us to these home remedies for athlete’s foot itch that will prevent the infection from spreading and heal the affected area quickly.
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Cause of athlete’s foot infection
Athlete’s foot infection is caused by a fungus, tinea pedis. Tinea pedis loves growing and spreading in moist places especially if the areas are warm. This is why it develops in our feet since it is shielded by socks and shoes. This makes our feet the perfect breeding place for tinea pedis.
Symptoms of athlete’s foot infection
The most common signs of athlete’s foot infection are,
- Burning sensation
- Excessive itchiness around and between the toes
- Formation of blisters
- Dry skin
- Yellowing of toe nails
- Peeling off of skin
Risk factors
The risk of developing the athlete’s foot itch intensifies if and when you sweat excessively. Also, if you have a weakened immune system, then the chances of getting an athlete’s foot itch increases.
The other risk factors are minor injuries or cuts in the feet and/or the toe nails, never airing out the shoes, wearing closed shoes for too long, and leaving the feet wet for a long period of time.
Also, athlete’s foot itch is more common among men than women, but the reason behind this is still not known. It could be because men generally wear closed shoes more than women.
Tenia pedis is a fungal infection, and so like all other fungal allergies, it spreads from one person to the other. It is contagious, and when someone comes in contact with a contaminated area, he or she is most likely to develop the infection themselves. That makes healing the infection even more important.
A good hygiene, foot care ritual and skin care can ensure that you do not get athlete’s foot itch. But with these home remedies you will be able to cure the condition faster.
Home remedies for athlete’s foot itch
Here are the 10 most effective natural remedies that help heal an athlete’s foot itch.
1. Garlic
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According to experts, garlic contain ajoena, a compound that makes garlic antifungal as well as antibacterial. Just adding two cloves of garlic to your everyday food will quicken the curing process of athlete’s foot itch and other fungal infections.
To try garlic as a home remedy for athlete’s foot itch, take two cloves of garlic and crush them well. Now add two drops of olive oil and prepare a paste. Apply this paste on the skin area affected by the infection. Do not rub. You need to leave the paste on for about 25 to 30 minutes. Now wash out with lukewarm water and an antifungal soap. Be sure to dry your feet thoroughly. While drying, do not rub, but pat gently.
This treatment should be done once every single day for as long as it takes for the infection to cure.
2. Salt
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The second remedy on our list of natural treatments for athlete’s foot itch. The fungus tenia pedis is cured by salt, and it also prevents the infection from occurring again.
In a bucket pour some warm water. To this, add 6 spoons of salt. Now soak your feet in this solution for 10 minutes and then dry your feet thoroughly using a soft and clean towel. Now sprinkle some baking soda on your feet to get rid of the extra moisture.
You should practice this treatment five times a day until you observe positive results. If you have open sores, then do not use this remedy as it can inflame the area and aggravate the condition further.
3. Tea Tree Oil
The third home remedy is tea tree oil. Tea tree oil cures athlete’s foot itch because it is an effective antiseptic.
Tea tree oil kills tenia pedis and averts it from spreading to other parts.
Mix olive oil and tea tree oil in a ratio 1:1. Now apply the mixture on the infected area two times a day. This treatment should be followed for a month or two to treat the infection and also prevent it from occurring again.
You can also mix tea tree oil and aloe vera gel in the ratio of 3:1. Apply the mix on your athlete’s foot itch two times a day.
This treatment should be followed for two months for best results.
4. Tea
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Tea bags help heal athlete’s foot itch because of the tannic acid in them. Tannic acid makes tea a natural astringent, which averts fungal activity and also prevents an infection from spreading by keeping the feet dry and moisture-free.
To use it as a remedy, all you need to do is steep around 5 black tea bags in a container of boiling water. Leave it undisturbed for about 5 minutes. Once the water cools, soak your infected foot in the water for 30 minutes and then dry them thoroughly.
This remedy needs to be practiced two times a day for a month and a half.
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5. Cinnamon
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Another effective home remedy for athlete’s foot itch is the antifungal and antiperspirant cinnamon.
To make the best out of it, take about 10 cinnamon sticks and break them into small pieces. Now add these to about 3 cups of water and bring the container to boil. Simmer the solution for about 3 to 4 minutes. Remover the container from fire, and steep it for half an hour. Now soak your feet in this water once it is soothingly warm. Soak for 30 minutes and then pat dry.
This remedy should be done once every day, preferably before you hit the bed. Also do not wear socks while sleeping because that will spread the infection faster due to the excess moisture.
6. Olive Leaf
The next remedy is olive leaf, which is antifungal plus antimicrobial, making it an ideal treatment for athlete’s foot itch.
It kills tenia pedis effectively, and prevents it from spreading.
To use it as a remedy, take a few olive leaves. Wash them and then crush them to form a consistent paste. Now with your hands (make sure they are clean) or cotton balls, apply the olive leaf paste on the infected area. Leave it on for about 30 minutes. You can even cover the area with take for half an hour. With lukewarm water, rinse out the paste and then pat your feet dry.
To get rid of the problem of athlete’s foot infection, you need to practice this treatment two times a day for a week or two.
7. Onion
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Onions are antibiotic and antifungal in nature, which makes them a very relevant home remedy for athlete’s foot itch. They destroy the fungus and also avert it from spreading further.
Take two medium-size onions. Peel them and then grind in a mixer. Strain the onion juice and keep it separately. Now wash your feet with an antifungal soap. Without drying the feet apply the juice on the affected area. You should leave it on for about 30 minutes. Now with lukewarm water, wash the area. Using a clean and soft towel, pat the feet dry. You can apply some talc to keep the affected area moisture free.
This remedy should be followed two times a day for as long as it takes for the infection to heal.
8. Baking Soda
The last remedy on our list today is baking soda. Baking soda neutralizes the acid-base level of skin, thus counterbalancing the pH level of the skin. This, in turn, treats athlete’s foot infection.
Also, another reason why baking soda is so effective on an athlete’s foot itch is that it absorbs extra moisture very quickly, thus preventing the formation of a fungal infection.
To half a cup of water, add two teaspoons of baking soda. Use this paste to rub between your toes. Do not rub rigorously. Leave it on for about 2 to 3 minutes and then wash out with lukewarm water. With a clean soft towel, dry your feet thoroughly. You should follow this remedy at least twice a day for as long as it takes for the infection to cure.
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That is all we have on today’s home remedies for athlete’s foot itch. We hope these will help cure your condition and prevent it from spreading. If despite using these natural treatments, your itch is not cured, then you should visit your doctor immediately.
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