Hello Tom66,
Athlete?s foot, as you probably already know, is caused by a
fungal infection, usually Tinea species. While there are numerous
products on the market, none can prevent a future recurrence. The
infection can be completely cleared, but upon re-exposure to the
fungus, one can become re-infected. I have included tips for
preventing re-infection further along in my answer.
?The fungus most commonly attacks the feet because shoes create a
warm, dark, and humid environment which encourages fungus growth.
The warmth and dampness of areas around swimming pools, showers, and
locker rooms are also breeding grounds for fungi. Because the
infection was common among athletes who used these facilities
frequently, the term "athlete's foot" became popular.
Not all fungus conditions are athlete's foot. Other conditions, such
as disturbances of the sweat mechanism, reaction to dyes or adhesives
in shoes, eczema, and psoriasis, may mimic athlete's foot.?
?It is not easy to prevent athlete's foot because it is usually
contracted in dressing rooms, showers, and swimming pool locker rooms
where bare feet come in contact with the fungus. However, you can do
much to prevent infection by practicing good foot hygiene. Daily
washing of the feet with soap and water; drying carefully, especially
between the toes; and changing shoes and hose regularly to decrease
moisture, help prevent the fungus from infecting the feet. Also
helpful is daily use of a quality foot powder.?
http://www.apma.org/s_apma/doc.asp?CID=146&DID=9386
?Tinea is a fungus that can grow on your skin, hair or nails. As it
grows, it spreads out in a circle, leaving normal-looking skin in the
middle. This makes it look like a ring. At the edge of the ring, the
skin is lifted up by the irritation and looks red and scaly. To some
people, the infection looks like a worm is under the skin. Because of
the way it looks, tinea infection is often called "ringworm." However,
there really isn't a worm under the skin.?
http://familydoctor.org/316.xml
Treatments:
==========
If over the counter (OTC) products don?t clear the infection after two
weeks, a visit to your doctor is called for, as it could be a
condition other than athlete?s foot. Whichever product(s) you select,
in order to work effectively, you must use the products exactly, and
as often as the label dictates.
?? Be careful in the shower!
While washing feet and wearing sandals are good, don't create more
orthopedic problems (e.g. fractures) by slipping. Get the no-skid
sandals.
? Even the cheaper medications work.
Don't be concerned about getting expensive medications, many of the
cheap ones are just the same. Ask the pharmacist for help finding an
athlete's foot medication.?
http://orthopedics.about.com/cs/toeproblems/ht/athletesfoot.htm
?Over the counter creams work well to help in the treatment of
athlete's foot. Usually these over the counter products, when used
properly, and sufficient in athlete's foot treatment. Prescription
treatments are usually not needed. Some of the most popular brand
names include Lamisil and Lotrimin. Try these athlete's foot creams,
but make sure you follow the instructions carefully.?
http://orthopedics.about.com/od/footankle/tp/athletesfoot.htm
?If you have a rash on your foot that doesn't improve or worsens after
you've taken self-care steps, see your doctor. See someone sooner if
you notice excessive redness, swelling, drainage or fever.?
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/athletes-foot/DS00317/DSECTION=5
?Fungicidal and fungistatic chemicals, used for athlete's foot
treatment, frequently fail to contact the fungi in the horny layers of
the skin. Topical or oral antifungal drugs are prescribed with growing
frequency.
In mild cases of the infection it is important to keep the feet dry by
dusting foot powder in shoes and hose. The feet should be bathed
frequently and all areas around the toes dried thoroughly.?
http://www.apma.org/s_apma/doc.asp?CID=146&DID=9386
?For mild conditions, your doctor may advise you to apply a
prescription or over-the-counter antifungal ointment, lotion, powder
or spray. Most infections respond well to these topical agents, which
include:
? Clotrimazole (Lotrimin)
? Terbinafine (Lamisil AT)
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/athletes-foot/DS00317/DSECTION=8
Other over the counter remedies:
================================
You can purchase these remedies at most drugstores. I have posted
links so you can see and read about each product.
Blue Star (I used to laugh at their commercials, but I can vouch for
it's effectiveness!)
http://www.cvs.com/CVSApp/cvs/gateway/detail?prodid=630681
Tetrasil
http://www.myskincure.com/conditions/ringworm.html
Dermasil
http://www.dermisil.com/dermisil_af.htm
Fungicure
http://shop.store.yahoo.com/buyinprivate/funfinandtoe.html
Lamisil
http://hocks.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=HOP&Product_Code=4196796&source=pricegrabber&kw=4196796
Lotrimin
http://www.cvs.com/CVSApp/cvs/gateway/detail?prodid=181533
Neosporin Athlete?s Foot Cream
http://www.cvs.com/CVSApp/cvs/gateway/detail?prodid=309678
Tolnaftate Antifungal Athlete's Foot Cream
http://www.americarx.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=35912
Desenex Athlete?s Foot Cream
http://www.americarx.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=14916
A list of foot powders can be found here:
http://about.pricegrabber.com/search_attrib.php/page_id=1275/form_keyword=foot%20powder
Prescription Oral Medications
? Itraconazole (Sporanox)
? Fluconazole (Diflucan)
? Terbinafine (Lamisil)
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/athletes-foot/DS00317/DSECTION=8
Folk Remedies
=============
Alcohol, rubbing Diluted rubbing alcohol can be dabbed on the
affected area with cotton balls and allowed to dry.
Aloe vera Apply aloe vera gel twice daily.
Apple cider vinegar Soak your feet in a 50/50 mixture of apple cider
vinegar and water for ten minutes daily up to ten days or until
symptoms disappear. This will relieve the itching and peeling of
athlete's foot.
? Soak a cotton ball in vinegar, coat the fungus and let dry. Apple
cider vinegar has antifungal properties.
Baking soda Soak the feet in a solution of baking soda and water for
about 30 minutes daily. This will change the pH of the skin. Also
sprinkle baking soda on the feet and in your shoes and socks. It will
soak up some of the perspiration and help neutralize the skin at the
same time.
Bleach Make a solution of two tablespoons up to half a cup of laundry
bleach to a gallon of warm water and soak your feet for 10-15 minutes
twice a day. This should clear up athlete's foot in a week or ten
days.
Boric acid Wash the feet in a mild solution of boric acid.
Chaparral An effective herbal remedy uses chaparral. Mix six
tablespoons of dried chaparral to one quart of boiling cheap whiskey
or wine; reduce and simmer for 20 minutes; remove and steep for 8
hours. DO NOT use aluminum cookware! Soak your feet in this solution.
Cinnamon Another kitchen medicinal remedy uses cinnamon. Bring 4 cups
of water to a boil, add 8-10 broken sticks of cinnamon, reduce heat to
low and simmer for five minutes; remove and steep, covered, for 45
minutes. Use as a foot bath. Cinnamon effectively combats both yeast
and fungal infections.
DMSO (dimethyl sulfoxide) This is the most effective fungicide for
athlete's foot. Use twice daily at half strength or stronger. See our
Product.
Garlic One method is to rub a clove of raw garlic on the fungus. A
second method is to put some freshly crushed garlic on the affected
area and leave it on for half an hour; wash with water. Do this once a
day for a week and the athlete's foot should be gone. If the garlic
burns, remove, wash with water and try again with diluted garlic
juice. You may have to play around with this remedy to get the potency
that is right for you. Garlic is an excellent antibiotic, and studies
have shown that its compounds can kill the fungus that causes
athlete's foot.
? Soak your feet in a basin of warm water to which you have added some
rubbing alcohol and several cloves of peeled, crushed garlic.
Garlic powder Dust your feet twice daily with garlic powder or wash
with garlic juice.
Ginger is a strong antifungal. Boil a cup of water, add one ounce of
chopped fresh ginger, and simmer for twenty minutes. Let it cool and
apply to your feet twice a day.
Goldenseal/thyme Make an herbal tea foot bath of goldenseal and thyme,
or a half and half mixture of thyme and chamomile teas. Soak once a
day.
Grapefruit seed extract This extract is a powerful all-around
antimicrobial product and is an excellent disinfectant. Make a
solution of 100 drops in two ounces of water and apply to the affected
areas with a cotton ball two or three times a day. See our Product.
Honey Raw honey rubbed on the infected areas before bedtime and left
overnight has also been found to be effective. Cover the feet with an
old sock.
Jewelweed Rub juice from this plant, also known as impatiens or
touch-me-not, on the infected area.
Lavender/myrrh oil combination has anti-fungal properties, and may be
helpful with dry and cracked skin associated with athlete's foot. This
combination can be found in commercial remedies, or you may add 10
drops of each to 1/4 cup of aloe vera juice and apply three times
daily.
Molkosan, a product derived from concentrated whey, the by-product of
cheese manufacture, has been used effectively against fungal
infections. The suggested use is to soak an absorbent cotton pad or
cloth in Molkosan, attach it to the affected area, and leave it on
overnight. Also recommended is an African plant remedy, Spilanthes,
alternated with Molkosan. Bioforce Cream is recommended for use during
the day. The good results may be from the lactic acid and lactic
enzymes.
Neem oil Neem (Azadirachta indica) is valued in Ayurvedic medicine for
its varied healing properties due to its anti-bacterial, anti-fungal,
and anti-viral capabilities. A cousin of mahogany, neem is a tropical
evergreen tree native to India and Myanmar. Over 60 medicinal uses
have been documented for neem so far - such as acne, eczema,
psoriasis, cold sores, dandruff, athlete's foot, ulcers, ringworm, and
gingivitis, to name a few. For athlete's foot, mix 1 tablespoon of
neem oil with 1/2 cup of a carrier oil, such as olive or almond, and
apply to the affected area twice a day. If you have sensitive skin or
if irritation develops, dilute the neem with more of the carrier oil.
Onion Juice Apply onion juice twice daily.
Salt A mixture of two teaspoons of salt to a pint of warm water is
another good soaking solution. Soak your feet for 10-15 minutes and
dry thoroughly. The salt kills the fungus and reduces perspiration.
Tea tree oil derived from the leaves of the native Australian
Melaleuca alternifolia tree, contains antiseptic compounds that are a
very effective skin disinfectant. Depending on severity, use 5-15%
solutions daily, diluting the tea tree oil with olive oil. Rubbing
some on the affected area with a cotton ball several times a day for
three to five days should eliminate the problem. See our Product.
More can be found here:
http://www.health911.com/remedies/rem_athle.htm
Prevention
==========
?? When you're at home, take your shoes off and expose your feet to the air.
? Change your socks and underwear every day, especially in warm weather.
? Dry your feet carefully (especially between the toes) after using a
locker room or public shower.
? Avoid walking barefoot in public areas. Instead, wear "flip-flops,"
sandals or water shoes.
? Don't wear thick clothing for long periods of time in warm weather.
It will make you sweat more.
? Throw away worn-out exercise shoes. Never borrow other people's shoes.
? Check your pets for areas of hair loss. Ask your veterinarian to
check them too. It's important to check pets carefully, because if you
don't find out whether they're causing your fungal infection, you may
get it again from them, even after treatment.?
http://familydoctor.org/316.xml
Excellent prevention tips can be found on the Mayo Clinic site:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/athletes-foot/DS00317/DSECTION=9
Wearing sandals similar to these when at public pools, gyms, etc. can
help prevent infection:
http://www.shoes.com/product.asp?p=5002981%7EMens%7CAthletic&variant_id=03380&partnerid=PriceGrabber&CMP=OTC-PriceGrabber
Hope you find relief with the products above! Good luck!
If any part of my answer is unclear, please request an Answer
Clarification. I will be happy to assist you further, before you rate
this answer.
Sincerely, Crabcakes
Search Terms
============
Tinea pedis
Athlete?s foot + remedies |
