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The feet are often affected by fungal infections, due to a number of predisposing factors, such as excess sweating, inadequate footwear, and insufficient hygiene.
While in extreme cases you’ll need to visit your doctor, you should try one of these home remedies for foot fungus as soon as you see signs of it.
When a fungal infection occurs on your feet, it can extend and affect the toenails as well. Left untreated, the infection will only progress and increase the risk of complications.
Unfortunately, many of the treatments recommended for such fungal infections present a number of discomforting side effects. In this situation, it might be best to turn to home remedies. See the benefits that natural treatments have to offer.
Best Home Remedies For Foot Fungus
1. Soak with Apple Cider Vinegar
The acidic properties of the apple cider vinegar will destroy the fungus, as well as prevent it from spreading.
According to a study published in the International Journal of Current Research, apple cider vinegar is an efficient natural remedy against fungal infection. The authors of the study drew attention to the fact that this remedy is efficient, without side effects.
It’s also a cost-effective alternative to more expensive medication.
You can prepare this homemade remedy by mixing apple cider vinegar with water (equal quantities). After you have combined the vinegar with water, all you have to do is soak your feet in the mixture (for about half an hour).
Always dry your feet thoroughly when you are done, in order to prevent the fungus from thriving.
Repeat the soak on a daily basis for several weeks, or until you will notice an improvement of your symptoms. Once your foot fungus is gone, make a habit of soaking your feet in this solution once a week. This will maintain fungus-free feet.
2. Scrub Your Feet with Rice Flour & Apple Cider Vinegar
As an alternative to the above-mentioned soak, you can try an exfoliating scrub. My favorite scrub only requires two ingredients: ground rice flour and apple cider vinegar.
This scrub has potent anti-fungal properties and can help you improve the symptoms caused by the fungal infection.
Mix the ground rice flour with apple cider vinegar until you obtain a thick paste. Apply the paste to your feet, covering all of the affected surfaces.
Massage your feet gently to help exfoliate the skin. This exfoliating scrub can eliminate the dead cells accumulated on the surface of the skin and prevent the fungus from spreading.
3. Toothbrush Scrub with Essential Oils Mixture
Interested in using a highly efficient homemade remedy against foot fungal infections? Try this essential oils mixture:
Essential Oils Scrub for Foot Fungus
Instructions
1. Apply this homemade essential oil solution to the affected parts of the foot.
2. Wait for about 10 minutes, until the oils penetrate the skin well.
3. Then use a toothbrush to perform a gentle scrub.
4. Repeat the procedure daily until you notice an improvement in your condition.
Notes
Instead of almond oil, you can use any other carrier oil, such as coconut oil, olive oil, etc.
Tea tree oil is well-known for its potent anti-fungal and antiseptic properties.
Oregano oil has natural antibiotic properties.
Lavender oil contains antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effects.
4. Soak with Baking Soda
A soak with baking soda is one of the best homemade remedies you can turn to, working to restore the healthy pH of the skin and help you escape other discomforting symptoms.
The soak can be useful in removing the foul odor associated with fungal infections as well. The antifungal properties of baking soda have been confirmed by a wide range of studies, including this one.
For the best results, mix the baking soda with 3% hydrogen peroxide, Epsom salt, and hot water.
You should soak your feet in the above mixture for about ten minutes. Then rinse off with clean water, then dry thoroughly.
Repeat the soak daily for several weeks or until you notice the desired improvements.
5. Massage with Lemon Juice and Olive Oil
According to this study, lemon juice has potent antimicrobial properties (efficient against different bacterial and fungal strains). This is, without a doubt, related to the acidity of the lemon juice, which can prevent the fungal microorganisms from thriving and spreading.
Apply lemon juice on the affected areas, using a cotton ball. Leave the lemon juice on for half an hour, then rinse off with lukewarm water.
As an alternative, you can mix freshly-squeezed lemon juice with olive oil and massage the affected part of the foot. You can leave the mixture on the skin for several hours (even overnight), before rinsing it off.
The lemon juice will work its magic against the fungal infection, while the olive oil will hydrate and soften the thickened skin.
Final Word
If you have been diagnosed with a foot fungal infection, the most important thing is not to wait and seek out treatment as soon as possible.
These home remedies for foot fungus offer the same benefits as many of the medicine currently on the market, without any risks of side effects. They not only attack the fungus, but they can also prevent it from spreading.
Of course, don’t forget to follow proper hygiene, in order to keep the infection under control. And, remember, you should avoid wearing synthetic socks and worn-out shoes. They can make the infection even worse and difficult to treat.