If you've got an itch on your foot that you can’t help
scratching, then you might have a dreaded case of athlete’s foot. But there’s
no need to worry because here are five ways that you can treat yourself—no
doctor and no prescriptions needed.
Head over to the store
Your best cure for athlete’s foot might be available at your
local grocery mart or drug store. Look for creams and ointments that contain
clotrimazole or miconazole as their active ingredient. These are topical creams
that can be directly applied to the feet.
All you need to do is reapply the cream after you shower to
clean, dry feet and then cover with a pair of cotton socks. The cream should be
reapplied two to three times a day after that for about two to three weeks.
Going the natural route
Another great way to treat athlete’s foot is similar to the
store method, but with a more natural oil. Tea tree oil is known for its
antifungal properties and works to destroy the fungus on the feet.
You’ll need to start with clean and dry feet and then apply
the oil to the affected areas. You can do this several times a day for as long
as it takes to cure the symptoms.
And it makes your feet smell great.
Cures from the kitchen
When you want to get rid of your athlete’s foot, you may
just have to open up a few cupboards. Both baking soda and vinegar have been
shown to help with treating this fungal condition—though not at the same time.
For the baking soda, you can soak the feet in a mixture of
the powder and warm water. And if you have apple cider vinegar around, use that
instead of the baking soda.
Getting your feet clean of fungus
Some will tell you that soaking your feet in bleach is also
a good alternative for treating athlete’s foot. However, this has to be done
carefully or you might injure your feet. You should only use two tablespoons of
regular laundry bleach in a gallon of warm water.
Soak your feet for ten minutes and you can see results
within a week’s time.
Scaring away the itchiness and redness
And while garlic is great for vampires, it’s even better for
athlete’s foot. This is because the antibiotic ingredients in the garlic help
to cure the infection. Just rub a clove of garlic (one that’s been cut in half)
over the affected area a few times per day.
But with all of these ways of treating athlete’s foot, the
best advice is to avoid getting it in the first place. Make sure that your feet
are kept dry and avoid walking on your bare feet in conditions that are likely
to harbour the fungus—public showers and shoe stores where you try on the shoes
without a barrier.
And of course, good hygiene will always keep your feet clean
and happy, and hopefully free from itching.
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