How to Help Athlete's Foot With Herbs
You don’t have to be an athlete to get athlete’s foot. This common fungal infection is officially called “Tinea pedis” and can be very annoying, itchy and worrisome. It often starts between the middle toes and spreads rapidly if left untreated. If you have athlete's foot, you can experience scaling, flaking and itching, sometimes accompanied by blisters and cracked skin. With the help of some common herbs such as tea tree, calendula and echinacea, you can begin to experience relief quickly—at least as quickly as with over-the-counter or prescription medications.
Things You'll Need
- Anti-fungal soap
- Aloe vera gel
- Tea tree oil
- Anti-fungal foot powder
- Calendula cream
Instructions
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To prevent athlete’s foot, keep shower areas clean and try to keep your feet and shoes as dry as possible at all times. If you know that a family member has athlete’s foot, be sure to apply a disinfectant spray each time that person uses the shower. Good foot hygiene can eliminate athlete’s foot.
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To kill the fungus, wash all socks, bedding and towels in very hot water. Change linens once each week and continue the hot water wash until the problem appears to be gone.
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Wash your feet with an anti-fungal soap, which is commercially available. Such soaps often contain tea tree oil and can be effective in controlling the fungus that is responsible for this ailment.
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Apply aloe vera gel to your entire foot after you bathe, leaving it on until it dries before you put on shoes and socks or bedroom slippers.
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Wash your bedroom slippers in very hot water, with 10 to 20 drops of tea tree oil in the washing machine.
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Purchase an anti-fungal foot powder. It will not only keep your feet dry, which is important in depriving the fungus of the moisture it needs to survive, but it can also help to heal your fungal infection.
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Apply echinacea or calendula cream to affected areas two to three times each day. Continue your treatment after your symptoms are gone because the fungus can easily return.
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Tips & Warnings
If you have old running shoes that you have worn when an athlete’s foot infection was occurring, replace them.
If your immune system is strong, you can ward off infections of this type. Eat well, get plenty of sleep and take immune boosting herbs such as echinacea or astragalus orally, in capsule, tea or tincture form, for two weeks periodically to help your immune system be its strongest.
Always consult a qualified health care practitioner before using any herb, especially if you are pregnant or nursing or if you are taking any prescribed medications.
If you don’t treat athlete’s foot promptly, it can spread to your toenails, causing a fungal infection that can be much more difficult to heal.
