How to Use Foot Baths for Athlete's Foot

Most cases of athlete's foot are relatively minor and easily treatable, but that doesn't mean they're not terribly itchy, painful and irritating. If you've come down with a case, you'll surely want to take care of it as quickly as possible. Athlete's foot is caused by a fungus, and fungi are very intolerant of harsh substances like bleach. If you're careful to dilute the bleach in enough water to make it gentle on your skin, you can rid yourself of the fungus and start feeling more like yourself in no time.

Things You'll Need

• Tub or basin
• Cooking pot
• 3/4 cup bleach
• Paper towels
• Wooden or plastic spoon

Instructions

1. Locate a tub, basin or other container that is large enough to accommodate both of your feet and about 1 gallon of water. Your best bet is to find a tub designed specifically for this purpose, but anything watertight, deep and with a flat bottom should work fine.

2. Measure about 1 gallon of water into a large cooking pot and bring it to a boil on your kitchen range. This step sterilizes the water, helping to ensure the purest foot bath possible.

3. Turn off the heat and allow the water to cool down significantly while it's still in the pot. When it is lukewarm, pour it into your foot bath tub.

4. Measure out 3/4 cup of bleach and pour it into the tub. Use a spoon to stir the liquid, taking care not to splash any over the sides.

5. Slowly lower your feet into the foot bath. Allow them to soak in the mixture for up to 15 minutes.

6. Remove your feet from the bath one foot at a time. As you raise each foot, keep it positioned over the tub so that the liquid will not drip onto the floor. Dry each foot with paper towels as you hold it over the tub.

7. Closely monitor your athlete's foot condition over the course of the next 3 days. If the fungus is still present after 3 days, or if it has worsened, consult a physician. If the condition has improved but has not gone away completely, consider repeating the foot bath procedure.

Tips & Warnings

• Severe cases can also be treated from the inside out by taking an over-the-counter oral anti-fungal capsule.

• You may be able to self-diagnose athlete's foot. It is characterized by itchy, cracked and reddish skin, and can cause your toenails to turn yellow if it is allowed to spread.

• If you drip the bleach solution onto a dyed carpet, it may leave permanent stains.

• Do not attempt this treatment if you have any open cuts or sores on your feet. The bleach will cause a terribly painful stinging sensation in your wounds.