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Foot fungus is quite common and a highly infectious disease that can spread easily and expand the area of infection, if not treated early. The fungus named dermatophytes enters the foot and causes foot fungus. Sometimes yeast and mold can also cause foot fungus. You are likely to catch this fungus from warm, humid and wet environment like wet socks and shoes, play ground, swimming pool, bathroom etc. Infection spreads when your skin comes in direct contact with contaminated surface or object.
The symptoms of foot fungus include dry and irritated skin that causes burning, itching and redness in the skin of the feet where infection starts. Cracking, peeling, blistering and bleeding of the skin can occur. This skin condition is more common amongst the elderly and people with impaired immune system and diabetes.
Home Remedies For Foot Fungus
There are many over-the-counter medicines that can help with the disappearance of symptoms for sometime but the best remedies that can cure foot fungus are found in our homes. Try these home remedies to treat and cure foot fungus:
White Vinegar/ Apple Cider Vinegar
Vinegar is most effective home remedy for foot fungus and other infectious skin diseases. You can soak your feet in either white vinegar or apple cider vinegar for half an hour or at least 20 minutes after mixing it with water. Take four parts of water and one part of vinegar and soak your foot well. After you are done, rinse your foot and dry properly. Vinegar can treat foot fungus effectively because it contains natural acids that create an acidic environment in which fungus cannot live. This has been a tried and tested remedy for ages for soothing and healing the infection.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil has antibacterial properties that can kill the fungus and help to cure foot fungus effectively. Soak your foot in warm water after adding few drops of tea tree oil for 15 minutes. You can also apply diluted tea tree oil on the infected area directly.
Topical Applications
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice contains both antifungal and antiseptic properties. The citric acid contained in lemon juice will restrict the fungus from spreading. Apply lemon juice on the affected toe and feet directly or prepare a warm soak by mixing 1 tbsp baking soda along with fresh juice of a lemon.Or mix equal amount of olive oil to the fresh juice of a lemon and massage on the infected area. These are the effective ways to cure foot fungus when applied regularly.
Vapor Rub
Rubbing vapor rub after soaking and drying the feet has been found beneficial for many sufferers of foot fungus, though there is no clinical evidence present to confirm its effectiveness. But it contains ingredients like camphor, thymol and menthol which have shown effective results in fighting toe nail or foot fungus.
Lavender Oil
Lavender oil also contains antibacterial and healing properties and is very powerful for curing foot fungus. Mix lavender oil with oregano oil in equal portions and apply on the infected toes and feet to find relief from itching, burning and infection.Fungal infections in the feet and toes are highly contagious and may be difficult to cure using only one method of treatment. If one method does not work efficiently, switch to a different method.
