Tested athletes foot home remedy

Athlete’s foot, or tinea pedis in medical lingo, is a fungal infection of the top layers of the skin. The species of fungi infecting the skin go by the collective name of dermatophytes. Like most fungi, these thrive in damp, warm places. Other vulnerable areas are the groin (jock itch, or tinea cruris), and the head (ringworm, or tinea capitis).

The fungi that cause athlete’s foot can also infect the nails. Usually trauma (a nick in the nail or crush injury) occurs, giving the fungi an entry point. The nail yellows and thickens. Diagnosis is usually made by inspection, plus or minus microscopic examination of scrapings from under the nail.

These infections are contagious. In the case of athlete’s foot, you pick up the fungi when the soles of your feet come in contact with dead skin cells shed from an infected person. The sign of athlete’s foot is red, flaky, itchy skin on the soles and heels. The toe webs may be involved. The skin may also blister and crack.

The main treatment for fungal skin infections is application of an over-the-counter antifungal cream, such as miconazole or clotrimazole. It can take up to a month for skin to heal. Fungal nail infections, however, are more difficult to clear. Because topical antifungal creams often aren’t enough, doctors usually prescribe antifungal drugs taken by mouth.

RECIPES TO TREAT ATHLETE’S FOOT

Thyme and Oregano Footbath 
While it fights athlete’s foot, this footbath delivers delicious relaxation. 1 quart (946 ml) water 2 tablespoons (5 g) dried thyme leaves 2 tablespoons (6 g) dried oregano leaves ¼ cup (72 g) salt
PREPARATION AND USE:
Boil the water in a saucepan. Turn off the heat, add the herbs, cover, and steep for 20 minutes. Stir in the salt. Reheat over low heat until the water feels warm but not scalding. Strain into a basin big enough for your feet. Soak your feet for 15 to 20 minutes until the water is no longer warm. Dry your feet, including between your toes, with a clean towel. Then put the towel in the laundry to wash (do not reuse without laundering).
YIELD: 1 APPLICATION
How it works:
A lab experiment compared the fungicidal (fungus-killing) power of several essential oils. In order from highest to lowest fungicidal activity were oregano, thyme, cinnamon, lemongrass, clove, palmarosa, peppermint, lavender, geranium, and tea tree. Adding salt and heat to the essential oil solution amplified the fungicidal power. Note: Alternatively, you can put hot-to-tolerance water and salt in the foot basin. Stir in 5 drops of essential oil of oregano. You can use thyme essential oil instead, but only if you select the linalool type. The others are irritating to skin and mucous membranes. Other alternatives include peppermint and lavender oil.

Lifestyle Tip To prevent athlete’s foot, practice good hygiene:
• Keep your feet dry. If your feet sweat, change your socks. Put talcum powder or cornstarch in your shoes. • Wear socks that absorb and wick away moisture. Although many doctors recommend cotton, a good alternative is wool, which you can now find in all styles and thicknesses.
• In hot weather, wear sandals or other shoes with good ventilation.
• Air out shoes after each use.
• Don’t share socks, shoes, towels, or nail clippers with someone with athlete’s foot or a fungal nail infection.

When Simple Doesn’t Work
A traditional Mexican treatment for athlete’s foot involves the topical use of a plant called Ageratina pichinchensis (commonly known as snakeroot and previous classified as Eupatorium pichinchense or E. aschenbornianum). Studies have shown that topical applications of a special extract from this plant worked as well as the antifungal drug ketoconazole. Extracts have also been shown to be therapeutic in fungal nail infections. Unfortunately, products containing this extract are not yet available for sale in the United States. If home remedies aren’t working for you, you can try antifungal creams available over the counter at drugstores and supermarkets: terbinafine (Lamisil AT), tolnaftate (Tinactin), clotrimazole (Lotrimin AF), and miconazole (Micatin).

When to Call the Doctor
• You can’t clear the infection after two weeks of using home remedies or overthe- counter antifungal creams. It may be time to try a prescription antifungal medication.
• The fungal infection is spreading.
• The soles of your feet begin to blister.
• Your skin becomes cracked, reddened, swollen, and painful.
• You see pus or red streaks extending from the infected area.
• You develop a fever.
• You have diabetes and have any sign of infection on your feet.