Natural Remedies for Athlete's Foot

Summer weather means open-toed shoes and more focus on your feet. Athlete's Foot is one of the most common foot conditions.

Athlete's foot is a fungal infection of the foot that can be caused by a number of different skin fungi. Usually athlete's foot does not cause serious problems, but the disruption of the skin barrier can be a source of significant infections in people with impaired blood flow to the feet (such as people with diabetes) or in those with impaired immune systems. Infections of the nails are more difficult to treat than those affecting only the skin.

How can you tell if you have Athlete's Foot?

The toes will tell you. A persistent, burning itch between the toes can send you running for relief.  Other symptoms of athlete's foot include skin on the feet that may be damp, soft, red, cracked, or peeling; the feet may also show patches of dead skin. The feet often have a strong or unusual smell, and sometimes small blisters occur on the feet.

Natural Remedies
If you prefer a natural remedy for itchy feet, try these following herbal solutions:

Try tea tree oil

The malaleuca tree, from which tea tree oil is derived, is an evergreen-type tree similar to a cypress. Australian Aborigines used it for a variety of medicinal uses, especially for cleansing the skin. During WWII, soldiers were issued Tea Tree Oil as part of their military kit. Today Tea Tree Oil is used worldwide and included as a key ingredient in soaps, lotions, deodorants and room fresheners.

Tea tree oil has been traditionally used to treat athlete's foot. Apply an herbal concentration in a cream base or an herbal foot spray as a natural alternative to antifungal medications.

Undesine Ointment

Botanic Choice also offers Undesine Ointment.  For over 92 years, this formula has been a favorite with customers for relieving athlete's foot, jock itch and painful cracked skin.

Lifestyle changes that can help

In addition to treating the existing problem, you can  help prevent the fungal growth of athlete's foot by following some healthy habits:

Keep them dry
To discourage fungal growth, dry feet thoroughly after showering or bathing, use foot powders, and change socks frequently to reduce contact with the fungus. Drying powders can be used inside the socks and shoes to help keep the feet dry during the day.

Keeping the feet dry is very important for preventing and fighting athlete's foot. After showering or bathing, thorough drying or careful use of a hair dryer is recommended.

Let your feet see the light
Light is also an enemy of fungi. Wear sandals or other open footwear to expose skin to sunlight's antifungal effects.  People with athlete's foot should wear sandals occasionally to get sunlight exposure.

These recommendations are not comprehensive. For severe athlete's foot, you should consult your doctor, especially if you have diabetes or an impaired immune system.