What is foot fungus? Can you treat it at home? These are common questions that many individuals have but may be afraid to ask. Foot fungus, while it seems like a straightforward issue, is a term for several different foot problems. You can learn how to get rid of foot fungus with a variety of home remedies.
Foot fungus can include symptoms such as burning, itching, cracking, or peeling on the foot or between the toes, or it can manifest in the toenails through thick, discolored nails and pain.
Learn about the different kinds of foot fungus and what you can do to avoid and treat these conditions.
Treating Athlete’s Foot Fungus
Athlete’s foot is one of the most common foot infections. It is easily acquired, especially by people who often use communal showers and pools, such as those in college dorms or gyms. It grows in warm, damp places like public showers, locker rooms, and pools.
This foot condition is also common with shoes that are too tight or socks or shoes that are damp. Athlete’s foot can also be contracted from getting pedicures with not properly sanitized equipment.
Tinea pedis, the scientific name for athlete’s foot, is often characterized by itching, burning, redness, peeling, and sores and blisters. Athlete’s foot can also be known as jungle rot, from military personnel who contract it in warm, damp climates.
Four different kinds of fungus can cause of athlete’s foot. These fungi live on dead skin, hair, or toenails.
Athlete’s foot consists of three different kinds of infections. The most common variety is called interdigital and grows between the toes, usually the two smallest. It often causes scaling, itching, and burning and can move to the rest of the foot. Interdigital infections can also be called toe web infections.
An infection on the sole is known as moccasin infection. It causes the skin to crack and thicken and is accompanied by dry skin, itching, scaling, and irritation. It can move to the sides of feet, as well.
Fluid-filled blisters are a symptom of the least common athlete’s foot infection, a vesicular disease. The blisters appear suddenly on the sole, heel, top of the foot, or between the toes.
Since it’s possible to have scaly and itchy feet without having athlete’s foot, skin cells must be scraped off and examined under a microscope for a proper diagnosis.
Athlete’s foot is easily preventable. Wear flip flops in wet public areas like showers, wash your feet often, and wear breathable shoes. Make sure your feet are dry at all times.
Untreated, athlete’s foot can travel to the rest of the body, including the groin and palms of the hands. It is contagious, so those with athlete’s foot should be careful not to spread it.
Toenail Fungus
Onychomycosis, or toenail fungus, is a fungal infection that grows underneath the toenail. Like athlete’s foot, it is easily contracted through damp, warm public places where fungus can grow. The toenail fungus gets below the nail through cracks in the nail or skin.
Besides fungi that are often in damp public places, people who are more susceptible to toenail fungus are those with nail injuries, diabetes, and immune and circulatory problems. A case of athlete’s foot can also contribute.
When toenail fungus is present, the nail can change color, grow thicker, and have a foul smell as well as exhibit pain in the area. Dirt can collect underneath the nail, and white marks may appear. When the nails grow thicker, they are hard and painful to trim and may cause pain when wearing shoes.
Symptoms of toenail fungus are nails that are embarrassing or ugly but can also result in more severe problems such as the spreading of fungus. It might affect your foot’s ability to perform daily activities like walking.
To prevent toenail fungus, follow most of the advice given for athlete’s foot. Keep your feet clean and dry, wear breathable shoes, wear shoes in public showers, change your socks regularly, and clip toenails straight across and short.
Toe Infection
Toe infections sound scary, but they’re infections of the nails, most commonly caused by ingrown toenails. The toenail grows into the side of the soft tissue of the toe, and the skin begins to grow over it. It can get infected very quickly and is most commonly seen in big toes.
This condition is painful, and an infection can be a severe problem. Ingrown toenails can be treated at home, but a podiatrist should see infected toes.
How Do You Get Rid of Foot Fungus?
Athlete’s Foot Cure
Antifungal medication can be applied topically to the infected area to treat athlete’s foot. The feet should be kept dry to keep the fungus from growing further. In some cases, oral antifungal medication is necessary.
How to Treat Toenail Fungus
You can use simple home remedies to get rid of toenail fungus, or a podiatrist can take care of toenail fungus, particularly if it is caught early.
Topical or oral treatments can also work on toenail fungus, as well as the removal of the infected nail. A temporary removal can work to treat the area, but a permanent removal so that the bad nail won’t grow back can also be performed.
How to Treat a Toe Infection
If your ingrown toenail is infected, it should be addressed by a podiatrist. They will numb the toe and remove the offending part. Sometimes antibiotics will be prescribed to help heal the infection and prevent a repeat occurrence.
Home Remedies For Foot Fungus
There are many home remedies, both proven and unproven, for athlete’s foot, toenail fungus, and other foot problems. Soaking the foot in a diluted vinegar or bleach solution can help cure athlete’s foot. Use baking soda or cornstarch and sprinkle it on the feet to keep them dry or remove odor.
Anti-fungal products can do wonders for toenail fungus. Olive leaf extract is not only anti-fungal but also antibacterial. Orange oil, another anti-fungal ingredient, can be applied to the affected nails to cure toenail fungus. Lavender or oregano oil can also be used.
To treat ingrown toenails at home that are not infected or just barely affected, soak the foot in warm water and Epsom salts, wedge cotton or something else soft underneath the nail to prop it up, and add antibacterial cream.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Mix some apple cider vinegar, Epsom salts into a tub of warm water. Soak the feet in the bath twice daily, and it will kill toenail fungus and athlete’s foot.
You can even take apple cider vinegar internally to double your efforts. Apple cider vinegar in warm water with some honey makes a very healthy drink that does its part on the inside.
Castor Oil
Similar to other essential oils, castor oil has been used for toenail fungus for ages. It’s disinfecting effect not only kills the fungus but also minimizes further infection. With its many uses and benefits, castor oil is one of today’s most used essential oils.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil has anti-fungal properties to help cure your fungal infections, as well. Soaking the feet in water mixed with tea tree oil kills the fungus, especially if you follow it up by massaging the oil directly into the skin. It not only kills the fungus but keeps it from spreading.
While nothing can replace seeing a doctor for fungal infections, there are home remedies you can use at home to cure it yourself. It’s important to see a physician if your symptoms spread or worsen. Prevent foot infections by keeping your feet clean, dry, and well cared for.
If you learned a little in our post about how to get rid of foot fungus, please share the information about foot fungus types and treatments with others on Pinterest and Facebook.