There's no single best cure for athlete's foot, but following a series of steps can help you clear up your skin. According to MotherNature.com, athlete's foot is caused by a fungus that grows easily on the feet if they are damp. This is especially true between the toes, where perspiration is more likely to accumulate.
Step 1
Keep your feet dry at all times. Carry an extra pair of socks with you. If your feet sweat a lot or you get them wet in the rain, try changing into dry socks as soon as possible. Dry your feet well before putting the new socks on.
Step 2
Wear flip flops when walking in public showers or locker rooms. Athlete's foot can be contracted by coming in indirect contact with the fungus, so if somebody who has athlete's foot walked barefoot on an area you later contacted, he might have spread the virus all round the area.
Step 3
Take your shoes off as often as possible to allow your skin to breathe. At home, walk barefoot unless somebody in the home is suffering from athlete's foot. Then wear flip flops or open shoes to prevent contagion but still keeping your feet exposed to the air.
Step 4
Mix 2 tsp. of salt in a pint of water and soak your feet in the mixture for up to 10 minutes at a time. According to MotherNature.com, this softens the skin and lessens perspiration, also helping make the area less appealing for the fungus to grow on.
Step 5
Check your pet's skin for signs of ringworm. According to FamilyDoctor.org, a website produced by the American Academy of Family Physicians, the virus tinea, which causes athlete's foot, is the same virus that causes ringworm and also jock itch. Ringworm in pets is characterized by a loss of hair, sometimes in the form of a ring or circle. If you got the fungus from your pet, you should treat it at the same time you treat yourself so you don't get the infection again after treatment.
Step 6
Buy antifungal medication. If you only do one thing to treat athlete's foot, start with this. Medication is available over the counter in the form of cream and gel. In an article for MotherNature.com, dermatologist Dr. Thomas Goodman recommends getting a cream that contains miconazole nitrate, tolnaftate or fatty acids, such as Desenex. Apply it up to three times daily and rub it until it is completely absorbed.
Things You'll Need
- Salt
- Flip flops
- Antifungal medication
