5 Things You Need to Know About Treating Athlete's Foot

1. Good Hygiene Goes a Long Way

Clean, dry feet dry are your best weapon against athlete's foot (tinea pedis). That goes for your socks and shoes, too. Always wash your socks in hot water and change them daily. Discard any old shoes where athlete's foot spores may be hiding. Sprinkle anti-fungal powder on your feet, shoes and socks every day to keep the infection from spreading. Avoid walking in your bare feet, especially in wet or moist places, such as public showers, restrooms and swimming pools or the gym. Wear plastic or waterproof shoes instead. Buy socks made from an absorbent, breathable material if your athlete's foot is recurring.

2. Rub It In

Look for topical creams or ointments with the active ingredient clotrimazole, tolnaftate, terbinafine or miconazole. These once prescription medications are available over-the-counter at most drugstores or supermarkets. Use creams to treat active infection sites. Wash and dry your feet thoroughly, apply the cream and put on cotton socks. Repeat this procedure several times a day for about three weeks.

3. Relief Found in Unexpected Places

Get some underarm deodorant for your feet since most fungus thrives in moist areas. Keep the affected spots dry with a spray of anti-perspirant. Often, this may be enough to relieve your athlete's foot. If it doesn't, dissolve six aspirin in one-half cup of rubbing alcohol. Mix well and rub on clean, dry feet. Repeat three times a day for three days to eliminate athlete's foot.

4. Soak It Up

Bathe your feet in 40 drops of tea tree oil, known for its anti fungal properties, and water for 10 minutes. Towel or blow-dry your feet to eliminate any moisture. Don't forget your toes. Fungus thrives under nails that aren't completely dry. Follow up by placing several drops of the oil on the spot. The concentrate from 10 Pau d'Arco tea bags also is good for soaking. Some even say bathing your feet in bleach and warm water for 10 minutes each day will yield results in one week. Use two tablespoons of laundry bleach to one gallon of water to avoid injuring your feet.

5. Open Up Those Kitchen Cabinets

Common items found in your kitchen can be effective in treating athlete's feet. Soak your "dogs" in a mixture of baking soda or apple cider vinegar and warm water twice daily for one week. If you are a garlic lover, rub a garlic clove over the area several times a day. The garlic's antibiotic ingredients cure the infection. A fresh slice of garlic placed in your shoes also is helpful. Olive leaf extract is another antiviral agent that wards off infection.