Despite the embarrassing and annoying features that come with athlete's foot, it is completely treatable. There are several cost-effective and tried-and-proven methods to get rid of the condition and keep it away for good. You may find that other treatments work better or faster so try to find the right approach that best works for your condition to stay fungus-free indefinitely.
Home Treatment Tactics
It is always better to treat athlete's foot upon noticing the first signs and symptoms. This way, you'll be able to prevent the fungus from spreading and spare yourself the extra itches and burns. You may choose between home treatment and going to a doctor. Home remedies make use of natural ingredients and can be very cheap with easy-to-follow guidelines. Going to the doctor will provide you with the most useful medications that will help alleviate the problem quickly.
As for home treatment, you may choose from a variety of items that are easily found in the grocery store. Tea tree oil is one of the most popular choices which you can simply massage on your feet. Dilute the oil with other types of oil or water then apply directly or make a foot bath. Bleach and water combination may also work well in ridding your feet of germs and growing fungi. Baking soda or sodium bicarbonate is very good in keeping your feet dry to prevent athlete's foot from spreading. Aluminum acetate solutions are good for foot baths. There are also other radical home remedies that prove to be quite effective in treating the condition such as mouthwash and urine. These are strong ingredients known to have properties that can kill fungus and bacteria.
There are several over-the-counter medications and drugs which can be directly applied on the skin or taken orally to help get rid of athlete's foot. Foot creams such as Lamisil or Lotrimin are common options. Make sure you follow the instructions to properly schedule application.
Seeking Medical Help
If you choose to see a doctor and ask for medical help, you will most likely be prescribed topical anti-fungal creams, sprays and powders. Some of the usual recommended medications would include itraconazole, terbinafine and miconazole. These are anti-fungal medicines and can treat symptoms like itching, scaling and peeling. The condition may be fully treated within 2 months. Foot powders are rubbed directly on the skin or applied into socks and shoes. These are good in preventing moisture to keep microorganisms from proliferating. The powders contain itraconazole, miconazole and clotrimazole as well.
You need to know when to seek medical attention if home remedies do not seem to work as well or symptoms of swelling, burning and bleeding seem to intensify. As the infection progresses, it may also be accompanied by bacterial infection which should be treated immediately to avoid complications. Cracks and crevices may need to be treated with antiseptics to keep bacteria from settling in.
Learn how to stay fungus-free by keeping yourself protected from re-infection. Always wear rubber slippers when walking in locker rooms, gym floors and bathrooms. Make sure that your feet are completely dry before wearing socks and shoes. Choose well-ventilated shoes and natural cotton or wool socks to prevent moisture from building up. Be sure not to borrow or share your footwear, socks or towels with anyone to avoid cross infection.
Home Treatment Tactics
It is always better to treat athlete's foot upon noticing the first signs and symptoms. This way, you'll be able to prevent the fungus from spreading and spare yourself the extra itches and burns. You may choose between home treatment and going to a doctor. Home remedies make use of natural ingredients and can be very cheap with easy-to-follow guidelines. Going to the doctor will provide you with the most useful medications that will help alleviate the problem quickly.
As for home treatment, you may choose from a variety of items that are easily found in the grocery store. Tea tree oil is one of the most popular choices which you can simply massage on your feet. Dilute the oil with other types of oil or water then apply directly or make a foot bath. Bleach and water combination may also work well in ridding your feet of germs and growing fungi. Baking soda or sodium bicarbonate is very good in keeping your feet dry to prevent athlete's foot from spreading. Aluminum acetate solutions are good for foot baths. There are also other radical home remedies that prove to be quite effective in treating the condition such as mouthwash and urine. These are strong ingredients known to have properties that can kill fungus and bacteria.
There are several over-the-counter medications and drugs which can be directly applied on the skin or taken orally to help get rid of athlete's foot. Foot creams such as Lamisil or Lotrimin are common options. Make sure you follow the instructions to properly schedule application.
Seeking Medical Help
If you choose to see a doctor and ask for medical help, you will most likely be prescribed topical anti-fungal creams, sprays and powders. Some of the usual recommended medications would include itraconazole, terbinafine and miconazole. These are anti-fungal medicines and can treat symptoms like itching, scaling and peeling. The condition may be fully treated within 2 months. Foot powders are rubbed directly on the skin or applied into socks and shoes. These are good in preventing moisture to keep microorganisms from proliferating. The powders contain itraconazole, miconazole and clotrimazole as well.
You need to know when to seek medical attention if home remedies do not seem to work as well or symptoms of swelling, burning and bleeding seem to intensify. As the infection progresses, it may also be accompanied by bacterial infection which should be treated immediately to avoid complications. Cracks and crevices may need to be treated with antiseptics to keep bacteria from settling in.
Learn how to stay fungus-free by keeping yourself protected from re-infection. Always wear rubber slippers when walking in locker rooms, gym floors and bathrooms. Make sure that your feet are completely dry before wearing socks and shoes. Choose well-ventilated shoes and natural cotton or wool socks to prevent moisture from building up. Be sure not to borrow or share your footwear, socks or towels with anyone to avoid cross infection.
