When inside a cramped locker room, it is very easy to notice the different smells emanating from each person. Because of this, you wouldn’t want to get really mean looks, or you wouldn’t want people deliberately trying to avoid you every time you finish your workout session and you head off to shower or change. Body odor and foot odor are your greatest enemies – so avoid them at all costs.

Athlete’s foot is a fairly common condition among, you guessed it right, athletes because they are the ones who usually wear rubber shoes and sneakers for long periods of time. However, athlete’s foot is not solely confined to athletes as the average Joe may also become afflicted.

The condition starts when fungus starts to invade the warm, wet places in between your toes. Yes, athlete’s foot is contagious – and it is very, very easy to come across these types of fungi in common public changing areas such as the locker room or the shower floors of your favorite gym. Once you have come into contact with the fungus, you may or may not present with the actual signs and symptoms of the condition. Some people are just more susceptible than others. However, what remains true is that you can pass on the fungus to other people. Maybe, if they are not as lucky as you, they will become infected.

How to Prevent Athlete’s Foot

It may sound cliché, but the adage “An Ounce of Prevention is Better than a Pound of Cure” is true. And we could not argue with that. It always pays off to be informed. If you haven’t been infected with the athlete’s foot fungus yet, don’t wait for it to happen. In a previous article, I have discussed how you can prevent it from happening. With those prevention tips, you are on your way to healthier feet.

The most important thing is to practice proper personal hygiene. Dry your feet thoroughly, especially the area in between your toes, before you put on your socks (read: clean socks). Cutting your toenails short, wearing comfortable shoes, and using anti-fungal talcum powder are only some of the many tips that you should keep in mind.

Athlete’s Foot Remedies

If, for some reason, you are already infected with the athlete’s foot fungus, here are some natural remedies which you can surely benefit from:

1. Baking Soda

   Oh, this should not come as a surprise at all. Baking soda has been used inside the homes as a cleansing agent and it has also been for personal hygiene over the years. Also used for dry, flaky skin, baking soda can help stop athlete’s foot in its tracks. Because the athlete’s foot fungus, the Tricophytonrubrum, thrives in damp, moist and wet areas, it would serve you best to stop the dampness, moisture and wetness. Simply sprinkle baking soda into your shoes and it will do the trick of absorbing water and keeping it relatively free of moisture and dampness.

2. Cornstarch

   Because of its close relation to baking soda, cornstarch may also help you deal with the athlete’s foot fungus. All you have to do is to directly rub your feet with cornstarch. Rub them especially on the areas in between your toes as the cornstarch will absorb the moisture present there, keeping the area dry all throughout the day.

3. Garlic

   The wonders of garlic extend from head to foot! Remember that garlic has antifungal properties. You just have to crush one clove of garlic, add a little olive oil in it to form a paste. Once you have the paste ready, you may start to apply it the infected nails. Leave it on for fifteen to thirty-five minutes and then you may proceed to wash the paste off using soapy, warm water. After you do this, remember to dry off your feet well with a really clean towel that is exclusive for your feet’s use alone. Make this an everyday habit until you are completely healed.

4. Broccoli

   Broccoli is only one of the many foods you would need to eat to help you towards being free from athlete’s foot, simply because it helps boost the function of the immune system, allowing your body to fight it off with the fungus. Other foods that boost the immune system include elderberry, garlic, yogurt, mushrooms, spinach and sweet potatoes.

5. Cinnamon

   Soaking your feet in cinnamon tea will help as it slows down the growth of the fungus. Break eight to ten pieces of cinnamon sticks, add it to four cups of water, bring it to a boil and then let it simmer for about five minutes. After this, let it steep some more – for about another forty-five minutes. Then, for not more than thirty minutes (but not less than fifteen), soak your feet in it. You may want to do this everyday too to ensure faster recovery.

6. Yogurt

   Yogurt which contains live, active acidophilus bacteria will help in your battle against the fungus. Plus, yogurt helps boost the immune system too! All these help to speed up the healing process.

7. Lemon

   If you have sweaty feet, then using lemon will help solve your problems for you. Simply cut a lemon in half, squeeze out the juice and then add it with two ounces of water. You use this lemon water mixture when you are rinsing your feet. Again, remember to dry your feet thoroughly before you put on your socks and shoes.

8. Vinegar

   A mixture of one cup of vinegar and two quarts of water may be helpful, especially if you soak your feet in it each night. You may also utilize a mixture of one cup vinegar and one cup water, soak a cotton ball in it and then directly apply it on the affected area. However, if you have broken skin, doing this may sting, so be careful.

9. Salt

   Using one teaspoon of salt to one cup of warm water, make a mixture that is enough for you to soak your feet in. Let your feet stay in the mixture for about ten minutes and then completely dry your feet off. After doing this, you may sprinkle the areas in between your toes with baking soda or cornstarch.

Sources
health.howstuffworks.com
naturalhealthontheweb.com
naturalhealthontheweb.com
webmd.com