Five Home Remedies for Athlete's Foot

Athlete's foot is often associated with people who are very active, like runners, dancers, or football players. But, despite its name, you don't have to be an athlete to suffer from athlete's foot. In fact, anyone who wears shoes can find themselves dealing with this condition.

The fungus that causes athlete's foot thrives in a warm, moist environment. And that's exactly the kind of environment you'll find inside your sneakers or loafers after you've been walking around in them for a few hours, especially on a hot day.

If you have athlete's foot, you're probably suffering from one or all of the following symptoms.

* Itching, burning and stinging between your toes.

* Itchy blisters on your feet.

* Peeling, cracking skin on the soles of your feet and between your toes.

* Thick, discolored, or misshapen toenails.

* If you really have athlete's foot, there will almost always be some sign of the infection (itching, burning, peeling skin) between the last two toes on your foot.

Athlete's foot isn't usually a serious condition. In fact, with these simple home remedies, you can treat athlete's foot at home.

If you're suffering from athlete's foot, keep your feet dry.

Keeping your feet cool and dry will help stop the fungus that causes athlete's foot from growing and spreading. So, make sure your feet are completely dry before putting on your shoes and socks. And if your feet get wet and sweaty during the day, change into a dry pair of shoes and clean, dry socks.

Treat athlete's foot with an over-the-counter antifungal solution.

Use an over-the-counter remedy to help get rid of the fungus that causes athlete's foot. Choose an antifungal solution rather than a cream. Creams can actually help trap moisture between your toes. And, since keeping your feet dry is the first step in treating athlete's foot, that's the last thing you want.

Treat athlete's foot with a medicated powder.

Sprinkle a medicated powder, like Desenex, Tinactin and Micatin, on your feet before putting on your shoes and socks. Not only will the powder help to treat your athlete's foot, it will also absorb moisture and help keep your feet dry.

Soak your feet in saltwater daily.

This daily treatment can go a long way towards helping you get rid of athlete's foot.

In a basin, mix two teaspoons of salt for every pint of warm water. Soak your feet in this mixture for five to ten minutes every day for one or two weeks. The saltwater will impede the growth of the fungus that causes athlete's foot. It will also make your feet sweat less.

Don't stop treatment too soon.

Even when it seems like the home remedies have worked, and your athlete's foot is gone, you're not out of danger yet. If you stop treatment too soon, athlete's foot could return, forcing your to start all over again. So, continue treatment for at least two weeks after your athlete's foot seems to have cleared up.

Try these home remedies, and could be rid of the pain, itching, and irritation of athlete's foot in no time.