Athlete's foot (also called tinea pedis or ringworm) is an annoying ailment that can make you want to wear closed-toed shoes even on the hottest summer days. Fortunately, there is an easy home remedy to get rid of this fungus in a short time: apple cider vinegar. Read on to learn how to use this product to treat athlete's foot. However, if you have open wounds, allow them to heal before following this method. Vinegar could cause a very irritating burning and stinging sensation if placed in contact with an open wound.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Treatment of Athlete's Foot with Apple Cider Vinegar
Step 1. Pour 1.2 L of apple cider vinegar into a large bowl
To prepare a foot bath that allows both feet to soak, about 2.4 L of liquid (more or less) is recommended. Since vinegar is quite harsh on the skin, it should be diluted 50%.
If you don't have apple cider vinegar available, you can also use white vinegar, as an alternative. If you use the latter, however, be sure to add only about 0.6 L. White vinegar is much stronger than apple vinegar, so you need less. Plus, it's so strong that it can wash away the sebum and minerals naturally present on the skin, leaving it more vulnerable, dry and itchy than before starting the treatment
Step 2. Add 1.2 L of water to the solution
As already mentioned, the water dilutes the vinegar so that it does not irritate the skin. This is a very important step, regardless of the severity of the disorder. While you may think that more concentrated vinegar means faster healing, it actually makes it worse rather than better until you accidentally burn the skin on your feet!
White vinegar is much more acidic than apple cider vinegar, so if you use it as a substitute, be sure to dilute it with 1.8 L water (ie in a ratio of 1: 4)
Step 3. Wash your feet before soaking them in the vinegar mixture
Wash them with soap and water. When they are clean, dry them with a towel or let them air dry. If you choose to use a towel, be sure to wash it immediately after using it, so as not to spread the fungus to other parts of the body.
Step 4. Soak the infected foot
Put it in the large bowl with the solution. The acid in the vinegar helps soften and reduce calluses caused by the fungus. If you want, you can use a cloth soaked in the mixture to gently scrub the infected area of the foot.
If a rash or redness forms, remove your foot from the bowl and add more water to the solution. Redness and rashes indicate that the acidity is excessive and slightly burns the foot, so it is necessary to make the solution less acidic by adding water
Step 5. Let your foot sit in the solution for 10 - 30 minutes
You should go through this procedure 2-3 times a day for seven days. Once the week is up, continue soaking your foot 1-2 times a day for an additional three days. After 10 - 30 minutes, remove your foot from the bowl and dry it.
Step 6. Apply the vinegar directly on a small infection
If the infected spot is very small, you can also soak a cotton ball or cloth in the solution and rub the infected area. Press the cloth onto the mushroom and hold it in place for several minutes, then dip it into the mixture again and repeat. Practice this remedy twice a day for 10-30 minutes at a time.
Part 2 of 2: Avoiding Athlete's Foot Recurrence
Step 1. Keep the infected site clean and dry
Once you put your foot in the vinegar solution, make sure the area remains clean and dry. The fungus that causes athlete's foot prefers moist areas, so wet feet can worsen the infection or even make it come back. Always wash and dry your feet after physical activity or after anything else that can make them sweat or moisten them in some way.
A great way to keep them dry is to put on absorbent cotton socks. These socks absorb and retain moisture from the foot, helping to keep it dry
Step 2. Wash your footwear
The fungus is a nuisance organism that won't go away if you don't treat it. Remains in clothing and towels after contact with the infected area. For this reason, it is important to disinfect everything that comes into contact with the foot. Wash your shoes (even the inside) with water and let them dry in the sun. Once dry, sprinkle them with antifungal powder to prevent recurrence.
Step 3. Disinfect the shower and tub
As mentioned before, this type of mushroom loves humidity. When you have athlete's foot and you take a shower, traces of the fungus remain inside the shower and can infect your foot again as soon as you bathe again. For this reason, you must always disinfect the bathroom or shower. Put on a pair of gloves and use bleach or apple cider vinegar to clean the base of the shower. Once done, throw the gloves and sponge you used to clean into the bin.
Advice
- Avoid sharing towels, socks, slippers and shoes, so as not to spread the fungus to other people or catch it from others.
- Change your socks whenever they get wet.
- If you have very sensitive skin, mix 1.8 L of water with 1.2 L of vinegar to make the solution even more diluted.
Warnings
- Only soak your feet if you have checked that you have no open wounds. Vinegar causes a severe stinging sensation if it enters an open wound.
- If you've tried this method and your mycosis doesn't seem to be improving, talk to a doctor as soon as possible.
