Natural and Alternative Remedies for Athlete’s Foot
Alternative and natural remedies have long been used to cured the symptoms of athletes foot and to prevent the reoccurrence of the fungus. Commonly used in the early stages of infection, natural cures should still be used only after a proper diagnosis by your physician and should be avoided if the feet begin to swell, fever is present, or if the condition worsens in any way.
Common alternative and natural remedies typically work in combination to attack the athlete’s foot fungus (antifungal) and to heal the affected skin areas. Effective homeopathic remedies include:
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is the most common natural remedy for athlete’s foot and should be taken at 50% potency to be most effective. Tea tree oil has been shown to reduce flaking and scaling of the skin, as well as inflammation. And although testers don’t doubt the oil’s ability to reduce the symptoms caused by the infection, clinical studies have raised questions as to the effectiveness of tea tree oil at eradicating the athlete’s foot fungus. In trials, tea tree oil eradicated the infection in 50% of the study group when used at 50% potency. For the most effectiveness, tea tree oil should be used as a cleansing agent along with aloe vera and turmeric.
Turmeric and Aloe Vera
Turmeric is often used as an anti-fungal agent to treat athlete’s foot. According to Vasant Lad, director of the Ayurvedic Institute in Albuquerque, 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric should be mixed with 1 teaspoon of aloe vera gel and apply directly to the affected areas twice daily for two weeks, and then once daily until symptoms disappear.
Apple Cider/White Vinegar (with or without Hydrogen Peroxide)
Apple cider vinegar can be applied directly to the affected areas as a cleansing agent, and to rid the foot of the athlete’s foot fungus. Combat this treatment with a hydrogen peroxide soak to prevent recurrences. These treatments work as a topical solution and are less effective on severe cases of athlete’s foot.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E can be applied directly to the affected areas to soothe skin, relieve itching and heal skin that is oozing.
Foods that Help Cure Athlete’s Foot
Worn inside the socks, onion extract and chopped garlic are powerful antibiotics that help reduce the presence of the athlete’s foot fungus. If athlete’s foot is a common re-currence or if you frequent locations known to harbor the fungus, you should generally avoid ingesting yeast products, vinegars, and alcohol.
Urine
As gross as it may sound, the 3% of urea that is contained in urine is also an effective treatment that can provide relief to those suffering from athlete’s foot. Although this treatment is heavily diluted, if rubbed directly between the toes urine has been shown to cure athlete’s foot in its early stages.
Other Homeopathic Remedies
Homeopathic remedies for athlete’s foot are based on the symptoms each patient has when dealing with the infection. Common treatments include calendula, cinnamon, goldenseal, thuja-30C, myrrh, coconut oil and oregano oil among others. Contact your local homeopathic health care professional for more treatments based on your exact symptoms.
Reference:
http://www.mothernature.com/Library/Bookshelf/Books/21/64.cfm
