How to Get Rid of Foot Fungus

Foot fungus, also referred to as athlete's foot, is a fungal attack that usually strikes the skin situated between the toes. The infected part of the foot turns flaky, red and causes terrible itching. The affected area becoming dry followed by formation of blisters are some of the other athlete's foot symptoms. Sometimes, the fungal infection affects the nails, making them brittle and distorted. People who have the habit of wearing moist socks or those traveling frequently in wet areas without footwear are most vulnerable to athlete's foot and nail fungus. There are different ways of eliminating foot fungus, some of which are discussed below:

Wear Proper Shoes
Wearing ill-fitting or tight shoes causes excessive sweating, which acts as the perfect breeding ground for the fungus to thrive. Also, one should not select a shoe that is made from plastic, rubber and vinyl as these materials prevent air flow in and out of the shoe. One needs to select shoes that enable the feet to breathe. Besides using proper shoes, one should not forget to wear clean, dry socks.

AntiFungal Creams
Being a fungal infection, the first line of treatment involves use of topical antifungal agents. One can either use a cream or a spray to get rid of the foot fungus. Some of the medication that have proved beneficial in foot fungus elimination are given below:

• Miconazole
• Clotrimazole
• Spectazole
• Terbinafine

Patients with foot fungus do experience considerable relief from the burning and the itching sensation linked with this fungal infection. In some cases, the patient is asked to wash the affected foot with ketoconazole shampoo and then apply the Nizoral cream. There are quite a few creams sold under various brands like 'Tripod Labs Tineastat Athlete's foot cream' that are a combination of synthetically prepared antifungal agents and herbal remedies. Buying these topical agents containing herbal extracts are equally beneficial to get rid of the infection.

Oral Medication
Severe cases of athlete's foot may not just respond to the use of topical agents. Thus, along with creams, the doctor may prescribe antifungal medicines that need to be taken orally for 2-3 weeks. However, people with liver problems should stay away from these oral medications given below:

• Terbinafine
• Fluconazole
• Itraconazole

Coconut Oil
Foot fungus home remedy with coconut oil is very useful to clear the fungus. It is a well-known fact that coconut oil displays antifungal activity and hence its usage works to clear away the infection. An important constituent of coconut oil is lauric acid that shows antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties. So, apart from being an excellent antifungal agent, coconut oil does a wonderful job in moisturizing the skin. So, applying it on the affected area can definitely serve the purpose.

Tea Tree Oil
Yet another successful home remedy to get rid of fungus naturally involves the use of tea tree oil. Applying it on the affected area, kills the microbes as well as encourages healing of the infected foot at a faster rate. Although it might not completely cure foot fungus, it is effective to improve the appearance of skin.

Apple Cider Vinegar
With the onset of foot fungus, the skin pH deviates from the normal range. Restoring pH value found in a healthy balanced skin is the key to free the affected skin from the shackles of the fungus. So, if one is looking for products that can help to regulate skin pH, one can rely on apple cider vinegar. Make a solution containing equal parts of apple cider vinegar and water and immerse your affected foot into it for at least 20-25 minutes everyday. People who have used this apple cider vinegar soak have found it capable enough to cure this foot fungus.

Salt Water
Mentioning about athlete's foot home remedy and one simply cannot forget to enlist salt water. Warm salt water solution is found to display anti fungal properties. Mix 2 teaspoons of salt in a basin of warm water and soak your feet into the solution for 10 -15 minutes everyday. Warm water containing dissolved salt acts as an excellent anti fungal solution and therefore can contribute in curing the foot fungus.

Tea
Heat approximately 1.5 liters of water until it starts boiling. Switch off the gas and put 6 tea bags in the heated water. Allow the water to cool and then soak the infected foot in it for half an hour daily. Tea contains tannic acid, which not only destroys the fungus but also helps in reducing the itchy sensation.

As yogurt contains good bacteria, including it in the diet can also help eliminate this fungus. Washing the foot everyday and then using a cleaning towel to dry it is also important to speed up healing. Try any of these and you surely won't regret as these remedies help to restore healthy skin on your feet within a relatively short duration of time.