How to treat athlete's foot at home with folk remedies: recipes

One of the most common pathologies of the feet and nails is fungus. Treatment of this disease takes a long time, because it is not easy to get rid of a fungal infection. In addition to drug therapy, folk remedies are used that give excellent results, even in advanced cases. In the early stages of the disease, you can treat the infection yourself at home with natural recipes.

What is foot fungus and ways of infection

Mycosis or dermatomycosis is an infectious lesion of the skin of the feet, interdigital areas, fingers, and nails. Fungal infections of the feet occur mainly in cultures where it is customary to wear closed shoes. More often, the disease affects the elderly and people with weakened immunity due to any serious pathology (immune deficiency, pemphigus, diabetes mellitus, circulatory disorders in the limbs, etc. ).

The causative agent of the fungal infection parasitizes the stratum corneum of the skin. They produce enzymes that break down keratin. They contain manna, which suppresses local immunity in the cell walls (membranes) and promotes the development of chronic inflammatory processes in the skin. Among the many pathogens of mycosis, the main ones are Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Epidermophyton floccosum.

You can be infected with a fungus in two ways: directly or indirectly. The first version of the infection offers several versions:

• close contact with a sick person;
• contact with an infected animal;
• through plants in contact with the sole;
• through the soil where the pathogen lives.

There is an indirect way of infection with mycosis of the foot:

• when using household items or personal hygiene items belonging to the sick person;
• when using objects touched by an infected animal.

Symptoms of the disease

Depending on the type of fungus, the specific symptoms of the disease differ. For example, dermatophytes do not show themselves in any way for a long time, now they penetrate deep into the layers of the skin or under the nail bed. If the causative agent of mycosis is trichophytosis, then the signs of infection are immediately visible - a yeast-like microorganism causes inflammation in the nails and skin, destroying tissues in a short time. It is difficult for an experienced dermatologist to say what type of infection a patient has, even without laboratory tests.

In the early stages of the disease there are common symptoms of athlete's foot:

• cracks in the bottom;
• itching, burning, dryness, peeling of the skin;
• unpleasant foot odor;
• discoloration and brittle nails;
• shiny skin surface;
• thickening and redness of the epidermis;
• increased sensitivity of the sole;
• appearance of fluid-filled bubbles at the site of inflammation.

Forms of fungal infection

External manifestations of the fungus depend not only on the type of pathogen, but also on the degree of participation in the inflammatory process of the skin, nails, hair of the feet. Dermatologists distinguish the following forms of foot mycosis:

1. Squamous form (scaly). Redness and peeling of the skin is observed at an early stage. Affected areas have different areas.
2. Hyperkeratotic stage. Severe roughness of the heels, deep cracks in or near the heels. Both feet are affected at the same time.
3. Intertriginous form. It is considered the most common. Affects the area between 4 and 5 fingers, less often develops between 3 and 4. Cracks are replaced by erosion, begin to moisturize, itching, burning occur. Streptococci penetrate the loose structure of tissues and cause pustular inflammation.
4. Dishidrotic form. Aqueous blisters appear on the epidermis. After they hide, large ulcers develop. Mycosis spreads to the hands.

Treatment of foot fungus with folk remedies

All folk remedies against foot fungus have several functions: destruction of the fungal mycelium, elimination of signs of inflammation, restoration of skin integrity, increase of local immunity, prevention of recurrence of the disease. Decoctions and infusions for oral use, as well as solutions, ointments and compresses for external use are used for this purpose.

Numerous plants, minerals, chemical compounds (copper sulfate) and even gunpowder have antifungal properties - this has been proven by scientific research. The names of more than 1000 representatives of the flora with a pronounced fungicidal and antifungal effect have been identified. Such plants contain benzoic and salicylic acid, furocoumarin, novoimanin and other substances that have a therapeutic effect on fungal infections.

Rules and principles of treatment

Before you start to independently treat foot fungus with folk remedies, you should consult a doctor to prevent further development of the pathology. It is very difficult to treat mycosis of an advanced form, so if it does not come a few days after you start using this or that method of positive dynamics, you should consult a doctor.

There are many popular recipes based on the use of herbal and natural ingredients. It is recommended to treat foot fungus at home before going to bed to make time for the effect of the drug. Regardless of the method chosen to get rid of mycosis, you need to follow a basic rule: not only until the symptoms disappear completely, but also for some time after therapy. The following are required during therapy:

• follow a low-sugar diet, ie eliminate sweet, starchy foods from the daily menu;
• exclude the use of cosmetic varnish, which creates a favorable environment for the growth of pathogenic bacteria;
• carry out regular iodine treatment of nail plates affected by fungal infections (with onychomycosis);
• Disinfect floor coverings and shoes to prevent relapse.

Foot bath for foot mycosis

Therapeutic foot baths are very useful to relieve symptoms in the early stages of the disease. Traditional medicine offers many ingredients from which these treatments are prepared. These are decoctions and infusions of herbs (celandine, wormwood, yarrow, oak bark, etc. ), vinegar, soda and other components. Fight the infection with daily dishes, soak your feet in a warm, freshly prepared solution for 15-20 minutes.

The average course of treatment for adults is 2 weeks, but if necessary, the procedure can be done for a longer time. Foot baths not only stop the growth of fungi, but also help to get rid of unpleasant odors and excessive sweating of the feet. With proper hygiene of the lower extremities, the positive effect will be noticeable a few days after the start of treatment. Examples of dishes that are easy to prepare at home to get rid of foot fungus:

• Take 3 liters of warm water, mix 200 g of sea salt. For effectiveness, you can add ground cinnamon (1 tablespoon), chamomile or pine needles decoction (250 ml).
• Pour hot water into the basin, add 50 ml of table or apple cider vinegar and a few potassium permanganate granules. After the procedure, lubricate the affected skin with tea tree oil.

Compresses and lotions

It is recommended to use compresses or lotions in the complex treatment of foot mycosis at home. For these procedures are used celandine oil, garlic, onion, alcohol tinctures, iodized salt and mint. Kombucha, pumpkin pulp, fresh burdock leaves are applied to painful areas. The selected ingredients are crushed, rubbed between the toes and feet for 40-50 minutes and wrapped in a plastic bag (adhesive film). The course of treatment is 1-2 times a day until complete recovery.

Essential oils and natural pastes

An effective treatment for athlete's foot at home using natural plant and essential oils. Tea tree extract (soothes the skin, relieves itching), lemon (strengthens nails, enhances local immunity), cinnamon (prevents the growth of fungi), rosemary (restores tissue) have proven to be excellent. Lavender oil, an effective natural antiseptic with analgesic and wound-healing effect, therefore eliminates the symptoms of mycosis faster than other folk remedies.

You can apply the essential oil in its pure form (after the allergy test) or make natural pastes by mixing a few drops with any vegetable oil (coconut, cocoa, olive, jojoba). Manipulations should be performed 3 times a day for several weeks. If the nails are affected by mycosis of the feet, then such treatment lasts until the plate is completely renewed (several months).

Herbal decoctions and tinctures

The popularity of medicinal plants in the treatment of fungal infections is due to their high effectiveness and availability. Herbal medicine is used not only to get rid of the fungus, but also to prevent infection. The main methods of treatment of mycosis at home are the use of tinctures (infusion of herbs with ethyl alcohol), decoctions (herbs are heat-filtered in a steam bath to prevent boiling) and infusions (herbs are poured with boiling water). and infused).

The method and duration of therapy depends on the age of the patient, the accompanying diseases and the severity of symptoms. Average duration of use: 2-3 times a day for 14-30 days. The most effective antifungal herbs for treating fungal infections are:

• maple buds;
• cold mint;
• aloe;
• eucalyptus;
• walnut leaves;
• chamomile medicine;
• Japanese sophora;
• puppet;
• celandine;
• runnik;
• Kalanchoe;
• ordinary juniper.

How to treat athlete's foot at home

Traditional methods to get rid of the fungus have proven effective. To forget about mycosis of the feet forever, it is necessary to properly care for the area of the foot during and after treatment. For a quick recovery you will need:

• dry the skin thoroughly after the bath;
• wear only dry and clean shoes;
• do not heat your feet too much, avoid heavy sweating;
• wear open-toed sandals in hot weather;
• wear socks made of natural fabrics with a high level of air permeability and hygroscopicity;
• Always wear personal shoes when taking a shower in a public place.

Necessary tools and products in the kitchen

It is easy to find folk remedies at home to get rid of the fungus. Among the tools available in the kitchen or refrigerator, every housewife has a kind of treatment for mycosis. The most profitable:

• Coffee. In this case, the aromatic drink is for external use. Regular foot baths made from freshly brewed strong coffee will help to cope with the disease.
• garlic. There are many options for using the plant, but the simplest is garlic juice rubbed into the affected tissues. The process is performed with a cotton swab 3-5 times a day until the symptoms disappear.
• onion. Fresh onion puree should be placed in a plastic bag on the foot. The edges of the bag should be closed so that the spring does not touch the sole and the foot is in the steam-air chamber all night. As a rule, 5 sessions are enough to get rid of foot fungus.

Pharmacy traditional medicine

If you do not have time to look for a remedy for athlete's foot at home, you can buy an effective remedy of natural origin at the pharmacy. Among them:

• Potassium permanganate. Popularly known as potassium permanganate, it is effective in treating mycosis. To cope with the problem, it is necessary to apply a compress soaked in potassium permanganate solution to the foot every night until the problem disappears.
• Iodine. Fungal areas of the skin are treated with 5% alcohol solution twice a day. Contraindications to such treatment are hypersensitivity of the skin and individual intolerance to the components.
• Iodinol. A universal blue solution is used to soften the nail plate, which can be very rough with onychomycosis. Iodinol is used 2-4 times a day to wipe the tissues affected by fungal infections.
• Propolis. Alcohol tincture is often used to treat mycoses. You can make a home-made solution by infusing propolis with vodka or alcohol, but it will not affect the effectiveness. For the treatment and prevention of fungus need a cotton swab soaked in tincture, apply to the infected area and wait for it to dry completely 1-2 times a day.
• Ammonia. One tablespoon of the product should be diluted in a glass of distilled water, then saturate the fabric with the resulting solution, wrap the legs, fasten with adhesive plaster and withstand the compress overnight.
• Boric acid. For antifungal therapy, you need a powder that is sprayed on the feet in the right dose after evaporation and put on socks. The procedure is performed every evening. Boric acid stays overnight.

An herbal remedy for foot mycosis

Some plants are natural antibiotics, while others have a complex effect on the affected area. Poisonous herbs are often used to treat mycoses, and their use is unacceptable. Destruction of membrane cells of pathogenic fungi occurs due to the presence of an aggressive plant environment, which leads to rapid neutralization of the pathology. Strong herbs include:

• black night shadow;
• cheremitsa;
• male fern;
• black lumbago.

An effective folk remedy for athlete's foot

The treatment process must be properly organized to help folk remedies against mycoses. Before starting any procedure, you need to steam your feet, cut the grown nails, grind loose tissue, remove rough and dead skin. Only then can folk recipes be successfully applied. Natural ingredients not only completely eliminate fungal infections, but also restore nails and skin to a healthy appearance. The most effective folk remedies should be discussed in more detail.

Garlic compresses

An old home remedy for athlete's foot is garlic compresses. The effectiveness of this simple and convenient method depends on the composition of the plant. In addition to vitamins, carbohydrates and proteins, garlic also contains ascorbic acid, which is harmful to harmful microorganisms. You should know that if you use garlic compress wisely, you can burn your skin. Therefore, the dose and duration of therapy should be strictly observed during treatment. Garlic compress recipe:

• Melt 50 g butter, add 1 head minced garlic, 2 tbsp. l. coarse rock salt and mix thoroughly;
• apply the resulting mass in an even layer on sterile gauze and apply to the affected areas within 1 hour;
• treat with a compress several times a day, immobilizing the limbs during the procedure;
• The recommended course of treatment is 1 month.

vinegar

You can fight mycosis with the essence of any vinegar: wine, apple, rice, malt or cane. The principle of action of vinegar is that its substances penetrate into infected tissues and destroy the cell membranes of the fungus. Mycotic acid does not develop under the influence of the environment, because the colonies of pathogenic microflora die under its influence. At the initial stage of treatment, a low concentration of vinegar (more than 3%) should be used, which gradually increases.

Prior to treatment with this method, the infected area of skin should be inspected for abrasions and cracks to ensure that the epithelium is not inflamed or chemically burned. If they are not, you can start using vinegar compress:

• Stir until smooth, 2 tbsp. l. nine percent vinegar, 1 tbsp. l. spoons of glycerin and 2 osh. l. vodka;
• immerse the dressing pieces in the finished mixture and apply to the site of localization;
• after drying the dressing, re-moisten the dressings in the drug mixture;
• the duration of use of compresses should not exceed 1 hour per day;
• Course duration - 2 weeks.

Baking soda

Treatment of foot fungus with soda at home gives good results. At the first suspicion of a fungal infection, it is necessary to use sodium bicarbonate (sodium bicarbonate), which reduces the acidity of the epidermis. In addition to the antiseptic effect, baking soda softens the skin and nail plates, allowing the drug to penetrate more easily after use. Under the influence of alkali, the affected tissues become more sensitive to the effects of any other treatment.

Soda with mycosis can be used dry, diluted with water and in combination with other natural or unnatural substances. Soda paste will be more effective with onychomycosis. To prepare it you will need:

• 3 tbsp. l. Mix soda with 1 tbsp. l. water until a thick and homogeneous mass is obtained;
• then soda paste should be applied to the affected nail, avoiding contact with the skin;
• then the mass should be acidified with freshly prepared lemon juice, which will immediately react with soda;
• the solution should be removed 5-7 minutes after application and wash your feet with soap;
• The procedure is performed daily before bedtime until the condition of the nail improves.

Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil has been used in dermatology for more than a decade, as it has proven itself as a highly effective remedy for skin pathologies. The natural composition of the base fluid determines its cytotoxic activity, ie its ability to fight pathogenic microorganisms. Treatment options vary depending on whether the infection is on the skin or nails.

If you apply 1 drop of tea tree oil to the affected area every day, you can heal the nail plate. It takes about 2 months for the nail to fully recover and strengthen. It is better to use diluted extract for a single treatment. To do this, take vegetable oil (3 parts), mix it with essential oil (1 part), shake and apply on the skin 2-3 times a day for 1. 5 months. It is better to coordinate the course of treatment with a doctor. Clove essential oil can be used as an analogue.

Hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide, which is considered the best antiseptic with a clear antibacterial effect, helps in the fight against fungal infections. The drug is widely used in medicine and at home for the treatment of mycoses. Hydrogen peroxide does not accumulate in the body, so the development of any allergic reaction is excluded. With mycoses, baths that help soften the affected epithelium are more effective for further flow of antifungal gels, ointments, creams, or sprays prescribed by a doctor.

It is easy to make a foot bath with hydrogen peroxide at home:

• pour hot water into a basin and add 3% of the drug in a ratio of 100 ml to 2 liters of water;
• lower your feet into a container and hold for 20 minutes;
• the addition of boiling water in small portions is required to prevent the solution from cooling;
• remove the softened tissue after the procedure with a pumice stone;
• remove moisture with a sponge and apply the prescribed drug on the surface of the skin;
• Take a bath every day until the condition improves.

Laundry or tar soap

For more than a decade, people at home have been curing fungal infections with the help of tar or laundry soap. By following the rules of treatment of the affected skin, you can quickly get rid of itching and unpleasant foot odor. You should combine soap with salt or iodine to speed up the healing of tissues. The following recipe will help improve blood circulation in the tissues:

• steam your feet in warm water before going to bed;
• then lather them thoroughly with laundry soap;
• Treat feet with soap with a towel, then with pumice stone;
• then wipe dry, lubricate with cream;
• treat infected areas with a fungus with maple resin;
• Soak for 1, 5 hours, then remove with cotton pads;
• put clean socks on your feet and do not take off for 2 days;
• Repeat the procedure once a week until the problem disappears.

Salicylic ointment

The main advantage of treating mycosis with salicylic ointment is its high antifungal activity. The drug kills pathogens, prevents their proliferation, removes keratinized layers of the epidermis and rarely causes side effects. With mycosis of the legs, apply salicylic ointment in the form of compresses. On a softened skin or nail plate, the drug is applied in a thin layer at a concentration of 5 or 10%, after which the foot is placed in a plastic bag and socks are placed on top. The procedure lasts 1 hour 2 times a day for 10 days.

Propolis

As already mentioned, propolis is effective as a tincture for mycosis. The alcohol component also has a positive effect on pathogenic microorganisms. It is possible to prepare an ointment with bee products, which should be applied to the affected areas overnight for 10-14 days. His recipe is simple:

• Mix 20 g of crushed propolis (without wax) and 100 g of sea buckthorn oil;
• heat the ingredients in a water bath for 30 minutes;
• Cool the mixture, strain it through gauze and use according to instructions.

Celandine and chamomile

Medicinal plants, especially chamomile and celandine, are believed to be the fastest to get rid of fungal infections. It is better to use them together. To achieve a quick effect, you need to drink chamomile broth or tea (to increase overall immunity) and take baths with an infusion of celandine. You should know that the fresh juice of the latter burns, so it should be used in its pure form with extreme caution.

The crushed stems of the dried plant are needed for infusion. In a glass of boiling water you need to brew 1 tbsp. l. celandine, leave for 1 hour, then dilute with a little warm water. With mycoses, the solution is used for therapeutic baths made for 15 minutes every day. As a rule, such treatment alleviates the initial stage of the disease within 14 days.

Calendula infusion

The flowers of this plant contain a large group of biological substances that have a strong antimicrobial effect. Especially quickly, the infusion of calendula fights onychomycosis. Nails should be steamed and treated before using the drug. After mechanical cleaning of the nail plate from fungal plaque and dead tissue, the infusion should be moistened with a cotton pad and applied to the affected area. The procedure is performed daily for 4-8 weeks. The product is easy to prepare at home:

• Pour a glass of boiling water over 1 tbsp. l. dried or fresh calendula flowers;
• Do not insist in a water bath for 10 minutes;
• cool, strain and store at a temperature not exceeding 4 ° C.

Attention! The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only. The materials of the article do not call for self-treatment. Only a qualified physician can make a diagnosis and recommend treatment based on the individual characteristics of a particular patient.