Question 1 Of : How Do You Get Rid Of Foot Fungus At Home
Best Ways To Treat A Nail Fungus
Nail fungus can cause thick, discolored nails, and, for some patients, it can even be painful. An Internet search will bring up plenty of ways to treat the condition, but which ones are best? Dermatologist Dr. Christopher Hull discusses what nail fungus actually is, why its so hard to get rid of, and which treatments work best.
What Causes Athletes Foot
Athletes foot occurs when the tinea fungus grows on the feet. You can catch the fungus through direct contact with an infected person, or by touching surfaces contaminated with the fungus. The fungus thrives in warm, moist environments. Its commonly found in showers, on locker room floors, and around swimming pools.
Anyone can get athletes foot, but certain behaviors increase your risk. Factors that increase your risk of getting athletes foot include:
- visiting public places barefoot, especially locker rooms, showers, and swimming pools
- sharing socks, shoes, or towels with an infected person
- wearing tight, closed-toe shoes
There are many possible symptoms of athletes foot, which include:
- itching, stinging, and burning between your toes or on soles of your feet
- blisters on your feet that itch
- cracking and peeling skin on your feet, most commonly between your toes and on your soles
- dry skin on your soles or sides of your feet
- raw skin on your feet
- discolored, thick, and crumbly toenails
- toenails that pull away from the nail bed
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How To Use Remove Nail Fungus
To get rid of the nail fungus under your toes, grab a basin large enough to fit your feet in and pour a significant amount of apple cider vinegar in the basin to soak your feet. Soak your feet for 20 minutes. Now, dry your feet off thoroughly.
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Empty and clean the basin and fill it up with clean warm water. Soak your feet for 20 more minutes. After 20 minutes, add the baking soda to the water and soak your feet for another 20 minutes. Completely dry your feet once you have soaked for the full 40 minutes.
For best results, it would be best to undergo this process a few times a day for a few weeks. This will ensure the disappearance of the toe fungus.
When To Visit The Dermatologist
Many over-the-counter foot powders, washes, sprays or creams are usually enough to treat foot fungus, Lain says, but in order to stop the infection from recurring its important to make changes. The infection will likely recur unless changes are made to daily activity: perhaps wearing open toe sandals instead of shoes, changing socks during the day if they get sweaty or adding in a drying powder to help reduce moisture.
If the infection doesnt improve or continues to spread after trying home remedies for foot fungus, Rodney says its time to visit your dermatologist.
If blisters develop or you notice that the infection has spread to your nails, dont delay, she adds. The longer you wait to treat the nail infection, the more difficult it becomes.
Next, read about what those white spots on your fingernails actually mean.
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Side Effects Of Toenail Fungus Medication
One of the many benefits of using a homeopathic remedy is that there are little to no adverse side effects. Topical treatments often prescribed to treat toenail fungus can potentially burn or blister the skin. Oral medications for treating onychomycosis can cause liver or gastrointestinal damage. Be sure to read your medications list of potential side effects. Consult your pharmacist, physician, or specialist if you are concerned about side effects of prescription drugs.
What Medications Are Available For Athlete’s Foot
Creams, gels and sprays for fungal infections are available from pharmacies without a prescription. All of these products contain a drug that stops the growth of the fungus or kills it.
Many of the more commonly used products contain drugs known as allylamines or azoles.
- The allylamines include terbinafine and naftifine.
- The azoles include bifonazole, clotrimazole, miconazole and oxiconazole.
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How Effective Are These Athlete’s Foot Treatments
Topical treatment is usually enough to get rid of athlete’s foot. For example, studies on the effectiveness of allylamine products showed that, after six weeks,
- athlete’s foot had cleared up in 17 out of 100 people who didn’t treat it,
- and in 73 out of 100 people who used the medication.
In other words, treatment with an allylamine got rid of the fungal infection in about 56 out of 100 people. Terbinafine isn’t less effective than other medications, even though it’s used for just one week.
Azole medications are similarly effective.
The drugs that are used in topical medication for athlete’s foot are well tolerated. They can cause slight reddening of the skin or a mild burning sensation, but other side effects are rare.
Signs And Symptoms Of Foot Fungus
Itchy skin is an early sign of foot fungus, or scaly, peeling skin, or tiny blisters on the skin that will pop at times, says Sundling. The skin tends to break out in the shape of a moccasin, or the area of the foot that a moccasin would cover. You dont see foot fungus on the top of the foot very often. Its common to get a fungal infection between the toes as well, she adds.
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Foot Fungus: Causes And Risk Factors
A foot fungus is a fungal infection of the skin, better known as athletes foot, says Sundling. The fungus enters through cracks in the skin. Its known as athletes foot because athletes or anyone who is more active and sweats a lot is more at risk. Kids are also more at risk, because they dont tend to wear different shoes, and changing your shoes is one way to avoid foot fungus.
Foot fungus is very common. It does not mean that someone is dirty or didnt bathe, and if you have a compromised immune system, you may be more susceptible, says Sundling.
Treating Athletes Foot Fungus
Athletes foot is one of the most common foot infections. It is easily acquired, especially by people who often use communal showers and pools, such as those in college dorms or gyms. It grows in warm, damp places like public showers, locker rooms, and pools.
This foot condition is also common with shoes that are too tight or socks or shoes that are damp. Athletes foot can also be contracted from getting pedicures with not properly sanitized equipment.
Tinea pedis, the scientific name for athletes foot, is often characterized by itching, burning, redness, peeling, and sores and blisters. Athletes foot can also be known as jungle rot, from military personnel who contract it in warm, damp climates.
Four different kinds of fungus can cause of athletes foot. These fungi live on dead skin, hair, or toenails.
Athletes foot consists of three different kinds of infections. The most common variety is called interdigital and grows between the toes, usually the two smallest. It often causes scaling, itching, and burning and can move to the rest of the foot. Interdigital infections can also be called toe web infections.
An infection on the sole is known as moccasin infection. It causes the skin to crack and thicken and is accompanied by dry skin, itching, scaling, and irritation. It can move to the sides of feet, as well.
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Are You Ready To Stop Your Athletes Foot Problem Today
There are many options available for you today to begin treating an athletes foot infection. It is important to start treating it immediately so that a surface skin issue doesnt become a nail issue as well. Use OTC medications, at-home treatments, or your preferred treatment method from this guide to stop the itch before you begin to feel the burn from this fungus.
You can also use a product like ClearNail Pro+ to work with creams and sprays, as well as some prescription medications, to treat difficult athletes foot infections that have spread. Be sure to speak with your doctor about any medications, supplements, and at-home treatments you are using as well so the best possible treatment plan can be created for you.
With ongoing treatment with the products found here or with prescription-strength items, you can begin to see results in just 7-10 days in many instances. This means you can finally tell your athletes foot to go away and then stay away for good.
Why wait? Get started today so that your feet can be happier every day because they are fungus-free.
Complications Regarding Toenail Fungus
Toenail fungal infections are typically painless or at least start off that way. But without proper self-care and treatment, the condition can spiral into a more severe case of nail fungus, which can be painful and may cause irretrievable damage to your nails.
Moreover, the toenail infection can sprout other serious infections that can spread beyond your feet, particularly if you have a suppressed immune system due to certain medications, diabetes, or other conditions.
Because people with diabetes are already predisposed to reduced blood circulation and nerve supply in their feet, their odds for catching toenail infections as well as bacterial skin infection are quite high.
Thus, it is imperative for people with diabetes to seek professional medical help for any seemingly minor foot injury including a nail fungal infection to avoid any future complications.
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When To See A Doctor
In most cases, toenail fungus is considered a cosmetic problem. Still, it may cause serious complications for some people.
If you have diabetes, toenail fungus may lead to foot ulcers or other foot problems. According to a 2012 study, chronic toenail fungus is a significant risk factor for bacterial cellulitis of the leg.
If you have diabetes or a weakened immune system, you shouldnt use home remedies for toenail fungus. Contact your doctor for the appropriate course of action.
How To Heal Your Toenail Fungus At Home
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HOW TO HEAL YOUR TOENAIL FUNGUS AT HOME
If you have mild toenail fungus, theres a very good chance that a home remedy can help you get rid of it. Though you can definitely try these with moderate to severe toenail fungus, too, as long as youre healthy, it is recommended that you see a specialist if its a bad case of fungus.
As always, if your immune system is compromised or you have diabetes, its always best to see a podiatrist so you dont risk making things worse or needing surgery.
Without further ado, here are several home remedies you can try to heal your toenail fungus.
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Smooth On An Antifungal Cream
Look for antifungal creams at your local drugstore that contain ketoconazole or terbinafine as active ingredients, Rodney says. Just make sure to use them at night or whenever your feet can breathe, she explains, You should not use these when wearing sneakers or boots because they may just add moisture to your already sweaty feet.
Toenail Fungus And Athletes Foot Spread Within Families
If left untreated this foot fungus spreads amongst other members of your family, and it will spread to other toes, fingernail and other parts of the body. Its the same fungus that causes Athletes Foot. It has been commonly thought that athletes foot and toenail fungus spread from person to person, now with modern technology researchers say its the first time scientists have been able to provide evidence for it.
Using high-tech molecular biology techniques, researchers were able to trace the spread of the same tiny organisms, called dermatophytes, responsible for the common foot infections within families.
Researchers studied 57 families in which at least one member had toenail fungus and/or athletes foot. Of these families, 19 had at least two members who were infected.
Using a combination of microbiology and DNA matching techniques, researchers were able to confirm that identical infection-causing dermatophytes were present in 42% of affected family members.
Researchers say matching the DNA of the same dermatophytes among members of the same household clearly indicates each family member had the identical strain of dermatophyte, which confirms that the infection was transmitted from one family member to the other, either directly or indirectly.
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Sprinkle Cornstarch On Your Toes
Cornstarch, a common kitchen ingredient made from corn, can also treat athlete’s foot by absorbing excess moisture from feet, says Galante. That’s because keeping your feet dry prevents the spread of this fungal infection.
If you don’t have cornstarch, you can try drugstore foot powders like Dr. Scholl’s, which can be helpful as well, says Jon Sherman, DPM, a board-certified foot surgeon and fellow at the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons.
Tea Tree Oil To Get Rid Of Foot Fungus Fast And Naturally
Tea tree oil has antiseptic properties that you can use to fight foot fungus naturally. There are a few methods to applying the oil. In case that you have foot fungus, rub tea tree oil several times a day to treat foot fungus naturally. Blend a few drops of tea tree oil in 1 teaspoon of olive oil or coconut oil. Use a cotton ball to apply it on the affected foot. Leave it on for ten minutes, and then use a toothbrush to softly scrub the affected nail. Do this two times daily until you get the results.
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When Are Tablets Considered
Athlete’s foot is nearly always treated topically. Tablets are only considered if topical treatment isn’t successful. It may also be a good idea if the infection has spread to one or more toenails, or if the infection is very severe.
The tablets taken to treat athlete’s foot generally contain the active ingredients itraconazole or terbinafine. Itraconazole is usually taken once daily for four weeks . Terbinafine is typically taken once daily for two weeks . The treatment lasts longer if you also have a fungal nail infection. This is true for both medications.
How Dangerous Is Toenail Fungus
Its important to treat all infected areas to avoid reinfection.Only treating the soles and not the toenails may result in recurring athletes foot.
Toenail fungus is also called onychomycosis. It is a serious condition because it causes the nail to become brittle and change shape. In addition, debris can get under the nail, causing it to become discolored and detached.
Fungal infections of the toenails can cause complications in diabetic patients. Because it can affect blood circulation in the feet, it can impair the nerves and lead to other unexpected diseases, such as infection spreading to the bones, infection of the blood , cellulitis, and more.
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How To Treat Toenail Fungus
You can use simple home remedies to get rid of toenail fungus, or a podiatrist can take care of toenail fungus, particularly if it is caught early.
Topical or oral treatments can also work on toenail fungus, as well as the removal of the infected nail. A temporary removal can work to treat the area, but a permanent removal so that the bad nail wont grow back can also be performed.
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Change Shoes To Get Rid Of Foot Fungus Fast And Naturally
Many shoes arent intended to let the wind circulates around your feet to keep them cool. This makes heat around your foot, which causes your foot to sweat. And, this makes an ideal environment for foot fungus to flourish. If you want to get rid of foot fungus then your first step should change your shoes.
Home Remedies For Athletes Foot
Tea Tree Oil:
Touted for their strong antibacterial, antiseptic and anti-fungal properties, the essential oil obtained from tea tree leaves has been treating skin infections since ancient times. The presence of tannic acid in the oil not only gets rid of bacteria and germs but also acts as an astringent and helps dry out sweaty feet to prevent the growth and spreading of the infection. Also Read: Tea Tree Oil: 5 Health Benefits of This Incredible Essential Oil
Mix a few drops of tea tree oil combined with a carrier oil such as olive or coconut oil and apply it on the affected area 2-4 times a day to thwart off the infection.
Baking Soda:
Being a natural anti-fungal agent, they provide relief from many microbial strains that infect the skin and nails. This mixture of sodium and bicarbonate ions not only helps in absorbing unpleasant foot odours but also relieves the itchiness and burning sensation in between the toes or on the feet.
Make a paste of baking soda and water and apply in all over the infected skin to get rid of the foot infection.
Sea Salt:
Imbued with potent anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties, the sea salt granules provide an effective remedy for athletes foot. It also holds high significance in healing cuts and sores by reducing inflammation and prevents smelly foot.
Soak your feet in a tub containing warm water infused with sea salt for 5-10 minutes to assist healing and prevent the spreading of the infection.
Garlic:
Yogurt:
Foot Soak:
Green Tea:
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