Home Remedies For Foot Fungus that Really Work
While fungal foot infections can cause short term discomfort and look a bit unsightly, you’ll be pleased to hear there are lots of effective ways to treat foot fungus at home and restore your feet to their previous glory!
We’ve collated our favorite DIY remedies to treat foot fungus.
Types of foot fungus
The two most common fungal infections are athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) and toenail infection (onychomycosis). If you’re suffering from one of these, you’re certainly not alone.
Around 20% of American adults have experienced athlete’s foot, and it’s estimated that 2-8% of adults in the Western world suffer from toenail infections.
Certain health conditions that affect blood flow such as diabetes and heart disease can increase your risk of suffering from fungal infections in the feet, as well as people with weakened immune systems.
Foot fungus is also easily picked up from warm, moist environments such as swimming pool changing rooms, showers and bathrooms, as well as skin-to-skin contact with an existing sufferer. Fungus can survive for up to six months on footwear, rugs, floors and mats.
Symptoms of athlete’s foot include red, scaly, itchy and cracked skin, especially between the toes. Fungal nail infections can thicken the nail and turn it white, green, yellow or black, sometimes causing it to separate from the nail bed.
Effective home remedies for foot fungus
There are a number of home treatments for foot fungus that you can try – many of which are just sitting in your larder!
1. Neem Oil
Neem oil is a natural remedy that’s long been a part of Indian Ayurvedic and Unani medicine. In laboratory tests it was shown to kill 14 types of fungi, including trichophyton, the fungus that causes athlete’s foot.
Mix 2-3 drops with 20 drops of extra virgin olive oil and apply topically to the area with a clean cotton pad.
We use neem oil in our Foot Repair Treatment Balm because of its antimicrobial properties, and combine it with other highly moisturizing ingredients such as rice bran wax and kokum butter to restore and heal the delicate skin on your feet.
2. Eucalyptus oil
Eucalyptus oil is another effective home treatment for foot fungus. A 2015 study showed that it could be just as effective at treating fungal nail infections as over the counter medicines. Mix 2-3 drops with 20 drops of carrier oil and apply topically to the area with a clean cotton pad.
3. Baking Soda
Some people also swear by baking soda, and lab tests show that this store cupboard staple is effective at inhibiting the growth of fungus.
If you’ve got athlete’s foot, add half a cup to a basin of warm water and soak your feet for 15-20 minutes. For a toenail fungal infection, mix baking soda with water to make a thick paste and apply to the affected nail. The good news is that the baking soda will also neutralize any foot odor!
4. Soap Nuts
Soap nuts have been used in Indian households for centuries for cleaning purposes and as a natural remedy for skin care. ‘Soapberries’ or Soap Nuts are dry fruit shells harvested from Soapberry trees in India. They contain a natural soap which is released in contact with water.
Modern laboratory studies have also confirmed the antifungal properties of soap nuts to help fight various types of fungi, including those that cause foot infections.
To use soapnuts at home, put about 2 oz soapnut shells in a blender with 1 cup of water. Blend well and then pour the mixture into a jar. Refrigerate and use the liquid within a week as a soothing foot soak or daily wash.
If you can’t get hold of the raw ingredient you could consider trying our Fresh Feet Deodorizing Micellar Water Cleanser, a wonderfully cooling gel that contains soap nut derived cleanser and biotechnology derived enzymes that neutralize foot odor. Use daily as a rinse off cleanser and as leave on moisturizer.
Explore our footcare range to learn more.
Please note, if your fungal foot infection persists after trying these home remedies, consult a pharmacist or doctor for further advice.
To find out how to prevent your foot fungus from returning, subscribe to our newsletter to receive our how-to guide on Preventing Foot Fungus.
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Featured links/Further Reading:
- http://www.ijmm.org/article.asp?issn=0255-0857;year=2003;volume=21;issue=2;spage=98;epage=101;aulast=Natarajan
- https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11046-012-9583-2
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4595230/#:~:text=Eucalyptus%20oil%20may%20provide%20an,lateral%20subungual%20fungal%20nail%20infections.
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK234637/
- https://www.ipfh.org/foot-conditions/foot-conditions-a-z/toenail-fungal-infection/causes-of-toenail-fungal-infection
- https://www.ipfh.org/foot-conditions/foot-conditions-a-z/athletes-foot