How to Use Foot Baths for Athlete’s Foot

Athlete’s foot is the most common form of fungal infection that causes redness and itchiness on the skin between the toes. The rule of thumb is to keep your feet clean, although it is not always possible to prevent an occurrence of fungal infection such as athlete’s foot. In that case, you should employ foot bath procedure with certain variations to treat an athlete’s foot.

Method 1

Method 1 of 7:

Hydrogen Peroxide

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The idea is to kill bacteria and fungus lying on your feet, and using hydrogen peroxide is ideal for killing harmful bacteria and fungus.^{[1]
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Take 1 gallon (3.8 L) of lukewarm water and add just 2 to 3 percent hydrogen peroxide in it.
- Alternatively, add 8 fluid ounces (240 mL) of vinegar instead of hydrogen peroxide.
- Ideally you should soak your feet in the warm water twice a day – morning and night for at least 20 to 30 minutes individually.
- Rinse your feet with clean water.
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Remember to dry your feet with the help of clean towel or air dry it.

Method 2

Method 2 of 7:

Tea Tree Oil

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Tea tree oil is essential antiseptic oil that helps immensely in cleaning fungus from the infected area. Many dermatologists reckon adding 30 to 40 drops of tea tree oil into the foot bath warm water.
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Soak your feet in the water for at least 10 to 15 minutes daily. This will show remarkable results.
- Tea tree oil has natural properties that will literally destroy fungus on your feet.^{[2]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 7:

Mustard Oil or Mustard Powder

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Either you can add few drops of mustard oil in the foot bath water or you can sprinkle some mustard powder in the water. By doing either of it, you are using mustard to kill the fungus.^{[3]
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Method 4

Method 4 of 7:

Salt Water

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For a nice warm foot bath, add 2 to 3 tbsp of salt to 300 to 500ml bucket of warm water.^{[4]
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PubMed Central
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Follow this habit at regular intervals till you don’t see the much anticipated results.

Method 5

Method 5 of 7:

Tea of Oregano Leaves

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1
Prepare an oregano leaves foot bath. Some athlete foot sufferers have made a tea of 3 to 4 ounces of oregano leaves and added it to warm water.^{[5]
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- Some people also reuse the same used oregano leaves for a week, but some prefer using free oregano leaves-tea each time.

Method 6

Method 6 of 7:

Povidone-Iodine

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Povidone-iodine is an antiseptic solution used for killing bacteria. Soaking your feet in this mixture of warm water and povidone-iodine will help you get rid of harmful bacteria and fungi.
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Make sure you soak your feet in the mixture for total 40 minutes a day (one time = 20 minutes).
- Of course, do not forget to dry your feet completely.

Method 7

Method 7 of 7:

Squeeze Lemon

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Your feet perhaps may be producing an unpleasant smell of a particular kind due to athlete’s foot. To avoid your feet stink just add ½ cup of lemon juice in a bucket of water.

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Tips

Follow foot bath technique for at least three to six weeks to see remarkable results.

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Regular use of antifungal soap is necessary to keep fungus away.

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Wash your feet at least twice a day regularly with the help of antifungal soap.

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Warnings

If you are diabetic, you should see your physician for treatment.

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If you continue to see the infection for a prolonged period, make sure you consult a doctor immediately

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