Toe Fungus? Pain in the heel (tingling or burning)? Discolored toenails? All of this can be a sign of athlete’s foot—a fungal infection of the foot that is more prevalent in summer.
Fungus thrives on moist feet, especially if there is dead skin (which most feet have in abundance). If you’re going barefoot or wearing sandals, you may be more likely to have dead skin cells build up (creating a protective layer), while if you’re wearing tennis shoes you may be sweating and creating an ideal environment for fungus growth.
Of course, summer is prime time for sweating and flip flops/sandals, creating an increased risk for athlete’s foot (and even if you’re careful, it’s more likely to spread at the pool, gym, or airport, if you’re not wearing socks!). And who wants fungus on toenails when you’re wearing sandals?
Protect Feet From Athlete’s Foot Fungus
The best prevention (and treatment) for athlete’s foot is a combination of cleanliness and keeping feet aired out and dry.
Because antifungals prescribed to treat athlete’s foot are incredibly harsh, it’s important to try natural antifungals and treatments before taking a route that can harm your liver and cause severe side-effects.
Natural antifungals include garlic (garlic infused olive oil is great to keep on hand-it takes a couple days to make, but it can also be used on ear infections, or swabbed in ears before swimming to prevent ear infections), as well as natural acidic agents like citrus. Colloidal silver is also a natural antifungal (and won’t sting if you have open wounds from peeling skin causing a pain in the heel(s) or toes).
Whatever you apply to areas infected with athlete’s foot, make sure that your feet dry after treatment, and avoid creams and lotions which will preserve moisture (perhaps counter-intuitively, as athlete’s foot does make feet appear dry).
4 Important Things To Remember About Athlete’s Foot:
1) Athlete’s foot is highly contagious and can spread to pets.
2) Treatment should last a week or more after symptoms disappear or athlete’s foot infection can reoccur.
3) If untreated athlete’s foot can lead to secondary infections, and sometimes bacterial infections.
4) People with weakened immune systems or diabetes are more susceptible to athlete’s foot and serious symptoms, and should see a doctor. Always see a doctor if symptoms are serious, increase in severity, or don’t go away.
What are other natural treatments and for athlete’s foot? Please share below!
