What is Athlete’s Foot?

Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection of the skin that affects the foot causing the affected area to be itchy, scaly and flaky. It is a very common skin infection of the bottom of the feet mostly caused by a fungus known as Trichophyton. Another name for Athlete’s foot is also ringworm of the foot or tinea pedis.The disease thrives very well in moist and warm areas of the body.These are the areas that are mostly affected. People can get affected when they walk barefooted in places such as public showers, locker rooms, bathhouses, swimming pool areas and others.

Symptoms

Some of the common symptoms of Athlete’s foot are:

Various degrees of itching and burning
Dry skin beneath the foot
Frequent peeling
Infection can spread to the groin
Blisters and cracks
Inflammation of the skin
Bleeding

In most cases affected persons do not get to know they have the disease thinking it is only a case of developing dry skin on the sole of the feet.

Prevention

Athlete’s foot is naturally stubborn and it is almost certain that it will always return once there is an enabling environment for it.The following useful tips will however help you prevent the occurrence of Athlete’s foot to delay it:

Keep your feet clean and dry always. Particular attention must be paid to the toe webs in this regard.
Use hot water to wash your clothes.
Always go for ventilated foot wears that allow adequate air to reach your feet
Wear shower sandals (waterproof sandals) in public pools, bathhouses and locker rooms to prevent being infected.
Always keep your feet and groin areas dry after bath
Change socks and stocking on a regular basis. Make sure you always wear socks made of absorbent fibers.
Avoid sharing shoes with anyone and try as much as possible to alternate your shoes.
Do not wear tight and poorly ventilated shoes.

Treatment

One of the oldest and most trusted home remedies is apple cider vinegar. This valuable product has been heavily relied upon throughout the ages to prevent and alleviate a number of ailments. It helps alkalize the body and is rich in potassium, which supports cell growth. Throughout history apple cider vinegar has been used to treat earaches, infections, arthritis, and as an aid in digestion. It has also been said to aid in the detoxification of bodily organs and eliminate warts. It is easily accessible, inexpensive and useful for a variety of disorders and conditions.

For all of these reasons, apple cider vinegar may be the best natural remedy for athlete’s foot. It is the ability of this type of vinegar to destroy fungal infections that makes it an ideal natural remedy for athlete’s foot fungus. Not only is it considerably less expensive than prescription drugs and even over the counter medications, pure apple cider vinegar relieves the itching that is caused by athlete’s foot making it a gentle, all natural answer to this common and painful problem. And best of all, you may already have it in your cupboard.

Athlete’s foot is a well-known, persistent ailment caused by fungal growth on the feet. This type of infection occurs when the highly contagious tinea pedis fungus contacts the skin. Often the most affected area of the foot is between the toes, where it is especially warm and moist; however, it may also spread to the rest of the foot. When athlete’s foot fungus is given an opportunity to develop, it may first result in an itchy red rash, typically beginning between the fourth and fifth toe. If the infection is not remedied, the skin may become soft and extremely sensitive to the touch. In the most severe cases, the edges of the afflicted area will become white and the skin can peel away, creating a milky discharge.

To combat this unfortunate condition, people have turned time and again to apple cider vinegar. This type of vinegar is made from the liquid extracted from crushed apples. Sugar and yeast are added to encourage fermentation, which turns the sugars into alcohol. It is in the second fermentation process when acetic acid-forming bacteria transform the alcohol into vinegar.

This acidic product can be used to treat feet that have become raw, cracked, and damaged by the fungus that causes athlete’s foot. Not only does it relieve the persistent itch that comes with the condition, it also has been reported to rid the body of the fungus that causes the condition. It may not have the most desirable odor, but the relief that is immediately felt as sore feet contact the vinegar will surely be worth it.

An apple cider vinegar foot soak is an effective way to fight athlete’s foot fungus. Simply mix one part pure all natural apple cider vinegar with one part warm water and soak for 20 minutes. Feet should be cleaned with a gentle soap both before and after the treatment. It is necessary to make sure that the feet are thoroughly dried after the treatment to prevent the fungus from spreading in a moist environment. If necessary, it is permissible to use this method of treatment twice daily. Depending upon the severity of the condition, the feet should be rid of the fungus within one to two weeks of regular home treatments.

For less severe cases of athlete’s foot fungus, use a washcloth or cotton ball soaked in apple cider vinegar. Gently rub the cloth over the affected areas. This treatment works especially well for children who may not be willing to sit for a foot soak as the combination of the vinegar and the rubbing of the washcloth allow instant relief from the itchiness caused by the fungus.

It is wise to take some common sense precautions to lessen your exposure to the fungus as preventing athlete’s foot fungus is typically much easier than curing it, it. The most important step you can take is to keep the feet dry, especially between the toes. Ensure that the environment in your socks is inhospitable to fungal growth. Socks that are made of cotton, wool, or other natural materials allow feet to breathe and remain dry. If your feet commonly sweat, see that your socks remain clean and dry, even if this means changing socks during the day. Choose shoes that are well ventilated and give them a chance to dry out before wearing them again. It is also important to reduce the risk of exposure by wearing waterproof sandals or shoes in public showers, locker rooms, and any other warm damp place that may host tinea pedis. Taking proper care of your feet and treating them with all natural apple cider vinegar should ensure that the athlete’s foot fungus clears up and does not return.