Vinegar is highly acidic, killing the bacteria and fungi that cause an athletes foot in shoes. Miconazole antifungal powder is very effective, weakening the cell membranes of the fungi so it cannot replicate. Newman CC, et al. These tips can help you avoid athlete's foot or ease the symptoms if infection occurs: Treat your feet. Keep your feet dry, especially between your toes. How often have you misplaced your cellphone or car keys? Lysol: Athletes foot is caused by a fungus and is easy to kill from surfaces. Feel free to read more about our story and how we got here by clicking here. LIVESTRONG.com may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Use UV-light shoe sterilizers for all shoes (especially leather, because theyre not machine-washable) to dry out the inside of the shoes, which can harbor unpleasant bacteria, viruses and fungi. After the time has passed, feel free to remove your foot from the bowl and dry it off. Baking soda and vinegar. Additional risk factors for the development of toenail fungus include: Wearing tight shoes. Not only can you use hydrogen peroxide for athletes foot, but you can clean your bath or shower with it if youve run out of disinfectant or if you prefer to use natural cleaners instead of chemical-laden commercial cleaners. Your symptoms should clear up within a week or so, depending on the severity of the outbreak. But simply standing there while the water trickles between your tootsies isn't enough. Athletes Foot Contagious? Prevention Steps, Treatment, Remedies Pour about three cups of the vinegar into a large bowl, enough that youll be able to stick both feet in. Some types of athletes foot look like dry skin or dermatitis. Some people are more susceptible to sweaty feet. What skin care routines do you recommend while the condition heals? Dr. Lobkova also advises using soap or body wash with tea tree oil, because it is naturally antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral.. Wipe them dry with rubbing alcohol and follow up with a clean towel. These tips can help you ease the symptoms of athlete's foot or avoid a recurrence: Keep your feet clean and dry. These bad-smelling fungi are commonly known as athletes foot. Take care of your footwear. to Disinfect Shoes With Foot Fungus Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Elsevier; 2021. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Here are a few of her top strategies to do just that: Fess up: Your feet are one of the most neglected body parts in the shower (we know, they're hard to reach). Are tests needed to confirm the diagnosis? You may wish to consult a podiatrist for help with this. You can also lightly scrub the infected area while your foot is soaking. Athletes Foot "And if you don't clean (and dry) the feet properly, fungus that is normally present on the skin can overgrow, especially between the toes, worsening athlete's foot," she explains. To do so, mix half a cup of Epsom salt in warm water. The acid in the mixture can impact the skin, so to protect it, you can apply a layer of moisturizer after treatment. Some websites recommend the use of bleach to help kill foot fungus. Cleaning agents that disinfect also act as deodorizers. Can I wait to see if the condition goes away on its own? American Academy of Pediatrics; 2019. Soak the affected foot or feet by placing it (or them) in the vinegar mixture. This article is written byMayo Clinic staff. Dont worry, the vinegar smell will disappear as it dries. Bleach, antifungals: Bleach, antifungal sprays, lysol. Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone. Lysol: Athletes foot is caused by a fungus and is easy to kill from surfaces. Lysol, dilute bleach, letting shower thoroughly dry for a few hours. The bathmat mat in front of the shower should be washed also. Most antifungal sprays and antifungal powders are home remedies that may be purchased over-the-counter. Learn more about what causes feet to smell bad and how you can help to prevent it. So without further ado, follow these six steps for treating athletes foot with apple cider vinegar. 4 Facts About Does Vinegar Kill AthleteS Foot In Shower. Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) Baking soda may have antifungal properties What causes them, and what you can do about them. Can athlete's foot live in carpet Spray this solution on tissue papers and place them inside the infected shoes. Fungal infection: Athlete's foot. OK, so you've lathered up your feet (hooray), but you're still not in the clear when it comes to fungal infections like athlete's foot. In turn, the extra sweat can cause your feet to smell bad. * In order for our products to work effectively within 90 days, you must apply them as directed each day for 90 days. Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing? Good news, says Dr. Vij: Its generally easy to treat. Look for over-the-counter antifungal creams such as Tinactin (tolnaftate topical) or Lotramin (clotrimazole). There are several reasons that nails may split. Lysol, dilute bleach, letting shower thoroughly dry for a few Athletes Foot with Time-Honored Remedies Find more health and medical information onmayoclinic.org. 1998-2023 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). How to Disinfect Showers for Athlete's Foot | Hunker Mayo Clinic; 2010. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates. I tried tons of them and they were all super expensive of course and the whole time a remedy that works was over in the grocery section for like $5 for a gallon jug. According to the National Institutes of Health, about 15 to 25 percent of Americans are likely to suffer from athletes foot fungus at some time in their life. Athlete's foot. doctorsklineandgreen.com does not represent itself as providing specific medical advice, and the products available on this Website are not intended to replace any medical professional or medical resource. How to disinfect the shower from the athletes foot. "Remember, when we shower, all the dead skin and dirt from the body trickles down to the feet," Dr. Lobkova says. If your foot odor is noticeable, you can try soaking your feet to give them a deep cleaning. If the vinegar stings too much, dilute it 50/50 with water. The main cause of smelly feet is trapped sweat. "Soaking the feet in bleach may cause serious skin irritation and burns and thus will exacerbate instead of treating the athlete's foot," she explains. These locations tend to be breading grounds for foot fungus, so you should take protective measures when in these locations. And this weakened nail can increase your risk of becoming infected by fungus or other microorganisms, including bacteria.