1. Avoid further contamination. This common infection affects the skin of your toes and soles. Because feet come into contact with floors used by many people (at home or in a sports facility), the infection can be spread easily and quickly.
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1. Avoid further contamination. This common infection affects the skin of your toes and soles. Because feet come into contact with floors used by many people (at home or in a sports facility), the infection can be spread easily and quickly.
- Don’t share shoes or towels with anyone.
- Avoid walking barefoot in locker rooms, public swimming pools, communal showers, or gyms.
- Wear flip-flops or shower shoes when showering until the infection is cured.
- Keep your laundry separate so items like socks and bedsheets don’t contaminate other laundry.
- Keep surfaces of home bathing facilities clean.
- Put on clean, dry socks every day or more often if necessary (such as after playing sports).
2. Use conventional medications. For mild cases, an over-the-counter medication can be an effective treatment. For more severe cases, prescription medications may be necessary.
- Apply antifungal ointment, spray, powder, or cream
- Take an over-the-counter medication
- For severe cases, get a prescription medication
3. Try homeopathic treatments. Several non-conventional treatments are thought to be effective for fighting skin and nail fungal infections.
- Use tea tree oil, applied in a light coating to the affected areas two to three times a day—use products that are 100% tea tree oil.
- Apply grapefruit seed extract, which is thought to have antifungal properties when used in full strength—find this product at stores specializing in natural food and bath products.
- Expose your infected foot to sunlight and fresh air—wear open shoes such as sandals and keep your feet dry and clean.
- Treat with garlic, which contains antifungal compounds shown to be effective against a number of fungal infections including athlete’s foot. Finely crush several garlic cloves, add them to a foot bath, and soak your foot for 30 minutes. Alternatively, mix freshly-minced garlic with olive oil and rub it on the affected area with a cotton ball.