We anticipate a lot from our feet, they carry our body and often from uncomfortable shoes. Thus it should not be surprising that some of us end up with lousy odor, blisters pain, and fungus infection such as athlete’s foot. Luckily, if you are infected with the latter, there are home remedies to remove the fungus. This article is an ultimate guide on how to kill athlete’s foot using cider vinegar.
Does apple cider vinegar kill athlete’s foot?
Apple cider vinegar has properties which relieve inflammation and pain and kills the fungus that causes athlete’s foot. You can use apple cider vinegar on its own or with other substances to cure athlete’s foot. Vinegar is acidic in nature and fungus cannot thrive in an acidic environment.
Using Apple cider vinegar alone to soak athlete’s foot
Follow the following steps carefully to treat the athlete’s foot naturally.
Step1: Purchase acidic apple vinegar 5%. It is cloudy, brown and some bottles of the apple cider it is called, the mother. This vinegar has extra healing nutrients which will make it more effective for athlete’s foot healing.
Step 2: Pour two to four cups of apple cider vinegar into a big basin. You will have to pour enough apple cider so you can stick both of the feet. If you require more space, you can add warm water but make sure you do not dilute the vinegar beyond the ratio of 1:1 with water.
Step 3: Clean your feet before soaking them in the vinegar solution. Wash your feet with soap and water. Once you have finished scrubbing your feet and they are clean, dry them off with soap and with a clean towel. You might consider washing your towel immediately after using it so that you can prevent the germs from spreading to other body parts. You should also not share your towel.
Step 4: Soak your infected foot in vinegar, or vinegar solution if you added water. Immerse your feet in the big basin of vinegar mix. Vinegar acid will kill the fungus causing athlete's foot. The acid will also soften and kill the calluses the fungus causes. For useful results, you can use a washcloth to softly scrub the infected area while your foot is soaked in the solution.
Caution 1: 5% vinegar is not harsh for human skin, however, if you start burning, or rashing, remove your foot from the basin and add water.
Step 5: Let your foot sit in the mixture for about ten to thirty minutes. You should repeat this procedure for at least two or three times a day for one week. After the one week, keep soaking your foot at least one or two times a day for another three days. After the ten minutes to half an hour is over, take your foot out of the bowl and dry it.
Step 6: Smear vinegar directly to the infected area.
Caution 2: You should only proceed to step 6 if your infection is small. If you have a minor infection. Sink a cotton ball into the mixture and smear it into the infected spot. You can also use a clean and dry washcloth. Squeeze the cloth on the infection and keep it in place for a few minutes, then dip it back into the mixture and repeat. You should do this ten to thirty minutes at a time.
Step 7: Apply moisturizer after treating your feet with vinegar solution to reduce damage. To shield your skin from becoming hard, after using vinegar, consider applying a thin layer of moisturizer after treating your feet.
Toenail fungus vinegar soak
Toenail fungus is a usual infection of the toe. Since it is contagious, it is essential to start treating it early to avoid spreading it to other people. You can either use antifungal creams to treat the toenail fungus. One of the most effective home treatment for toenail fungus is vinegar.
Though there has been no medical evidence to support that toenail fungus can be cured by vinegar, some people have used it, and it has worked. You can either apply the cream to the affected area or soak the toes in a vinegar solution.
Follow the instructions below:
1. Wash your feet as guided in the section above.
2. Apply vinegar directly using a clean washcloth, directly to the invaded nails. One should do the treatment for at least twice in a day for a week. You might also consider soaking your toes in a bowl of warm water mixed with vinegar. Mix water to vinegar in the ratio of 2-1.
Toenail fungus vinegar hydrogen peroxide
Similar to apple cider vinegar, hydrogen peroxide is an effective antifungal. It is considered to be stronger than vinegar. This is why a combination of the two makes an effective antifungal solution. In this situation, you are going to alternate apple cider vinegar and 2% hydrogen peroxide.
Step 1: Buy 3% hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is accessible in supermarkets and chemists, and one does not need a prescription to buy.
Step 2: Dilute the hydrogen peroxide by adding water in the ratio of 2 parts hydrogen peroxide to 1 part water.
Caution 1: In case of any burning or a rush experience, remove your foot from the solution and dilute hydrogen peroxide by adding more water.
Caution 2: Do not mix vinegar and hydrogen peroxide, or even treat your foot with one after the other. If you combine the two, they form peracetic acid, a caustic chemical that can burn your foot and damage your lungs through its fumes.
Vinegar and baking soda foot soak
To treat athlete’s foot, prepare a solution of water and white vinegar-one part white vinegar to four parts water- the ratio of 1:4 vinegar to the water. Soak your feet for about ten to thirty minutes, two to three times a day. The sprinkle some baking soda between your toes and rinse your feet after fifteen to twenty minutes. This method is useful for treating athlete’s foot.
How long do I soak my feet in vinegar for fungus?
Vinegar foot soak
As discussed in the section above cider vinegar can make a strong antifungal solution, which can help to kill athlete’s foot. An individual who wishes to use apple cider vinegar to treat athlete’s foot needs the right method as outlined above. Then they can soak their feet in vinegar for about ten to thirty minutes, two to three times in a day for one week.
How long does it take for apple cider vinegar to cure toenail fungus?
Apple cider vinegar is one of the top home remedies to treat toenail fungus. Given its acidic properties, apple cider can heal and prevent the spread of toenail fungus. The acid has been proven to kill bacteria and fungi. If you have treated athlete’s foot effectively as discussed earlier, the treatment is not supposed to take long, basically just for a few weeks to get rid of toenail fungus. The acid is expected to deal with the problem entirely with no chances of recurring.
Natural remedies to get rid of toenail fungus
Besides apple cider vinegar the following natural methods should help you get rid of the fungus causing the infection.
Apply tea tree oil to treat toenail fungus
First, clean the areas on and around the infection by rubbing alcohol then smearing undiluted 100% pure tree oil directly to the affected nails and let it soak in.
Gently scrub the nail with a soft brush after about ten minutes. Consider mixing the noil with a natural carrier such as olive oil or almond when applying tree oil directly to the skin. Repeat the procedure daily until a healthy nail grows. You might continue treatment for two weeks to prevent recurring.
Apply orange essential oil to toenails and cure athlete’s foot spreading to your nail
Apply a drop of the oil on nails and between toes. Allow the oil to soak in for at least 40 to 60 minutes. Be informed that orange oil may be too intense for people with sensitive skin. In this case, the oil should be diluted with all natural carrier such as olive oil and almond. To know if your skin is sensitive to orange oil, smear a spot of healthy skin preferably on your hand before applying to the infected nails.
Cornmeal as a natural remedy for toenails fungus
Corn has fungus which is harmless to the human body but dangerous to Candida- fungus causing athlete’s foot. Mix a cup of cornmeal and about two quarts of water in a basin big enough to fit your feet. Let the cornmeal to soak in the water for at least an hour before immersing the infected foot. Allow your leg to soak for about half an hour or more. Repeat the procedure for about a week.
Coconut oil as a natural remedy for toenail fungus
The chain fatty acids in coconut oil can break the cells of candida and other fungi. Lacking its shielding coating the cells of the fungus dissolve, effectively destroying the infection.
Smear a thin layer of coconut oil to the infected area and allow it to soak in for at least fifteen minutes. Coconut oil is healthy for the skin, and thus there is no limit on the amount to apply as well as the number of times. Just make sure you use reasonable amounts and apply enough times.
Lemons for toenail fungus
Lemon juice has both antiseptic and antifungal values. The citric acid present in lemon juice also helps stop the toenail fungus from spreading. To treat toenail fungus with lemon:
- Smear fresh lemon juice on the infected toenail and leave it for about thirty minutes before rinsing it off with warm water.
- Another option is combining equal amounts of lemon juice and olive oil and use this mixture to massage the infected area.
- Allow it to rest on for some hours before rinsing it off. The olive will help soften your skin, while the lemon juice will help control the fungal infection.
- Use either of these options a few times daily for one month or longer until you notice positive results.
Orange oil as a natural remedy for toenail fungus
Orange oil has antifungal properties, and therefore, can be used to treat infected toenails. Orange oil can cause an allergic response and can have side effects, so it is essential to test some orange oil on a small spot of skin before beginning to use this remedy.
Follow the following steps:
1. Using a dropper apply pure orange oil between your toes and on and under your toenails. If your skin is sensitive, then dilute the vital oil with an equal amount of carrier oil, such as grape seed oil.
2. Allow it to rest for at least thirty minutes
3. Repeat the process two or three times daily until you see improvement
The effectiveness of these athlete’s foot natural remedies depends on a lot on their right use and application. Use these remedies for at least one or two months to see positive results. With patience and persistence, you can treat the athlete’s foot infection and prevent further complications.
