People attempt many things to get rid of athlete's foot. Since it is such a widespread issue, there are many remedies to cure it. One popular home remedy is Epsom salt soak for athlete’s foot. This article is a complete preparation guide of Epsom solution for athlete’s foot and how to use it.
Is Epsom salt an antifungal?
Epsom salt athlete’s foot
Epsom salt is a magnesium sulfate compound. The salt has been widely used for many years as a healing agent and pain reliever. The mixture has also been added in hot baths and foot soaks to treat fungal infections.
The salt can remove toxins in your body which cause inflammation and pain. This property is very beneficial for an athlete’s foot treatment. It also claimed that apart from reducing pain symptoms and healing, Epsom salt can be mixed with water to reduce inflammation from gout and remove odor.
When Epsom salt is added to warm water, the compounds in it, magnesium and sulfate dissolve and are quickly absorbed through the human skin. The salt then removes toxins from your body, creating a way for magnesium and sulfate to enter the bloodstream. The presence of these substances in your body boosts the amount of magnesium available in your body, thus reducing inflammation.
Epsom salt foot bath to get rid of athlete’s foot and toenail fungus
Epsom salt alone cannot remove fungus causing athlete’s foot, but it can help as part of the antifungal regimen. When a foot is soaked in Epsom salt solution, the nail softens and the gaps between the toes thus drawing out the fungal infection. Thus, making other topical antifungal agents work better and penetrate to the fungus quickly.
Epsom salt for feet
Epsom salt has excellent benefits for human feet, skin and more. Typically you do not have to wait till you see athlete’s foot or toenail fungus infection, to relax your foot in Epsom salt soak. On ordinary conditionals take two to three soak every week to have healthy feet and toenails. There are various types of foot soaks, and so many ingredients you can use. But why is Epsom salt more beneficial than other parts.
Benefits of Epsom salt soak for the feet
An Epsom foot soak could have a lot of benefits including preventing fungus causing athlete’s foot from invading your foot. If you have weak and soft skin, it is easier for the fungus to invade your skin. Furthermore, soaking your feet in water alone can only help in circulation, but Epsom salt inhibits the growth of the microorganism. Our bodies need magnesium sulfate which is found in Epsom salt.
Does Epsom salt kill an infection?
Does Epsom salt kill Athlete’s foot and toenail fungus
Even without research to back up the idea that Epsom salt can cure Athlete's foot, you can expect to heal from fungal infection when you use an Epsom foot soak, because of the following reasons:
1. Magnesium sulfate is a potent compound which can penetrate through the nail, in case of toenail fungal infection and between the toes in case of athlete’s foot, making it easier for any ointment to break through. Once the skin and nails are softened any other solution can work faster to treat the infection.
2. Epsom salt is an exfoliating agent which improves circulation. Exfoliating ski8n helps to make the strong and healthy to be able to fight off infection. It is especially helpful to people who are at risk of being infected with athlete’s foot such as people who have diabetes.
4. Athlete’s foot spread to the toenails and lead to debris and keratins buildup. A condition which can be prevented by Epsom salt feet soak. The exfoliating properties in Epsom, salt can remove debris and make it easier for fungus treatment.
How to use an Epsom salt foot soak for athlete’s foot?
Before preparing a foot soak, you need to have the right ingredient. First, you need to have a bowl which is big enough to accommodate your feet and warm water.
If you want to experience any extra benefits than treating fungal infection, you can add a foot bath and spa machines. Spa machines help to provide relaxation and circulation. Spa machines add things such as oxygenated bubbles or massaging jets. Such will help you with circulation and general health of your feet. Once you have prepared the right materials to follow the following steps carefully.
Step 1: Ensure that your feet are clean and free of any lotion before soaking them in Epsom solution. You might also want to clip your toenails and keep them short.
Step 2: Fill the bowl or the foot bath with warm water, do not use hot water. Ensure the water is enough to cover your feet fully.
Step 3: Add half a cup of Epsom salt to the warm water and stir with your hands, until you have a uniform solution.
Step 4: Let your feet rest in the solution for about thirty to sixty minutes. Note that you can soak your feet for two or three times a day for half an hour, but if you soak them for a period of 30 to 60 minutes then you should only soak your feet once in a day. If you decide to soak your feet twice in a day, do it in the morning and the evening before you sleep.
Step 5: When done soaking your feet, dry them thoroughly. It is essential to dry between the toes well as the wet environment is an excellent spread for fungus.
Step 6: After towel drying your feet, let them to air dry for as long as possible. Do not wear closed shoes immediately. Only wear socks and shoes after your feet have dried completely.
Using Epsom salt with other products to treat athlete’s foot
You can add other ingredients to the water. Usually, oils are the most popular and effective products to add to a foot bath, primarily to treat athlete’s foot.
You can add tea tree oil to the solution. Tea tree oil is a natural antifungal and antibacterial solution. Tea tree oil is used in many natural and over the counter toenail fungus treatment. Just putting a few drops of Epsom salt to the foot bath will boost the fungus-fighting power.
Tea tree oil and Epsom salt is an excellent combination for treating athlete’s foot. Epsom salt will soften the skin and toenails allowing Tea tree oil to penetrate in the skin and attack the fungus.
Try using carrier natural oils such as olive oil or almond. Each oil has its properties which help to fight fungus. You can try other essential oils, make sure the oil you use is 100% natural and not an oil blend. Always check with your hand skin, if the oil is sensitive to your skin.
Epsom salt and vinegar foot soak
When Epsom salt is combined with vinegar and warm water, it is an excellent solution for a foot soak. It makes the skin softer and helps treat athlete’s foot, toenails fungal infection, corns, calluses, and skin irritation.
Vinegar has acidic properties which prevent fungal infections from braking on your feet. To make an Epsom salt- Vinegar foot soak, use one cup of vinegar and one cup of Epsom salt and three to four drops of lavender oil. You will also need warm water, towel and pumice stone. Follow the following steps:
Step 1: Fill your foot bowl with water
Step 2: Put Epsom salt and Vinegar in the foot bowl and mix well.
Step 3: Add a few drops of lavender oil
Step 4: Soak your feet in the solution for about 15 minutes
Step 5: Scrub your feet using a pumice stone and deep your feet again in the foot bath and then rinse
Step 6: Dry your feet thoroughly with a soft dry towel
Step 7: Apply a quality moisturizer
Caution: Consult your doctor about Epsom - Vinegar foot soak in case you are on medication or you have diabetes or heart disease.
Epsom salt feet soak side effects and risks
Some people say that Epsom salt is unsafe, but this is only true when the product is misused. There are a few risks to using the product. However, if Epsom salt is applied topically, it is unlikely that it will have any side effects.
- Epsom salt can dry out the foot skin. To prevent this not unless you are treating fungal infection, do not soak your feet with Epsom salt every day. If you do so on healthy feet, your skin might start peeling off and cracking. Cracked skin can open up any different kind of infection.
- Do not reuse the same Epsom solution you had used to soak your feet.
- Athlete’s foot fungus is very contagious and can live on surfaces for a long time. Thus to avoid spreading the infection, it is essential you pour the water after soaking your feet. Fill up the basin with clean water and new Epsom salt every time.
- Do not immerse broken or cracked skin in the Epsom salt bath.
- To be sure you are not allergic to Epsom salt, test a patch of skin with Epsom salt and water first.
- Stop using Epsom salt and visit a doctor or a foot care nurse if your skin becomes itchy, experience allergic reactions such as hives or rush or any skin infection.
Generally, Epsom salt soaks for the feet can be a safe home alternative to over the counter medications for athlete’s foot. Nevertheless, discuss your options with a doctor before using this remedy to treat your foot or any other skin infection.
While there are success stories of people, who used Epsom foot salt to cure Athlete's foot and toenails fungal infection, remember that there is no clinical evidence to back up the treatment method. However, if you decide to use the salt to treat fungal infection, visit a doctor and discuss the best way to treat the condition if it does not get better.
Other uses of Epsom salt
The wonders of Epsom salt include relaxing the nervous system, relieving pain and aching limbs, healing cuts and burns, drawing toxins from the body. Some of the notable of Epsom salt include:
Ease stress and relax the body - when dissolved in warm water, Epsom salt is absorbed through the skin and replenishes the level of magnesium in the body. The magnesium helps elevation, creating a feeling of calm and relaxation. Specialists believe that bathing with Epsom salt at least three times a week helps someone to look better, feel better, and gain more energy.
Epsom salt relieves pain and muscle cramps - An Epsom salt soak is known to ease and relieve swelling, making it beneficial in the treatment of sore muscles and headaches. Besides, it has been known to heal cuts and reduce soreness from childbirth. Combine a thick paste of Epsom salt with hot water and apply to get soothing comfort. Try soaking your aching, feet in a tub of water with half a cup of Epsom salt. Epsom salt softens skin and neutralizes foot odor.
