Overview
Different types of infections can occur on the feet. Toenail fungus and athlete’s foot are among the common infections that affect the feet. Some fungal infections grow and spread well in dark and moist areas such as the feet. Fungi, molds, and yeast are the major causes of such infections. Whereas prevention offers the best solution for fighting fungal foot infections, other treatments can also treat the condition.
Vinegar
Vinegar is one of the trusted treatments for fungal foot infections. Mayo Clinic medics have confirmed that soaking the infected feet in vinegar is an effective strategy for combating foot fungus. Vinegar contains some acid, which plays a significant part in keeping the skin dry. It also aids in preventing new bacteria from growing. Start by preparing a mixture of water and white purified vinegar. The mixture should contain one part of the vinegar and two parts of water. Once the mixture is ready, soak your feet in it for about fifteen to twenty minutes once in a day. It is important to keep your feet thoroughly dry after soaking them in the mixture. If you are experiencing skin irritation or excessive stinging, it is advisable to increase the quantity of water and decrease the treatment to 2 or 3 times in a week.
Topical, Antifungal, and Oral Medications
Topical medicines can cure fungal foot infections. These medications exist as powders and creams with essential ingredients like tolnaftate, clotrimazole, and miconazole. These ingredients can cure foot fungi such as athlete’s foot. However, it might take two or three weeks for these medications to work as reported by doctors from a medical center in Maryland University. The same applies to topical remedies for nail fungus, especially topical medications that contain urea. In most cases, infected people combine topical medications with antifungal medications or oral medications to fight the infection. It is imperative to take the necessary self-care actions to make sure that prescription and ordinary retail medications work as expected.
Self-Care
In most cases, fungal foot infections respond well because of self-care. It is advisable to wash the feet and the skin between the toes thoroughly and with utmost care on a daily basis. Also, make sure that you dry the cleaned areas completely. It is also important to wear clean cotton socks, especially white socks because they can speed up recovery from foot fungus. Moreover, allow the feet to take in some air by wearing open shoes such as sandals. Do not walk barefooted if you have a fungal foot infection because the feet can pick up more bacteria, which can counter any efforts made to heal the infection.
Laser Treatment
Laser treatment has been used to cure fungal toenail infections since 2008. Houston doctors have reported that this treatment works by destroying the bacteria beneath the nail. This is a painless procedure with most patients reporting total healing. The treated nail remains unaffected because the laser focuses on the pathogens beneath the nail. Another healthy nail grows to replace the spoiled nail within a period of at least 6 months and at most one year.
