How to treat fungus on the feet at home folk remedies: recipes

26 November 2021

One of the most common pathologies of the feet and nails are fungi. The treatment of this disease takes a long time, because it is not easy to get rid of the fungal infection. In addition to drug therapy, folk remedies are also used, which give excellent results even in advanced cases. In the early stages of the disease, you can cure the infection with natural recipes at home.

What is foot fungus and ways of infection

Mycosis or dermatomycosis is an infectious lesion of the skin of the feet, interdigital areas, toes, nails. Predominantly fungal foot infection occurs in cultures where it is common to wear closed shoes most of the time. The disease more often affects the elderly and people with weakened immunity due to any serious pathology (immunodeficiency, pemphigus, diabetes mellitus, circulatory disorders in the limbs and others).

The causative agents of fungal infections parasitize in the stratum corneum of the skin. They produce enzymes that break down keratin. Their cell walls (membranes) contain mannan substances that suppress local immunity and contribute to the development of a chronic inflammatory process on the skin. Among the many causes of mycosis, the main ones are Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Epidermophyton floccosum.

You can get the fungus in two ways: directly or indirectly. The first variant of infection offers several versions:

close contact with a sick person;
contact with an infected animal;
through the plants with which the sole comes into contact;
through the soil in which the pathogen lives.

An indirect route of foot mycosis infection occurs:

when using household items or personal hygiene items belonging to a sick person;
when using objects touched by an infected animal.

Symptoms of the disease

Depending on the type of fungus, the specific symptoms of the disease vary. For example, dermatophytes do not show up in any way for a long time, penetrating deep into the layers of the skin or under the nails at this time. If the cause of mycosis is trichophytosis, then the signs of infection are visible immediately - a yeast-like microorganism causes inflammation on the nails and skin, destroying tissues in a short time. It is difficult even for an experienced dermatologist to tell what type of infection the patient has without laboratory tests.

In the early stages of the disease, there are common symptoms of foot fungus:

cracks on the sole;
itching, tingling, dryness, peeling of the skin;
unpleasant foot odor;
discoloration and brittle nails;
shiny skin surface;
thickening and redness of the epidermis;
increased sensitivity of the soles;
occurrence at the site of inflammation of fluid-filled blisters.

Forms of fungal infection

External manifestations of the fungus depend not only on the type of pathogen, but also on the degree of involvement in the inflammatory process of the skin, nails, hair on the feet. Dermatologists distinguish the following forms of athlete's foot:

Squamous form (scaly). In the initial phase, redness and peeling of the skin is observed. Affected areas have different areas.
Hyperkeratosis. Strong roughness of the soles, deep cracks in or near the heels. Both legs are affected at the same time.
Intertriginous form. It is considered the most common. It affects the area between 4 and 5 fingers, less often it develops between 3 and 4. Cracks are replaced by erosion, which begins to get wet, itching and tingling occur. Streptococci penetrate into the loose tissue structure, causing pustular inflammation.
Dyshydrotic form. Watery blisters that appear on the epidermis coalesce. After they hide, extensive ulcers form. Mycosis spreads to the hands.

Treatment of fungus on the feet folk remedies

All folk remedies against foot fungus have several tasks: destroying the fungal mycelium, eliminating the symptoms of inflammation, restoring the integrity of the skin, increasing local immunity, preventing recurrence of the disease. Decoctions and infusions for oral use are used for these purposes, as well as solutions, ointments and dressings for external use.

Numerous plants, minerals, chemical compounds (copper sulfate) and even gunpowder have antifungal properties - this has been proven by scientific research. More than 1000 names of flora representatives with a pronounced fungicidal and antifungal effect have been identified. The composition of such plants includes benzoic and salicylic acid, furocoumarin, novoimanin and other substances that have a therapeutic effect on fungal infection.

Rules and principles of treatment

Before you start to independently treat foot fungus folk remedies, you should consult a doctor to prevent further development of the pathology. It is very difficult to cure advanced mycosis, therefore, if a few days after the start of using one or another method of positive dynamics did not occur, you should consult a doctor.

There are many popular recipes based on the use of herbal and natural ingredients. Home treatment for foot fungus is recommended at bedtime to give time for the remedy to work. Regardless of the chosen method of resolving mycosis, you must adhere to the basic rule: carry out therapy not only until the symptoms completely disappear, but also for some time after that. During therapy it is necessary:

adhere to a low-sugar diet, that is, eliminate sweet, starchy foods from the daily menu;
exclude the use of cosmetic varnish, which creates a favorable environment for the reproduction of pathogenic bacteria;
carry out regular iodine treatment of nail plates affected by fungal infection (with onychomycosis);
disinfect floor coverings and footwear to prevent recurrence.

Foot bath for mycosis of the feet

In the initial stage of the disease, therapeutic foot baths are of great help in relieving symptoms. Traditional medicine offers many ingredients from which these treatments are made. These are decoctions and infusions of herbs (celandine, wormwood, yarrow, oak bark and others), vinegar, soda and other components. Fight the infection daily with a tray, dipping your feet in a warm, freshly prepared solution for 15-20 minutes.

The average course of treatment for adults is 2 weeks, but if necessary, the procedure can be done for longer. Foot baths help not only to stop the growth of fungus, but also to get rid of unpleasant odors, eliminating excessive sweating of the feet. With proper lower extremity hygiene, the positive effect will become visible within a few days after starting treatment. Examples of trays that are easy to make at home to get rid of foot fungus:

Take 3 liters of warm water, stir in 200 g of sea salt. For efficiency, you can add ground cinnamon (1 tablespoon), chamomile decoction or pine needles (250 ml).
Pour warm water into a bowl, add 50 ml of table or apple cider vinegar and a few granules of potassium permanganate. After the procedure, lubricate the affected skin with tea tree oil.

Compresses and lotions

In home complex therapy of foot mycosis, it is recommended to use compresses or lotions. Celandine oil, garlic, onion, alcoholic tinctures, iodized salt, peppermint are used for these procedures. Kombucha, pumpkin pulp, fresh burdock leaves are placed on the sore spots. The selected substances are crushed, applied to the area between the toes and feet for 40-50 minutes, and wrapped on top with a plastic bag (transparent foil). The course of treatment is 1-2 times a day until complete recovery.

Essential oils and natural pastes

Effective treatment of foot fungus at home using natural herbal and essential oils. Tea tree extract (soothes the skin, eliminates itching), lemon (strengthens nails, raises local immunity), cinnamon (prevents the multiplication of fungi), rosemary (regenerates tissue) have proven to be excellent. Effective natural antiseptic lavender oil, which has analgesic and healing effects, eliminates the symptoms of mycosis much faster than other folk remedies.

You can apply the essential oil in pure form (after an allergy test) or make natural pastes by mixing a few drops with any vegetable oil (coconut, cocoa, olive, jojoba). Manipulations must be performed 3 times a day for several weeks. If the nails are affected by mycosis of the feet, then such treatment lasts until the plaque is completely restored (several months).

Herbal decoctions and tinctures

The popularity of medicinal herbs in the treatment of fungal infections is due to their high efficiency and availability. An herbal remedy is used not only to get rid of the fungus but also to prevent infection. The main methods of treating mycosis at home are the application of tinctures (infusion of herbs with ethyl alcohol), decoction (plants are heat-treated in a steam bath to not boil) and infusions (plants are poured over boiling water and infused).

The method and duration of therapy depends on the patient's age, comorbidities and severity of symptoms. Average duration of use: 2-3 times a day for 14-30 days. The most effective antifungal herbs for treating fungal infections are:

birch buds;
cold mint;
aloe;
eucalyptus;
walnut leaves;
medicinal chamomile;
Japanese sophora;
puppeteer;
celandine;
runnik;
Kalanchoe;
common juniper.

How to cure foot fungus at home

Traditional methods of removing fungi have proven to be effective. In order to forget about mycosis of the feet forever, it is necessary to properly care for the foot area during the treatment and after that. For a quick recovery you will need:

dry your skin thoroughly after bathing;
wear only dry and clean shoes;
do not overheat your feet, avoid heavy sweating;
in warm weather wear sandals with open toes;
wear socks made of natural fabrics that have a high level of air permeability and hygroscopicity;
Always wear personal slippers when taking a shower in a public place.

Practical tools and products in the kitchen

It is easy to find folk remedies at home to get rid of the fungus. Every housewife, among the available tools in the kitchen or in the refrigerator, has some kind of cure for mycosis. Most affordable:

Coffee. In this case, the aromatic drink is used for external use. Regular foot baths made from freshly brewed strong coffee will help you cope with the disease.
Garlic. There are many options for using the plant, but the simplest is garlic juice, which is rubbed into the affected tissues. The procedure is performed with a cotton ball 3 to 5 times a day until the symptoms disappear.
Onions. Fresh onion puree should be placed in a plastic bag that is carried on the foot. The edges of the bag must be tied so that the bow does not touch the sole, and the foot is in an improvised steam-air chamber all night. As a rule, 5 sessions are enough to get rid of fungus on the feet.

Pharmacy traditional medicine

If there is no time to look for a cure for foot fungus at home, then an effective remedy of natural origin can be purchased at the pharmacy. Among them:

Potassium permanganate. The drug, popularly known as potassium permanganate, is effective in treating mycosis. To deal with the problem, it is necessary to put a dressing soaked in a solution of potassium permanganate on the foot every night until the problem disappears.
Iodine. Areas of skin affected by the fungus are treated with 5% alcohol solution 2 times a day. Contraindications for such treatment are high sensitivity of the skin and individual intolerance to the ingredients.
iodinol. In onychomycosis, a universal blue solution is used to soften the nail plate, which has managed to become very rough. Iodinol is used to wipe the tissues affected by a fungal infection 2 to 4 times a day.
Propolis. Alcoholic tincture is often used to treat mycoses. You can make a homemade solution by infusing propolis with vodka or alcohol, but this will not affect the effectiveness. For the treatment and prevention of fungus, you need a cotton swab soaked in tincture, apply to the infected area and wait for it to dry completely 1-2 times a day.
Ammonia. One tablespoon of the product should be diluted in a glass of distilled water, then saturate the fabric with the resulting solution, wrap the feet, fasten with adhesive plaster and withstand the compress overnight.
Boric acid. For antifungal therapy, you will need a powder that is sprinkled on the feet and put on socks on top after steaming in the appropriate dose. The procedure is done every night. Boric acid is left overnight.

An herbal remedy for athlete's foot

Some herbs are a natural antibiotic, while others have a complex effect on the affected area. Poisonous plants are often used to treat mycoses, the ingestion of which is unacceptable. The destruction of the membrane cells of pathogenic fungi occurs due to the presence of an aggressive plant environment, which leads to the rapid neutralization of the pathology. Powerful plants include:

black nightshade;
cheremitsa;
male fern;
black lumbago.

Effective folk remedies for foot fungus

In order for folk remedies for mycoses to help, the treatment process needs to be properly organized. Before you start any procedure, it is necessary to steam the feet, cut off the grown nails, sand the loose tissue, remove rough and dead skin. Only then can folk recipes be successfully applied. Natural ingredients not only completely destroy the fungal infection, but also restore a healthy look to the nails and skin. The most effective folk remedies should be discussed in more detail.

Garlic wraps

An old home remedy for fungus on the feet are garlic dressings. The effectiveness of this simple and affordable method is due to the composition of the plant. In addition to vitamins, carbohydrates and protein, garlic contains ascorbic acid which is harmful to harmful microorganisms. You need to be aware that if you use garlic compress unreasonably, you can burn your skin. For that reason, it is necessary to strictly adhere to the dose and duration of therapy during treatment. Garlic compression recipe:

dissolve 50 g of butter, add 1 head of minced garlic, 2 tbsp. l. coarse rock salt and mix well;
apply the resulting mass on sterile gauze in an even layer and apply to the affected areas for 1 hour;
treat with a compress several times a day, leaving the limbs immobile during the procedure;
the recommended course of treatment is 1 month.

Vinegar

You can fight mycosis with any essence of vinegar: wine, apple, rice, malt or cane. The principle of action of vinegar is the penetration of its substances into infected tissues and the destruction of cell membranes of the fungus. Mycosis does not develop under the influence of an acidic environment, because colonies of pathogenic microflora die under its influence. In the initial phase of treatment, a low concentration of vinegar (3%) should be used, which gradually increases.

Before treatment with this method, it is necessary to check the infected area of skin for scratches and cracks to avoid inflammation or chemical burns of the epithelium. If not, then you can start using a vinegar compress:

stir until smooth 2 tbsp. l. nine percent vinegar, 1 tbsp. l. glycerin and 2 tbsp. l. vodka;
dip pieces of bandage into the finished mixture and apply to the site of localization;
after the bandage dries, re-moisten the bandages in the medicated mixture;
the time of using the dressing should not exceed 1 hour per day;
course duration - 2 weeks.

Soda

Treating foot fungus with baking soda at home gives good results. At the first suspicion of a fungal infection, it is necessary to use sodium bicarbonate (sodium bicarbonate), which reduces the acidity of the epidermis. In addition to the antiseptic effect, baking soda softens the skin and nail plates, allowing the medication to penetrate more easily after use. Under the influence of alkali, the affected tissues become more susceptible to the action of any other treatment.

In mycosis, soda can be used dry, diluted with water and in combination with other natural or unnatural ingredients. With onychomycosis, soda paste will be more effective. To prepare you will need:

3 tbsp. l. soda mix with 1 tbsp. l. water until a thick and homogeneous mass is obtained;
then soda paste should be applied to the affected nail, avoiding contact with the skin;
after that the mass must be acidified with freshly prepared lemon juice, which will react immediately with soda;
the solution must be removed 5-7 minutes after application and wash your feet with soap;
the procedure is performed daily before bedtime until the condition of the nails improves.

Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil has been used in dermatology for more than ten years, because it has proven to be a very effective remedy for skin pathologies. The natural composition of the essential fluid determines its cytotoxic activity, ie the ability to fight against pathogenic microorganisms. Treatment options will vary depending on whether the infection is skin or nail.

You can cure a nail plate by dripping 1 drop of tea tree oil on the affected area every day. It will take about 2 months for the nail to fully recover and strengthen. It is best to use a diluted extract to treat the soles. To do this, it is necessary to take vegetable oil (3 parts), mix with essential oil (1 part), shake and apply on the skin 2-3 times a day for 1, 5 months. It is better to regulate the course of treatment with a doctor. Clove essential oil can be used as an analogue.

Hydrogen peroxide

In the fight against fungal infection helps hydrogen peroxide, which is considered the best antiseptic with pronounced antibacterial action. The drug is widely used both in medicine and at home to treat fungal infections. Hydrogen peroxide does not accumulate in the body, therefore the development of any allergic reactions is excluded. In mycoses, baths are effective to help soften the affected epithelium for further flow of antifungal gels, ointments, creams or sprays prescribed by a doctor.

Making a hydrogen peroxide foot bath at home is easy:

pour warm water into a bowl and add 3% preparation in the amount of 100 ml per 2 liters of water;
lower your feet into the bowl and hold for 20 minutes;
to keep the solution from cooling, it is necessary to add small portions of boiling water;
after the float procedure, remove the softened tissue;
remove moisture with a sponge and apply the prescribed medicine to the skin surface;
bathe daily until the condition improves.

Laundry soap or tar

For more than ten years, people have been treated for fungal infections at home with the help of tar or laundry soap. By following the rules for treating the affected skin, you can quickly get rid of itching and unpleasant foot odor. To speed up tissue healing, you need to combine soap with salt or iodine. The following recipe will help improve blood circulation in the tissues:

steam your feet in warm water before bed;
then lather them thoroughly with laundry soap;
treat soapy feet with a cloth and then a float;
then wipe dry, smear with cream;
treat areas of infection with birch tar fungus;
soak it for 1. 5 hours, then remove with cotton pads;
wear clean socks on your feet and do not take them off for 2 days;
repeat the procedure once a week until the problem is eliminated.

Salicylic ointment

The main advantage of treating mycosis with salicylic ointment is its high antifungal activity. The drug kills pathogens, prevents their reproduction, eliminates keratinized layers of the epidermis and rarely causes side effects. For mycosis of the feet, apply salicylic ointment in the form of a compress. On softened skin or nail plate, the drug in a concentration of 5 or 10% is applied in a thin layer, after which the foot is placed in a plastic bag, and socks are placed on top. The procedure lasts 1 hour 2 times a day for 10 days.

Propolis

As already mentioned, propolis for mycosis is as effective as a tincture. The alcohol component also has a positive effect on pathogenic microorganisms. From the bee product it is possible to prepare an ointment, which must be rubbed overnight into the affected areas for 10-14 days. His recipe is simple:

mix 20 g of chopped propolis (without wax) and 100 g of buckthorn oil;
heat the ingredients in a water bath for 30 minutes;
cool the mixture, strain through gauze, use as directed.

Celandine and chamomile

It is believed that medicinal herbs, especially chamomile and celandine, will get rid of fungal infections the fastest. It is better to use them together. To achieve a quick effect, you need to drink chamomile soup or tea (to boost general immunity) and make baths with an infusion of celandine. One should know that fresh juice from the latter burns, so it should be used in pure form with extreme caution.

Crushed stems of the dried plant are needed for infusion. In a glass of boiling water it is necessary to boil 1 tbsp. l. celandine, leave for 1 hour, then dilute with a little hot water. In mycoses, the solution is used for therapeutic baths that are done every day for 15 minutes. As a rule, such treatment alleviates the initial stage of the disease in 14 days.

Marigold infusion

The flowers of this plant contain a large group of biological substances that have strong antimicrobial action. Especially fast, marigold infusion copes with onychomycosis. Before using the medicine, the nails must be steamed and treated. After mechanical cleaning of the nail plate from fungal plaque and dead tissue, it is necessary to moisten a cotton pad in the infusion and apply it to the affected area. The procedure is done daily for 4-8 weeks. The product is easy to prepare at home:

Pour 1 tablespoon with a glass of boiling water. l. dried or fresh marigold flowers;
do not insist in a water bath for 10 minutes;
cool, strain, store at a temperature not higher than 4 ° C.

Attention! The information presented in the article is for informational purposes only. Article materials do not require self-medication. Only a qualified physician can make a diagnosis and make recommendations for treatment, based on the individual characteristics of a particular patient.