by Kimberley Heit

Created on: April 06, 2008   Last Updated: August 02, 2010

The fungal infection, Athlete's foot, can cause some very unpleasant side effects like itchiness and cracked feet. It usually responds well to drug therapy, but many sufferers also benefit from natural cures. They can be used as a form of complimentary medicine to aid healing, or in some cases may form a complete treatment on their own.

Many of the natural cures for Athlete's foot are things which you may already have on hand and in a lot of cases they can help to reduce incidents of re occurrence.

There are ten simple ingredients that can be used to treat athlete's foot:

1. Baking soda 

Baking soda can help in two ways. Firstly a solution of baking soda in a bucket full of water has an exfoliating effect. This rids the skin of dead cells and changes the pH balance. This means the bacteria can no longer feed off dead skin cells. Secondly dusting dry baking soda onto the affected area will help dry the area out. Athlete's foot thrives on moistness so this will also help destroy the infection. Apply after every shower and keep applying for a few weeks after physical signs have disappeared.

2. Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil has amazing antiseptic and antibacterial properties. This gives it the ability to fight infection and kill fungi. The stronger the application of tea tree oil the greater the result. If your skin is not sensitive apply a few drops of straight tea tree oil to the affected areas several times a day. A milder alternative is a solution or cream that has 25-50 percent tea tree oil. With either of the techniques continue to apply the tea tree for about a month to reduce the likelihood of a relapse.

3. Tea

Boil approximately six teabags and pour into a bowl that you can soak your feet in. When the water will not burn, place your feet in and soak them for at least half an hour. The tannic acids help kill bacteria and are soothing on irritated skin.

4. Apple Cider vinegar

Either pour directly over the skin or soak feet in a bucket filled with equal parts Apple Cider Vinegar and water. Perform these treatments for around 20 minutes before washing and drying feet thoroughly. Repeating this treatment for several weeks should clear up the infection.

5. Epsom salts

soak your feet twice daily in a solution of Epsom salts and water. These salts have a drying effect.

6. Salt water 

Simply dissolve some salt in warm water and soak your feet in the solution. Salt water has been used as a way to kill bacteria for hundreds of years. It was

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