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Athlete's foot is a very common superficial fungal infection which causes itching and irritation between the toes. Other symptoms can include a red, itchy rash between the toes and peeling skins, sometimes with an unpleasant odor. Prevention is the best form of treatment, but failing that there are a number of natural cures which can help.

Athlete's foot is caused by fungi which like moist conditions to thrive in. This means that in order to prevent Athlete's foot you need to keep your feet dry. Drying between your toes after a bath or shower is really important. Wearing cotton socks will allow your feet to breathe which means that they are less likely to sweat. Try not to wear trainers/running shoes for any long periods as these will also encourage your feet to sweat.

Well the preventative measures were forgotten and now you have that annoying, constant itch between your toes, what can you do? Make up a mixture of 2 drops tea tree oil and 1 drop of lavender. Next dip a cotton-wool bud into it and smear between the toes and around the nails. This should be followed up with a foot massage using the following blend:

Athlete's Foot Massage Blend

5 drops Tea Tree Oil
1 drop Lemon Oil
1tsp cold-pressed vegetable oil

Massage this all over the feet paying special attention to the toes. Tea Tree oil is a very popular essential oil for the treatment of Athlete's Foot because of it's anti-fungal properties. Tea Tree Talc is available for the feet, along with Tea-Tree Anti-fungal gels and foot sprays.

Lemon oil is often overlooked, but also has fantastic anti-fungal properties and, in my opinion, smells a lot better than tea-tree! Lavender oil is yet another fantastic oil, often called the first aid kit in a bottle. The use of lavender oil in the initial mixture is because it stimulates the cells to start healing after the tea-tree oil destroys the fungi. Lavender oil will also help to soothe the itchiness and take away any of the redness due to inflammation.

If you continually suffer from Athlete's Foot then you need to look at your diet as changes may be required. It is important that you eat a well balanced healthy diet rich in fresh vegetables, fruit, lean protein and foods high in probiotics. Avoid simple carbohydrates and dried fruit or fruit juices as sugar can feed fungi. Foods high in probiotics such as yogurt and kefir contain friendly bacteria which will also help to fight off fungi.

Pau D'Arco and garlic are two herbs which have anti-fungal properties. Both of these herbs can be taken as a supplement if the problem is severe, but just drinking Pau D'Arco tea twice a day and adding plenty of garlic to your diet can sometimes be enough.

If you do not have any essential oils on hand and want to use something topically then there are a few other things you can try. A vinegar foot wash can be used, first wash your feet and then soak in neat or diluted vinegar for about 5 minutes. This can be repeated up to three times daily.

Another foot soak is the Boric acid soak. Take 1 tbsp on Boric acid and dilute into 1 liter of water. Soak the feet in this for 10 to 20 minutes up to three times daily.

But wait, there's more! Urine therapy is also extremely effective if you can stomach it. Collect the urine from first thing urination in the morning as this one is the most concentrated. Stand in a shallow bowl and soak the affected parts, once a day over five days.

Try not to fall victim of the unbearable itch, but if you do at least there are a few natural solutions on hand to help.

Learn more about this author, Louanne Cox.
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