Athlete’s foot, also known as tinea pedis, is a common fungus infection in which the skin of the feet, especially on the sole and toes, becomes itchy and sore, with scaling, inflammation and blisters. Blisters that break, exposing raw patches of tissue, can cause pain, oozing, swelling and disagreeable smell. Sometimes this disease can spread to the toenails and other body parts.
It is also possible to spread the infection through contaminated bed sheets, towels, or clothing. Athlete’s foot is more severe and more common in people taking antibiotics, steroids, birth control pills, and drugs to suppress immune function, and in people with obesity, lowered immunity, and diabetes mellitus.
Athlete’s foot received its common name because the infection is often found among athletes. This is because the fungi flourish best in and around swimming pools, showers and moist, damp, dark places with poor ventilation.
Most people carry fungus on their skin. However, it will only flourish to the point of causing athlete’s foot if conditions are favorable. Sweaty feet, tight shoes, synthetic socks that do not absorb moisture well, a warm climate, and not drying the feet well after bathing—all contribute to the overgrowth of the fungus.
Self-Help Guidelines & Ayurvedic Remedies
• Dry your feet thoroughly especially between your toes after bath, either with a cotton towel, or with a hair dryer. Antiperspirants such as sphatika bhasma (alum) may be used on your feet to keep down the sweating. Wear absorbent socks, preferably cotton, and wash them in hot water with bleach. Keep your shoes well ventilated, and give them ample time to dry before wearing again. If possible, remove the insoles of shoes to allow them to dry out over night and apply vinegar to avoid re-infection. Open-toed sandals are good to wear as they allow the feet to dry. Do not share your shoes.
• Soak the feet in a solution of swarjikaakshaara (baking soda) for about 30 minutes daily. This will maintain the acid-base relation of the skin and keep your feet dry. Alternately add two tablespoonfuls of laundry bleach to 3 or 4 liters of warm water and soak your feet for 10-15 minutes twice a day.
• Wash the feet in a mild solution of tankana bhasma (A compound of boric acid and soda). A mixture of two teaspoonfuls of table salt to half liter of warm water is another good soaking solution. Soak your feet for 10-15 minutes and dry thoroughly. The salt eradicates the fungus and reduces perspiration.
• Another household remedy is cinnamon (Daalchin). Bring 4 cups of water to a boil, add 8-10 broken sticks of cinnamon, reduce heat to low and simmer for five minutes; remove and steep, covered, for 45 minutes. Use it for foot bath.
• Dab alcohol or spirit on the affected area with cotton balls and allow drying. Aloe-vera gel, apple cider, vinegar, honey—all are equally effective as external applications.
• The compound known as ajoene, found in garlic, is a powerful anti-fungal agent. One method is to rub a clove of raw garlic on the fungus. A second method is to put some freshly crushed garlic on the affected area and leave it on for half an hour; wash with water. Do this once a day for two weeks to see the result. If the garlic burns, remove, wash with water and try again with diluted garlic juice. Onion juice is also similar and effective in action.
• Mahaa marichyaadi tailam, an ayurvedic oil made from black pepper and few other effective ingredients exhibit anti-fungal and anti-itching properties. Rubbing some on the affected area with a cotton ball several times a day for three to five weeks should eliminate the problem.
• A healthy diet should be maintained. Foods with high sugar content should be avoided, including undiluted fruit juice. Eat several servings of curd daily and take a reasonable amount of the B-vitamins in the form of natural food grains to rebuild your flora and help fight infection in case of antibiotic usage.
• Dadrughna lepa (external), gandhaka rasaayana (internal) etc., are some of traditional ayurvedic medicines that are usually prescribed to treat Athlete’s foot. This problem usually responds well to ayurvedic treatment, but it is important to complete the recommended treatment, even if the skin appears to be free of fungus; otherwise, the infection could return.