Athlete's Foot!

greenfiremajick · Jan 17, 2011

I'm not looking for any medical advice, I'm only curious if any one else out there suffers from athletes foot like I do? It's so incredibly painful, dry and itchy I can barely stand it. I want to chop my feet off! I've tried several OTC medications, topical and spray and now I am trying tea tree oil foot soaks and tea tree oil/aloe Vera homemade ointment. I wear cotton socks and dry my feet thoroughly and wash them after work. Not sure what else to do! Does anyone else suffer like I do?

Strong, peppermint essential oil, mixed with grapeseed oil 3 x's a day is what I use on my guinea pigs if they have a fungal outbreak. Works like a charm w/in 2-3 days!

wishinguponastarLPN · Jan 17, 2011

I'm not looking for any medical advice, I'm only curious if any one else out there suffers from athletes foot like I do? It's so incredibly painful, dry and itchy I can barely stand it. I want to chop my feet off! I've tried several OTC medications, topical and spray and now I am trying tea tree oil foot soaks and tea tree oil/aloe Vera homemade ointment. I wear cotton socks and dry my feet thoroughly and wash them after work. Not sure what else to do! Does anyone else suffer like I do?

I also suffer from this especially when I do 12 hr shifts. I have found that often less is more. My ritual that works for me using baby powder with corn starch on my feet before I put my socks on then once I get home I wash my feet then allow them to air dry the rest of the night, no socks. This has helped me tremendously!

eriksoln, BSN, RN · Jan 17, 2011

The things that helped me:

1. Started using bleach when I laundered my socks.

2. Changed socks very frequently, at least twice a day.

3. Stopped wearing shoes until they were falling apart. Bought new shoes more frequently.

4. A foot powder or baby powder in the shoes to help reduce sweat/moisture.

Music in My Heart · Jan 17, 2011

Spend as much time as you can barefoot.

netglow, ASN, RN · Jan 17, 2011

I don't have the problem so I've never tried these, but know people who swear by vinegar or listerine. I guess you'd have to do some research to find what/how.

morte, LPN, LVN · Jan 17, 2011

if you where washable shoes, wash them, frequently.

imagenthings · Jan 18, 2011

my friend did what eriksoln did, and also soaked her feet in a bleach and water solution. that athlete's foot went scampering never to return. also wash your washable shoes with some bleach in the water and throw out the leather ones, else you would re-infect yourself.

not sure what is the safe mixture of bleach to water to human flesh. but it worked.

EMSnut45, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Jan 18, 2011

When I was younger, I had horrendous problems with athletes foot. My mom used to soak my feet in warm water with a splash of bleach. We recently tried some oxyclean and warm water with my boyfriend with great results. You also have to treat your shoes at the same time or you risk cross contamination.

Good luck!!

sevensonnets · Jan 18, 2011

Soak your feet twice a day in apple cider vinegar and warm water. Works great!

neuroms · Jan 18, 2011

Boo, you must have your feet in working order. Go get rx fluconazole--the definitive goto for hard to treat feet.

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Jan 18, 2011

don't forget to change footware and alternate 2 pairs shoes to allow them to dry out.

if 2-3 weeks of home remedies or otc treatment not working, then time to see pcp or podiatrist. occassionally, undiagnosed diabetes is present or so severe an infection that oral antifungal meds needed. other conditions may mimic athelete's feet like lichen plorifice

home remedies for athlete feet - athlete feet natural treatment ...

athlete's foot: medlineplus medical encyclopedia

athlete's foot-treatment overview

lichen plorifice

no futher medical advice permitted.