d clotrimazole. You should speak to a pharmacist to select an appropriate treatment for you although you can buy a wide range of creams, powders and sprays without a prescription.
These kill the fungus and need to be applied until a full two weeks after the skin appears to be normal again to fully eradicate any lingering fungal spores.
Many plants have natural antifungal properties. For example: Neem tree, tea tree, red thyme, lemon oil. These properties help plants, particularly those native to the humid Tropics, protect themselves against fungal invasion and disease. They may not act as fast as some conventional chemical treatments but are not known to have harmful side effects, particularly to the liver, that concern some people when considering long term use of medicines. Herbal preparations are best used as early as possible where their preventative qualities help to manage long term recurring infections.
Customer testimonials do report effective and satisfactory treatment and in many cases, such as tea tree oil, extensive scientific research has been carried out with positive results.
Dry well between your toes after baths or showers. The feet are certainly more prone to athlete's foot when they are warm and moist, so it seems to occur more frequently in people that wear artificial soles and especially trainers and sports shoes. It helps to spend time with bare feet when you can. Not changing your socks on a regular basis can also encourage the build up of fungi in between the toes and try to wear socks made of natural fibres, especially cotton.
It can help some people to change their diet. This is worth considering especially if you have suffered from other fungal infections such as Candida, vaginitis or jock itch. Avoid bread and yeast products (including beer). Some people have found taking supplements to be helpful in boosting the immune system.
Acidophilus Take yogurt with live cultures or acidophilus capsules.
Beta Carotene 25,000 IU of beta carotene.
Garlic To boost the immune system and ward off fungal infections, take 6-8 capsules of garlic daily.
Vitamin B-complex Take tablets daily.
Vitamin C Take 500-3,000 mg of vitamin C in divided doses.
Vitamin D and E Take 400 IU each of vitamins D and E.
Zinc Take 15-50 mg of zinc. More than 15 mg of zinc should not be taken for more than a week or so without medical supervision as it may interfere with absorption of other minerals.
Some people seem more prone to athlete's foot than others. For example, people with excessively sweaty feet are more likely to develop fungal infections and should treat this condition. People prone to Candida, thrush and other fungi may also be more susceptible particularly after antibiotics and other treatments that destroy helpful bacteria.
Antibiotics can compromise the immune system by killing the good bacteria with the bad, leaving the person susceptible to infection. Without the good bacteria, the intestines can't synthesize the B vitamins which help enhance the immune system. To remedy this situation, eat several servings of yogurt with live cultures daily and take a high dosage of the B vitamins to rebuild your flora and help fight infection.
In general fungi thrive on moist, warm environments. Which is why this condition usually occurs in between toes due to an accumulation of moisture. Bruising, injuries or cracks in the skin can allow entry for the fungus.
There is probably a personal predisposition to develop it. Many people have the fungus present on their skin but are unaffected by the microscopic organism. While it does not necessarily spread like wildfire through a family, it can nevertheless be spread between individuals. A common point of infection is bathrooms, showers, swimming pools and changing rooms so wear slippers or shoes.
• At the first sign of a flare up or after sports, hiking or other shoe-bound exertion use Funki Foot Soak and soak your feet for 15 minutes in a mild case but up to half an hour if you are prone to severe infections. This will often help to avoid symptoms appearing completely.
• If symptoms