Athlete's foot is a fungus caused by a yeast called Candida Albicans.
It is the same yeast that is responsible for vaginal infections and oral thrush.
Yeast thrives in environments that are dark, moist and warm and since our feet are covered in socks and shoes, this make them a prime candidate for infection.
This infection is commonly called athlete's foot because this type of yeast tends to affect athletes more often than anyone else, however it can occur for anyone, both male and female.
Shoes provide the foot with a closed environment, which often encourages sweating, and this dampness is especially attractive to Candida Albicans.
People who wear tight fitting shoes are more vulnerable to athlete's foot because the foot and toes may rub against the shoe continuously, which creates tiny little cuts and abrasions where yeast can penetrate and reside.
This is often the cause of toenail fungus as well.
Athlete's foot is easily transmitted from person to person in shower rooms, locker rooms at the gym or spa, swimming pools and towels and is considered to be highly contagious.
Steps to Prevent Athlete's Foot The best athlete's foot remedies consist of prevention.
1.
Don't' wear tight fitting shoes.
2.
Make sure you wear clean socks each day and wear cotton socks because they allow the foot to breathe.
3.
Keep your feet clean and dry.
Let them have some air every day.
4.
Don't put your socks on immediately after showering.
Let your feet dry first.
5.
Don't share towels, toenail clippers or other personal grooming tools.
6.
Keep toenails trimmed.
7.
Protect your feet when you're in public communal areas like showers, gyms or swimming pools by wearing tongs or sandals.
8.
Keep your shoes dry.
9.
Eat a diet that is low in sugar and refined carbohydrates - these foods make Candida Albicans grow rampant.
10.
Supplement your diet with probiotics.
Remedies for Athlete's Foot There are a variety of natural athlete's foot remedies that are effective, however here are the top four.
Just apply any of these substances to the infected area like a cream.
Rub it in good so it will penetrate any areas where yeast has penetrated.
1.
Garlic 2.
Tea Tree Oil 3.
Black Walnut Tincture 4.
Hydrogen Peroxide - Wipe your feet down with hydrogen peroxide before going to bed and don't wash it off.
Alternatively, you can soak your feet in hydrogen peroxide as well.
Wash your socks and towels with hydrogen peroxide to prevent reinfection.
It may also be helpful to spray hydrogen peroxide inside your shoes or bake your shoes in the sun for a while to dry them out good.
Although anyone can pick up a case of foot fungus now and then, if you find that you are continually plagued with it and you must rely on athlete's foot remedies quite frequently to keep it under control, you may have a more serious problem.
Candida Albicans frequently inhabits and proliferates in the gastrointestinal tract.
Repeated bouts of athlete's foot may be an indication that it has set up house in the gut and other steps will need to be taken to eradicate it.
In that case you'll want to learn more about Candida overgrowth and the Candida diet.
It is the same yeast that is responsible for vaginal infections and oral thrush.
Yeast thrives in environments that are dark, moist and warm and since our feet are covered in socks and shoes, this make them a prime candidate for infection.
This infection is commonly called athlete's foot because this type of yeast tends to affect athletes more often than anyone else, however it can occur for anyone, both male and female.
Shoes provide the foot with a closed environment, which often encourages sweating, and this dampness is especially attractive to Candida Albicans.
People who wear tight fitting shoes are more vulnerable to athlete's foot because the foot and toes may rub against the shoe continuously, which creates tiny little cuts and abrasions where yeast can penetrate and reside.
This is often the cause of toenail fungus as well.
Athlete's foot is easily transmitted from person to person in shower rooms, locker rooms at the gym or spa, swimming pools and towels and is considered to be highly contagious.
Steps to Prevent Athlete's Foot The best athlete's foot remedies consist of prevention.
1.
Don't' wear tight fitting shoes.
2.
Make sure you wear clean socks each day and wear cotton socks because they allow the foot to breathe.
3.
Keep your feet clean and dry.
Let them have some air every day.
4.
Don't put your socks on immediately after showering.
Let your feet dry first.
5.
Don't share towels, toenail clippers or other personal grooming tools.
6.
Keep toenails trimmed.
7.
Protect your feet when you're in public communal areas like showers, gyms or swimming pools by wearing tongs or sandals.
8.
Keep your shoes dry.
9.
Eat a diet that is low in sugar and refined carbohydrates - these foods make Candida Albicans grow rampant.
10.
Supplement your diet with probiotics.
Remedies for Athlete's Foot There are a variety of natural athlete's foot remedies that are effective, however here are the top four.
Just apply any of these substances to the infected area like a cream.
Rub it in good so it will penetrate any areas where yeast has penetrated.
1.
Garlic 2.
Tea Tree Oil 3.
Black Walnut Tincture 4.
Hydrogen Peroxide - Wipe your feet down with hydrogen peroxide before going to bed and don't wash it off.
Alternatively, you can soak your feet in hydrogen peroxide as well.
Wash your socks and towels with hydrogen peroxide to prevent reinfection.
It may also be helpful to spray hydrogen peroxide inside your shoes or bake your shoes in the sun for a while to dry them out good.
Although anyone can pick up a case of foot fungus now and then, if you find that you are continually plagued with it and you must rely on athlete's foot remedies quite frequently to keep it under control, you may have a more serious problem.
Candida Albicans frequently inhabits and proliferates in the gastrointestinal tract.
Repeated bouts of athlete's foot may be an indication that it has set up house in the gut and other steps will need to be taken to eradicate it.
In that case you'll want to learn more about Candida overgrowth and the Candida diet.
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