Skin & hair
Athlete's foot
A common fungal skin infection of the feet causing itching, redness, flaking, and cracked skin, predominantly between the toes.
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EMERGENCY? CALL LOCAL EMERGENCY SERVICES (911 IN THE US)
Redness spreading rapidly up the foot or leg · Pus, oozing, or open open sores that fail to heal · Fever, chills, or feeling generally unwell · Severe pain or swelling in the foot · Symptom onset in individuals with diabetes or compromised peripheral circulation
Consult a healthcare professional or podiatrist if symptoms do not improve after two weeks of self-care, if you have diabetes or poor circulation, or if signs of a bacterial secondary infection develop, such as spreading redness, warmth, pus, or fever.
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The option members rated highest for Athlete's foot. Not for you? Pick another type below.
Research rating: Traditional use
Long history of use, limited modern trials.
Meticulous Interdigital Drying
What it is
Thoroughly drying the spaces between the toes after washing to eliminate the moist environment fungi need to thrive.
Why it might help
Fungi require high humidity to proliferate; moisture control is clinically recognised as a primary preventative measure.
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Ranked by what members reported actually worked, weighted by how many people tried it.
Research rating: Traditional use
Long history of use, limited modern trials.
Meticulous Interdigital Drying
What it is
Thoroughly drying the spaces between the toes after washing to eliminate the moist environment fungi need to thrive.
Why it might help
Fungi require high humidity to proliferate; moisture control is clinically recognised as a primary preventative measure.
Members-only detail
Plus members see the full protocol, amounts, sourcing, evidence notes and cautions for this approach.
See membership optionsResearch rating: Traditional use
Long history of use, limited modern trials.
Shoe Rotation and Aeration
What it is
Alternating footwear daily and allowing shoes to air thoroughly to break the fungal re-infection cycle.
Why it might help
Fungal spores remain viable in dark, damp environments inside footwear; drying starves spores of essential humidity.
Members-only detail
Plus members see the full protocol, amounts, sourcing, evidence notes and cautions for this approach.
See membership optionsResearch rating: Traditional use
Long history of use, limited modern trials.
Moisture-Wicking Wool or Cotton Socks
What it is
Wearing breathable socks made of natural fibres or technical synthetic blends designed to pull sweat away from the skin.
Why it might help
Natural fibres permit better airflow and moisture absorption compared to standard nylon or polyester socks.
Members-only detail
Plus members see the full protocol, amounts, sourcing, evidence notes and cautions for this approach.
See membership optionsResearch rating: Traditional use
Long history of use, limited modern trials.
Diluted Tea Tree Oil Application
What it is
Applying tea tree essential oil diluted in a carrier oil for its natural antifungal properties.
Why it might help
Clinical studies indicate tea tree oil exhibits moderate broad-spectrum antifungal action against dermatophytes.
Members-only detail
Plus members see the full protocol, amounts, sourcing, evidence notes and cautions for this approach.
See membership optionsResearch rating: Traditional use
Long history of use, limited modern trials.
Diluted Apple Cider Vinegar Foot Soak
What it is
Soaking feet in a mild acidic solution to create an inhospitable environment for fungal growth.
Why it might help
Acetic acid lowers skin surface pH, which can inhibit fungal enzymatic activity and spore germination.
Members-only detail
Plus members see the full protocol, amounts, sourcing, evidence notes and cautions for this approach.
See membership optionsResearch rating: Traditional use
Long history of use, limited modern trials.
Crushed Garlic and Carrier Oil Paste
What it is
Using fresh crushed garlic containing organosulphur compounds to treat localized fungal patches.
Why it might help
Garlic contains ajoene and allicin, compounds demonstrated in laboratory settings to possess strong antifungal activity against Tinea species.
Members-only detail
Plus members see the full protocol, amounts, sourcing, evidence notes and cautions for this approach.
See membership optionsResearch rating: Traditional use
Long history of use, limited modern trials.
Refined Sugar Reduction
What it is
Reducing intake of simple sugars to support immune health and limit fungal overgrowth tendencies.
Why it might help
Elevated blood glucose levels can impair neutrophil function and promote a systemic environment conducive to fungal proliferation.
Members-only detail
Plus members see the full protocol, amounts, sourcing, evidence notes and cautions for this approach.
See membership optionsResearch rating: Traditional use
Long history of use, limited modern trials.
Oral Zinc Supplementation
What it is
Taking elemental zinc to bolster skin tissue repair and immune defense against fungal dermatophytes.
Why it might help
Zinc plays a key role in epidermal cell turn-over, wound healing, and cell-mediated immunity.
Members-only detail
Plus members see the full protocol, amounts, sourcing, evidence notes and cautions for this approach.
See membership optionsResearch rating: Traditional use
Long history of use, limited modern trials.
Over-the-Counter Topical Antifungal Cream
What it is
Applying topical antifungal agents such as terbinafine or clotrimazole directly to eradicate fungal cell membranes.
Why it might help
Terbinafine and azole antifungals are clinically proven first-line treatments with high eradication rates for tinea pedis.
Members-only detail
Plus members see the full protocol, amounts, sourcing, evidence notes and cautions for this approach.
See membership optionsResearch rating: Traditional use
Long history of use, limited modern trials.
Baking Soda Foot Dusting
What it is
Dusting sodium bicarbonate inside footwear and onto feet absorbs excess moisture and neutralises foot odour while creating an alkaline surface environment inhospitable to fungal growth. Seek prompt medical evaluation if you develop spreading redness, severe pain, hot skin, or pus, as these indicate potential secondary bacterial infection.
Why it might help
Sodium bicarbonate displays desiccant properties and mild direct antifungal activity against dermatophyte species in laboratory settings.
Members-only detail
Plus members see the full protocol, amounts, sourcing, evidence notes and cautions for this approach.
See membership optionsResearch rating: Traditional use
Long history of use, limited modern trials.
Neem Leaf Extract Application
What it is
Topical application of diluted cold-pressed neem seed oil delivers natural bioactive compounds that reduce fungal activity and calm inflamed, itchy skin.
Why it might help
Neem contains active limonoids such as nimbin which demonstrate anti-dermatophytic action against Trichophyton species in laboratory trials.
Members-only detail
Plus members see the full protocol, amounts, sourcing, evidence notes and cautions for this approach.
See membership optionsResearch rating: Traditional use
Long history of use, limited modern trials.
Epsom Salt Warm Foot Bath
What it is
Soaking feet in warm water dissolved with magnesium sulphate draws out fluid from blisters, reduces local inflammation, and softens scaly skin.
Why it might help
Hypertonic saline and magnesium solutions help desiccate damp epidermal tissue, creating a less hospitable environment for fungal survival.
Members-only detail
Plus members see the full protocol, amounts, sourcing, evidence notes and cautions for this approach.
See membership optionsResearch rating: Traditional use
Long history of use, limited modern trials.
Fermented Foods and Probiotic Support
What it is
Increasing intake of traditional fermented foods supports gastrointestinal and cutaneous microbiome balance, aiding the body's intrinsic immune defences.
Why it might help
Probiotic microflora produce antimicrobial peptides and help modulate host immune responses against opportunistic fungal overgrowth.
Members-only detail
Plus members see the full protocol, amounts, sourcing, evidence notes and cautions for this approach.
See membership optionsResearch rating: Traditional use
Long history of use, limited modern trials.
Diluted Oregano Oil Application
What it is
Applying diluted wild oregano essential oil provides concentrated carvacrol to targeted areas of fungal irritation between the toes.
Why it might help
Carvacrol and thymol present in oregano oil exhibit strong fungicidal properties against dermatophyte cell membranes in vitro.
Members-only detail
Plus members see the full protocol, amounts, sourcing, evidence notes and cautions for this approach.
See membership optionsResearch rating: Traditional use
Long history of use, limited modern trials.
Prescription Oral Antifungal Medication
What it is
Systemic oral antifungal tablets prescribed by a doctor for severe, persistent, or recalcitrant fungal foot infections that do not respond to topical treatments.
Why it might help
Systemic oral antifungals demonstrate high clinical cure rates for stubborn tinea pedis by treating fungal elements within deep epidermal layers.
Members-only detail
Plus members see the full protocol, amounts, sourcing, evidence notes and cautions for this approach.
See membership optionsResearch rating: Traditional use
Long history of use, limited modern trials.
Antifungal Foot Powder
What it is
Over-the-counter medicated powder containing active antifungal agents such as miconazole or clotrimazole to absorb moisture and eradicate fungal spores.
Why it might help
Topical antifungal powders effectively reduce local fungal load while maintaining an arid microenvironment that inhibits dermatophyte proliferation.
Members-only detail
Plus members see the full protocol, amounts, sourcing, evidence notes and cautions for this approach.
See membership optionsResearch rating: Traditional use
Long history of use, limited modern trials.
Ultraviolet Shoe Sanitiser Device
What it is
An electronic UV-C light insert designed to sterilise the inside of footwear, killing persistent fungal spores that cause reinfection.
Why it might help
Ultraviolet-C light at specific germicidal wavelengths destroys fungal DNA and RNA, significantly reducing fungal spore loads inside footwear.
Members-only detail
Plus members see the full protocol, amounts, sourcing, evidence notes and cautions for this approach.
See membership optionsResearch rating: Traditional use
Long history of use, limited modern trials.
Calendula Infused Topical Salve
What it is
A soothing botanical salve made from marigold blossoms that helps calm inflamed, peeling skin and supports epidermal barrier repair between toes.
Why it might help
Calendula contains triterpenoids and flavonoids demonstrated to exert mild antimicrobial and tissue-regenerative effects on compromised skin.
Members-only detail
Plus members see the full protocol, amounts, sourcing, evidence notes and cautions for this approach.
See membership optionsResearch rating: Traditional use
Long history of use, limited modern trials.
Contrast Temperature Foot Soaks
What it is
Alternating warm and cool foot baths designed to stimulate peripheral circulation, reduce local swelling, and soothe persistent itching associated with tinea pedis.
Why it might help
Hydrothermal contrast therapy induces microvascular vasodilation and vasoconstriction, promoting local tissue oxygenation and temporary relief from inflammatory itching.
Members-only detail
Plus members see the full protocol, amounts, sourcing, evidence notes and cautions for this approach.
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See membershipEducational information only — not medical advice. Speak to a clinician before changing any prescribed treatment.