Expert Foot & Ankle Treatment from Michigan’s #1 Podiatrist - Balance Foot & Ankle Specialist
Foot Fungus Home Cures
Podiatrist SECRETS!
Foot Fungus Podiatrist Recommended Home Cures
Foot Fungus Home Cures: New skin typically takes about 30 days to grow out and replace the old, damaged layers. The key to successful home treatment for foot fungus is making sure that as this new skin forms, it remains healthy and fungus-free. Consistent care, proper hygiene, and the right remedies help stop the infection from spreading, allowing the new skin to heal fully. By targeting the fungus at its source, these cures work to restore clear, healthy skin and prevent future flare-ups, giving your feet a fresh start with every new cycle of skin growth.
Causes of Foot Fungus
- Foot fungus is caused by bacteria and fungus living undead dry skin and sweat.
- The more you sweat, the more fungus can lead to this dead tissue.
- The more you have been dry skin, the more likely foot fungus will live on this tissue.
- The key is to manage your sweat and dry skin, especially in the wintertime.
- It is sometimes called athlete’s foot because athletes sweat a lot and have endured the damp socks that bacteria and fungus can live on.
Symptoms of Foot Fungus
Symptoms of foot fungus usually include:
- Redness, burning, and tingling.
- Itchy Redskin.
- Dry, itchy skin.
- Redness and irritation.
- Numbness, burning, and tingling.
What Is Foot Fungus?
Foot fungus is a superficial infection on the skin of the foot:
- Millions of people in the USA and even more around the world have it!
- It is a widespread infection to have.
- Most people get it in moist areas such as pools and showers.
- This can lead to dry skin, flaking, itching, and pain.
- In fact, it should be assumed that most constantly dry and thick foot skin is due to foot fungus!
- Foot fungus can also present as thick fungal nails.
To Learn More About Foot Fungus- Click Here.
Before Going to the Home Cures:
Consider some good options that you can order online.
- These can be a little bit easier than home cures if you have a few spare bucks!
- At the very least, you need a foot soak tub.
- Otherwise, enjoy the more cost-effective home cures.
Best Foot Fungus Products
Best Foot Powder Option For Shoes.
Best Shower Body Wash
Best choice for Foot Bath Mix
Best & Most Cost Effective Foot Soak Tub.
Price:
$26.31
$17.99
$16.95
$18.97
Overview:
3 pack of foot powder spray. This is great for shoes and feet, but not as practical outside the foot or shoe.
Great cost effective shower wash.
Mix of epsom salts, tea tree oil for a good price.
This is a cost effective tub for foot soaks. You still need to also buy a foot soak powder or solution!
Pros:
If you sweat in your shoes, this is your best bet. This will soak up sweat and kill fungus. Very effective and excellent Amazon reviews. 3 pack online is the price of one bottle at the store.
Over 5,000 5 star amazon reviews. Great reviews, medically proven component in tea tree oil. All natural with excellent results.
Epsom salts and tea tree oil have proven effect. Epsom salts make your loose skin flake off and tea tree oil is anti-fungal. Great price and near 5 star review on Amazon.
Excellent choice for cost effective foot soak tub. Top notch reviews on amazon, great price.
Cons:
Powder makes a big mess. Good for shoes but it can get powder inside your shoes. Can have chemical like smell.
Can be more expensive than regular soap. It may not be enough by itself without soaking or especially further toenail treatment.
Foot soak by itself may not be enough to fix your problem, but a component. You also need a foot tub.
Not much downsides, it’s a tub! But you have to get foot soak powder or antifungal solution separately.
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Best Foot Fungus Products
Best Foot Powder Option For Shoes.
Price:
$26.31
Overview:
3 pack of foot powder spray. This is great for shoes and feet, but not as practical outside the foot or shoe.
Pros:
If you sweat in your shoes, this is your best bet. This will soak up sweat and kill fungus. Very effective and excellent Amazon reviews. 3 pack online is the price of one bottle at the store.
Cons:
Powder makes a big mess. Good for shoes but it can get powder inside your shoes. Can have chemical like smell.
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Best Foot Fungus Products
Best Shower Body Wash
Price:
$17.99
Overview:
Great cost effective shower wash.
Pros:
Over 5,000 5 star amazon reviews. Great reviews, medically proven component in tea tree oil. All natural with excellent results.
Cons:
Can be more expensive than regular soap. It may not be enough by itself without soaking or especially further toenail treatment.
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Best Foot Fungus Products
Best choice for Foot Bath Mix
Price:
$16.95
Overview:
Mix of epsom salts, tea tree oil for a good price.
Pros:
Epsom salts and tea tree oil have proven effect. Epsom salts make your loose skin flake off and tea tree oil is anti-fungal. Great price and near 5 star review on Amazon.
Cons:
Foot soak by itself may not be enough to fix your problem, but a component. You also need a foot tub.
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Best Foot Fungus Products
Best & Most Cost Effective Foot Soak Tub.
Price:
$18.97
Overview:
This is a cost effective tub for foot soaks. You still need to also buy a foot soak powder or solution!
Pros:
Excellent choice for cost effective foot soak tub. Top notch reviews on amazon, great price.
Cons:
Not much downsides, it’s a tub! But you have to get foot soak powder or antifungal solution separately.
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Foot Fungus Home Cures:
There is not plenty of medical studies available for home remedies because there is no one to fund them!
- But studies show that skin fungus is very superficial and easy to cure.
- Most of the following home remedies have been shown to have a consensus success rate by patients!
Apple Vinegar Soak Treatment
Pros:- + Easy to use method.
- +Very cheap and readily available at home.
- + 85% success rate.
- – Can irritate the skin in some people.
Why Does It Work?
- A Michigan State University (MSU) study shows that Vinegar has anti-fungal properties.
- This study focused on fungal toenails, but skin fungus is much more superficial and easier to treat than toenail fungus.
- Apple Cider Vinegar provides an inhospitable acidic environment for the fungus.
- It is a fungicidal chemical. This means that it kills the fungus rather than just preventing its growth.
- It is prevalent to hear people say they feel immediately better after using this for a short time!
Success Rate:
- Skin takes approximately 30 days to progress from the stem cells to the superficial skin.
- For this reason, treatment must be approximately 30 days in length.
- Studies have shown that if only 2 weeks of treatment are performed, a cure is achieved by 20%. If 4-6 weeks of treatment are maintained, then the cure rate is about 65-85%
- If you still have skin fungus after 4-6 weeks, you may have something and should see your physician!
Instructions:
- Pour some apple vinegar or some white vinegar (either is fine) into a tub of warm water.
- The mixture can be 1/3 or less if your skin becomes irritated.
- Normally use about 1/2 to 1 cup of vinegar and dilute it with water. Then soak!
- If the skin becomes irritated, then slow the treatment down; do it every second or third day instead of daily.
- The skin needs about 4 weeks’ worth of treatment to get better, but if the fungus comes back, do this again!
- Put lemon or orange peels into the vinegar while you are storing it within the fridge. This will help eliminate the vinegar smell.
Pros:
- + Easy to use method.
- +Very cheap and readily available at home.
- + High success rate, but perhaps not as potent as vinegar.
- +Less caustic(harmful) to the skin as vinegar.
Cons:
- – It can get all over your sheets.
Why Does It Work?
- A Spanish study indicates that the components of Vick’s Vapor rub are very anti-fungal.
- The Mayo Clinic, on the other hand, states that more treatment studies are necessary.
Vick’s Vapor Rub contains ingredients that have been independently proven to have anti-fungal properties in studies.
- Camphor (4.8%).
- Thymol (1.2%).
- Menthol (2.6%).
Success Rate:
- Skin takes approximately 30 days to progress from the stem cells to the superficial skin.
- For this reason, treatment must be approximately 30 days in length.
- Studies have shown that if only 2 weeks of treatment are performed, a cure is achieved by 20%. If 4-6 weeks of treatment are maintained, then the cure rate is about 65-85%
- If you still have skin fungus after 4-6 weeks, you may have something and should see your physician!
Instructions:
- Rub a small amount onto the affected regions every night before you go to bed.
- The exact amount is not extremely important, do not go crazy with large amounts.
- Put some socks over it, so it does not get onto your sheets.
- Remember to keep using it for at least 4 weeks!
Pros:
- + Easy to use method.
- + All Natural.
- + Fairly cheap, <$10 per bottle.
- + Also works on the toenails.
- + 85% success rate if used correctly.
- + Does not irritate the feet.
- + Can be used as a topical or a foot soak.
Cons:
- – Can irritate the skin in some people.
- – Soaking feet can be annoying.
- – Can smell, but ways to make it smell better.
- – Careful if you have diabetes.
- – Careful if you have peripheral neuropathy.
Pros:
- + Easy to use method.
- + Double use for a readily available home product.
- + Readily available in most homes.
- + Also works on the toenails.
- + Can be applied as a topical without having to soak.
- + Very high success rate.
- + Not very irritating to the skin.
- + Based on medically proven ingredients.
- + Nice smell.
Cons:
- – This treatment may not be as potent as some of the other home remedies.
- – Annoying to apply every night.
- – Can become expensive.
- – Costs about $10 for a 1.5 L jug of Listerine.
- – No specific medical trials for using it.
Topical medications and powders!
Look, I know I said this was a home remedy guide, but these things are cheap and effective!- Sprays and powders really are your best bet.
- They are easy to put on & very cost-effective.
This is the moccasin distribution of foot fungus on the bottom of the foot. This can lead to significant pain and swelling.
So skip to the complete treatment guide and learn about them!
Toenail Fungus Acts As a Fungus Reservoir:
- Don’t forget about toenail fungus as a possible cause of foot fungus.
- Sometimes I see patients make the big mistake of repairing their foot fungus, but it simply comes right back from their toenail fungus!
The fungus under your toenails can come out and reinfect the skin and web spaces of your foot.
It is important to cure both the skin fungus and the toenail fungus!
Consider these easy options for toenail fungus treatment:
- These are great options that you can order online for a pretty reasonable price.
Best Toenail Repair Products:
Best Toenail Repair Pen.
Top Choice For Direct Toenail Application.
Great Option For Foot Soak.
Great Tea Tree Oil Treatment
Price:
$14.44
$24.88
$17.97
Price not available
Overview:
4 Pens with quick dry application that leaves a sealing lid on top. Easy to store and apply. Key is still to trim/file the toenail first!
All natural option that is toxic to fungus. This is similar to tea tree oil in that respect but can be more effective. You still need to exfoliate dead skin and trim thick toenails.
Safe, cost effective and relaxing all at the same time! This needs to be used in a 20 minute foot soak. Works well for exfoliating loose skin/toenail as well as softening.
Tea Tree Oil is well studied and an all natural anti-fungal treatment.
Pros:
Easy to use, quick drying. This fills into the cracks and seals them with minimal mess. This is great for sealing even dehydrated keratin granulations.
All natural, relatively cost effective. 1,000s of reviews with excellent results. Very clean and quick drying, easy to apply.
Very safe, little risk, low cost and very effective if used correctly. The key is to use it as an aid to soften and exfoliate loose/dry dead skin and toenail.
Great reviews at 4.7/5 at 500+ overall reviews. Well proven and natural option.
Cons:
0% chance of working if your toenail is loose and has no blood supply. Make sure you trim and file any loose finger or toenail. Otherwise “0% CHANCE OF WORKING!” You cannot restore a dead toenail without blood flow.
Small amount and a little more expensive than some other options. Once more has 0% chance of working if your goal is to heal a dead, detached toenail or dry skin. Are you noticing this is a trend? This is really the key!
It once more has 0% chance working if you are trying to save loose and dead crusty skin. Fungus will always grow on this if no blood flow. It can not regenerate dead skin, only exfoliate it.
Not the greatest amount of solution, the all natural solutions can be more expensive.
Crucial Tips:
There is some evidence that these active ingredients work, just be aware: These are not FDA approved and massively studied medications!
There is some evidence that these active ingredients work, just be aware: These are not FDA approved and massively studied medications!
There is some evidence that these active ingredients work, just be aware: These are not FDA approved and massively studied medications!
Although tea tree oil does nave studies and is antifungal, it is not an FDA approved medication and not studied for this specific use.
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Best Toenail Repair Products:
Best Toenail Repair Pen.
Price:
$14.44
Overview:
4 Pens with quick dry application that leaves a sealing lid on top. Easy to store and apply. Key is still to trim/file the toenail first!
Pros:
Easy to use, quick drying. This fills into the cracks and seals them with minimal mess. This is great for sealing even dehydrated keratin granulations.
Cons:
0% chance of working if your toenail is loose and has no blood supply. Make sure you trim and file any loose finger or toenail. Otherwise “0% CHANCE OF WORKING!” You cannot restore a dead toenail without blood flow.
Crucial Tips:
There is some evidence that these active ingredients work, just be aware: These are not FDA approved and massively studied medications!
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Best Toenail Repair Products:
Top Choice For Direct Toenail Application.
Price:
$24.88
Overview:
All natural option that is toxic to fungus. This is similar to tea tree oil in that respect but can be more effective. You still need to exfoliate dead skin and trim thick toenails.
Pros:
All natural, relatively cost effective. 1,000s of reviews with excellent results. Very clean and quick drying, easy to apply.
Cons:
Small amount and a little more expensive than some other options. Once more has 0% chance of working if your goal is to heal a dead, detached toenail or dry skin. Are you noticing this is a trend? This is really the key!
Crucial Tips:
There is some evidence that these active ingredients work, just be aware: These are not FDA approved and massively studied medications!
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Best Toenail Repair Products:
Great Option For Foot Soak.
Price:
$17.97
Overview:
Safe, cost effective and relaxing all at the same time! This needs to be used in a 20 minute foot soak. Works well for exfoliating loose skin/toenail as well as softening.
Pros:
Very safe, little risk, low cost and very effective if used correctly. The key is to use it as an aid to soften and exfoliate loose/dry dead skin and toenail.
Cons:
It once more has 0% chance working if you are trying to save loose and dead crusty skin. Fungus will always grow on this if no blood flow. It can not regenerate dead skin, only exfoliate it.
Crucial Tips:
There is some evidence that these active ingredients work, just be aware: These are not FDA approved and massively studied medications!
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Best Toenail Repair Products:
Great Tea Tree Oil Treatment
Price:
Price not available
Overview:
Tea Tree Oil is well studied and an all natural anti-fungal treatment.
Pros:
Great reviews at 4.7/5 at 500+ overall reviews. Well proven and natural option.
Cons:
Not the greatest amount of solution, the all natural solutions can be more expensive.
Crucial Tips:
Although tea tree oil does nave studies and is antifungal, it is not an FDA approved medication and not studied for this specific use.
Affiliate Link (Buying through these links will connect you to Amazon):
Other Related Nail Problems:
See if any of these other problems apply to your situation!
Foot Fungus Home Cure: Trusted Foot & Ankle Solutions
Step into knowledge — before you step into treatment.
Why Choose Balance Foot & Ankle Specialist in Howell and Bloomfield Hills?
At Balance Foot & Ankle Specialist, our experienced podiatrists combine expertise, compassion, and proven treatment methods to guide patients toward effective foot fungus home cures. With state-of-the-art facilities, personalized patient education, and comprehensive care, we’ve become a trusted choice for foot and nail health in Howell and Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Our goal is to help eliminate fungal infections, promote healthy new skin and nails, and restore your confidence—so you can walk comfortably and without discomfort.
Foot Fungus Home Cure – Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, mild cases of foot fungus can often be managed at home with proper hygiene, antifungal creams, and natural remedies like tea tree oil or vinegar soaks. However, severe or persistent cases should be seen by a podiatrist.
Common home remedies include soaking feet in diluted vinegar, applying tea tree oil, keeping feet dry, and wearing breathable footwear. Over-the-counter antifungal creams can also be effective.
New skin takes about 30 days to grow out. Consistent treatment is key—most home remedies may take several weeks to show results, and in some cases, professional care may still be needed.
Yes, foot fungus can return if preventive steps aren’t followed. Keeping feet clean and dry, wearing breathable socks, and disinfecting shoes can help reduce recurrence.
Most home remedies are safe, but people with diabetes, circulation problems, or weakened immune systems should avoid self-treatment and consult a podiatrist immediately.
If symptoms worsen, spread, or don’t improve after a few weeks of home care, you should see a podiatrist for stronger antifungal treatments and professional evaluation.
Toenail fungus is usually more stubborn than skin fungus. Some home remedies may help, but professional treatment is often needed for toenails since they grow slowly and infections are harder to reach.