Comment from: Smokey_Joe, 55-64 Male (Patient)Published: November 25
I cured my athlete's foot, which bothered me for decades and finally was causing toenail separation, by using Vicks VapoRub applied over the entire surface of the foot and pushed under the toenail with a plastic iodine applicator. I was told by a podiatrist that the ingredients in Vicks VapoRub penetrate through the skin, and kill the fungus. I am an electrical engineer in the defense industry.
Comment from: 25-34 Male (Patient)Published: August 24
I had athlete's foot, and I was unable to get rid of it. I used Vicks Vapo Rub, and I just applied it to my feet every night before bed for about two weeks and it was gone. It was cheap and easy.
Comment from: Andrew, 45-54 Male (Patient)Published: August 17
I have suffered from athlete's foot since age 13. I am not 53 years. Only 2 years back I was able to completely eliminate this problem by taking oral tablet GRISOVIN (griseofulvin 125mg). I used to have watery blisters on the soles of both feet, in between the toes and near the nails and sometimes on my fingers and palms of my hands. I have tried topical creams etc to no avail until a dentist told me about GRISOVIN. I also realized I probably have a contact allergy especially when wearing rubber tongs. All of that is over. What a relief. I only have to take the tablet once a day until all the symptoms have disappeared and continued for 2 weeks before stopping. Hope this info helps. I noticed this particular drug was not listed.
Comment from: Angietigerfan, 45-54 Female (Patient)Published: August 17
My son was in a serious car accident and was in the hospital for 30 days while there I would rub his feet with lotion, he had very mild athletes foot, although I was very careful to wash my hands I got a fungus on the pinkie on my left hand, it then spread to my right hand and now my feet, I have been to several doctors tried all the creams and Lamisil by mouth and antibiotic. I read where tea tree oil was supposed to help, so I went to the healthfood store and they introduced me to "Thursday Plantation anti-fungal treatment for nails." It is a very small bottle, but it does work, I also got tea tree oil and peppermint oil and mixed them together, I use this as lotion for my feet and it is slowly getting better, so only the natural stuff worked for me after many doctors' visits and dollars spent on medication.
Comment from: UK patient, 35-44 Female (Patient)Published: August 12
I have had it three times in six months now. Twice it has become infected, with the infection tracking quickly up my foot and the only thing that sorts it out (apart from antibiotics) is using a footbath of potassium permanganate (called Permitabs) twice a day. It's what they used to use for soldiers who had trench foot! Makes your foot skin a bit brown for a couple of days, but it sucks all the moisture out of the area.
Comment from: sydneymale, 45-54 Male (Patient)Published: August 12
I have fairly severe athletes foot in both feet. I tried all the over the counter medicines without success. I eventually went to the doctor's who prescribed an antifungal tablet, this also failed. I then chose to follow some of the advice I saw on the web. Mainly, daily foot soaks with apple cider vinegar (it relieves the itch wonderfully). Vaseline during the day while wearing work shoes (helps a lot). What has really started to help 7 months down the track is daily washing of the feet with an antifungal soap, drying immediately with a hair dryer and using 20% tea tree oil applied with cotton balls. This has entirely stopped the intense itching I had during the day and at night in bed. My skin is also almost entirely healed of cracks. I hope this is going to be the real solution for me. At least I have stopped the itch which was driving me insane.
Comment from: Motheroftwo, 45-54 Female (Patient)Published: March 26
I've had athlete's foot under my breasts, a flap of skin below my tummy area, and also other skin in the groin area on and off for many, many years. It occurs in the underside areas where skin touches skin. (I've never had it on my feet.) The rash, redness, blistering, etc., used to last a couple of weeks. I can't remember the name of the cream/ointment that I last used. Thanks to the advice of a doctor at an emergency clinic, I've cut down on the number of episodes that occur and the duration. He told me to use a hand held (hair) blow dryer on these problem areas after bathing to get the areas completely dry. This is in addition to keeping the area clean.
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Suggested Reading on Athlete's Foot by Our Doctors
The word "rash" means an outbreak of red bumps on the body. The way people use this term, "a rash" can refer to many different skin conditions. The most common of these are scaly patches of skin and red, itchy bumps or patches all over the place.
The term "ringworm" or "ringworms" refers to fungal infections that are on the surface of the skin. A physical examination of the affected skin, evaluation of skin scrapings under the microscope, and culture tests can help doctors make the appropriate distinctions. A proper diagnosis is essential to successful treatment. Among the different types of ringworm are the following: tinea barbae, tinea capitis, tinea corporis, tinea cruris, tinea faciei, tinea manus, tinea pedis, and tinea unguium.
Cellulitis is an acute spreading bacterial infection below the surface of the skin characterized by redness, warmth, inflammation, and pain. The most common cause of cellulitis is the bacteria Staph (Staphylococcus aureus).
Foot pain may be caused by injuries (sprains, strains, bruises, and fractures), diseases (diabetes, Hansen disease, and gout), viruses, fungi, and bacteria (plantar warts and athlete's foot), or even ingrown toenails. Pain and tenderness may be accompanied by joint looseness, swelling, weakness, discoloration, and loss of function. Minor foot pain can usually be treated with rest, ice, compression, and elevation and OTC medications such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Severe pain should be treated by a medical professional.
Itching can be a common problem. Itches can be localized or generalized. There are many causes of itching to include: infection (jock itch, vaginal itch), disease (hyperthyroidism, liver or kidney), reactions to drugs, and skin infestations (pubic or body lice). Treatment for itching varies depending on the cause of the itch.
Jock itch is an itchy red rash that appears in the groin area. The rash may be caused by a bacterial or fungal infection. People with diabetes and those who are obese are more susceptible to developing jock itch. Antifungal shampoos, creams, and pills may be needed to treat fungal jock itch. Bacterial jock itch may be treated with antibacterial soaps and topical and oral antibiotics.
Fungal nails (onychomycosis) may be caused by many species of fungi but the most common is Trichophyton rubrum. Distal subungal onychomycosis starts as a discolored area at the nail's corner and slowly spread toward the cuticle. In proximal subungal onychomycosis, the infection starts at the cuticle and spreads toward the nail tip. Yeast onychomycosis is caused by Candida and may be the most common cause of fungal fingernail.
Dry skin (xeroderma) may be caused by external factors, like cold temperatures, low humidity, harsh soaps, and certain medications, or internal factors, such as thyroid disease, diabetes, psoriasis, or Sjogren's syndrome. Symptoms and signs of dry skin include itching and red, cracked or flaky skin. The main treatment for dry skin is frequent, daily lubrication of the skin.
Diabetes-related foot problems can affect your health with two problems: diabetic neuropathy, where diabetes affects the nerves, and peripheral vascular disease, where diabetes affects the flow of blood. Common foot problems for people with diabetes include athlete's foot, fungal infection of nails, calluses, corns, blisters, bunions, dry skin, foot ulcers, hammertoes, ingrown toenails, and plantar warts.
Regular physical activity can reduce the risk of disease. Regular exercise can also reduce the symptoms of stress and anxiety. There are fitness programs that fit any age or lifestyle.
Jock itch is a common, itchy rash of the groin. It can be a very intense itch
with or without a visible red or pink rash in the groin folds and genitals. Jock
itch is primarily a skin condition in men.
The symptoms of jock itch may come and go, and many cases of jock itch resolve
spontaneously without any treatment. Jock itch is primarily seen in the groin,
although it may spread to the inner thighs, genitals (including penis, scrotum,
labia, and vaginal opening), and anus.
While jock itch is frequently noted in otherwise healthy patients, patients
with diabetes and/or obesity are more susceptible. Possible causes of this
common groin itch include irritation from tight or abrasive underwear, excess
moisture, sweating, skin rubbing or friction, allergic problems, fungal
infection, Candida (yeast) infection, and bacterial overgrowth or skin
infection.
If you think you have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.
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Healthy Living Tips
I cured my athlete's foot, which bothered me for decades and finally was causing toenail separation, by using Vicks VapoRub applied over the entire surface of the foot and pushed under the toenail with a plastic iodine applicator. I was told by a podiatrist that the ingredients in Vicks VapoRub penetrate through the skin, and kill the fungus. I am an electrical engineer in the defense industry.
Related Reading: athlete's foot