Athlete’s Foot

Definition

A fungus infection of the foot caused by various dermatophytes, especially Trichophyton rubrum, T. mentagrophytes, and Epidermophyton floccosum, which invade the “dead” outer layers of the skin.
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Symptoms

They include inflammation, burning, itching, scaling, and blisters.
The fungus spreads rapidly when beneficial bacteria are destroyed by antibiotics, drugs, or radiation. It is prevalent and highly contagious in warm damp places such as gyms and pool locker rooms. Care should be taken to protect the feet from direct contact with floors in these places.
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Treatment

Careful attention to hygiene is important. The feet, esp. between the toes, should be carefully dried after bathing. Loose macerated skin should be gently removed and a bland drying powder applied. Shoes that provide good ventilation, and the use of socks that absorb moisture are important adjuncts. Going barefoot in suitable climates will be of benefit. Severe cases should be treated with griseofulvin, but most subacute or chronic cases will respond to one of several fungicidal medications.

Athlete’s foot fungus thrives in an environment of warmth and dampness. It lives off dead skin cells and calluses of the feet, especially the skin between the toes.

Alternate Remedy for Athlete’s Foot
One cup of red clover blossoms boiled until thick. When the pulp has cooled it is bound on the affected parts of the feet after the feet have been thoroughly washed. Soak for 15 minutes. Do this every night until the unpleasant condition is eliminated.
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Nutrients

Maxidophilus, 1 tsp. in water, taken on an empty stomach twice per day, replenishes the “friendly” bacteria that inhibit pathogenic organisms.
Garlic tablets, 2 tablets 3 times per day, aids in destroying fungus (use odorless garlic).
Vitamin B complex, taken as directed on the label (use yeast free product).
Vitamin C (buffered), 3,000-10,000 mg. 3 times per day in divided doses, reduces stress and promotes immune function.
Zinc, 50 mg. per day, inhibits fungus and stimulates the immune system.
Germanium, 100 mg. per day, is a potent antioxidant and pain reliever.
Unsaturated fatty acids, taken as directed on the label.
Vitamin A, 25,000 IU per day, is needed for healing of tissues and to stimulate the immune system.
Vitamin E, 400 IU per day, increase to 1,000 IU slowly.
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Herbs

• Aloe Vera
• Basil
• Bear lichen
• Bloodroot
• Butternut
• Cedar, northern white
• Clover, wild (poultice)
• Dock, yellow
• Elecampane
• Garlic
• Horseradish
• Locust, honey
• Marigold, pot
• Mugwort
• Mullein
• Myrrh
• Osage-orange
• Pau d’arco
• Thuja
• Walnut
• Yerba mansa

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Recommendations

Athlete’s foot sufferers should eat a balanced diet that includes: plenty of raw vegetables, fruits, whole grains, yogurt and other acidophilus containing foods, and large doses of vitamins A, B, and C.
Avoid cola drinks, grains, processed foods, and sugar. Eat broiled fish, and broiled skinless chicken. Do not eat fried, greasy foods. Cut raw garlic into tiny pieces and wear in shoes for a few days. The garlic will be absorbed by the skin. Dust the feet with garlic powder. Wear absorbent socks made of cotton. Air your shoes out and change socks every day. Some believe garlic works better than antifungal drugs that may be purchased without a prescription.
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Suggestions

Keep feet dry; after a shower or bath, dry carefully between each toe. Make sure the towel is used only once and by no one else. Wear shoes or slippers in public locker rooms where the fungus flourishes. This fungus is highly contagious, take precautions not to spread it to your family.

People with recurrent infections of the feet often have a fungal infection in the groin area. Both areas must be treated simultaneously. To prevent transmission of the foot fungus to the groin area, put clean socks on before putting on underwear when dressing, and after bath or shower, dry the feet last.

Apple cider vinegar is an old folk remedy for athlete’s foot. Rub on affected areas several times a day. It might sting a little at first, but hang in there, it works.
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Bibliography

The Nature Doctor: A Manual of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, by Dr. H.C.A. Vogel; Keats Publishing, Inc., 27 Pine Street (Box 876) New Canaan, CT. 06840-0876. Copyright Verlag A. Vogel, Teufen (AR) Switzerland 1952, 1991

The Complete Medicinal Herbal, by Penelope Ody, Dorling Kindersley, Inc, 232 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016, First American Edition, copyright 1993

Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants, by Steven Foster and James A. Duke., Houghton Mifflin Company, 215 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10000

Earl Mindell’s Herb Bible, by Earl Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D., Simon & Schuster/Fireside, Rockefeller Center 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10020

The Herb Book, by John Lust, Bantam Books, 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY. copyright 1974.

Planetary Herbology, by Michael Tierra, C.A., N.D., O.M.D., Lotus Press, PO Box 325, Twin Lakes. WI 53181., Copyright 1988, published 1992

Prescription for Nutritional Healing, Fifth Edition: A Practical A-to-Z Reference to Drug-Free Remedies Using Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs & Food Supplements, by James F. Balch, M.D. and Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C., Avery Publishing Group, Inc., Garden City Park, NY

Taber’s Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary, 15th Edition, F. A. Davis Company, 1915 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103

The Yoga of Herbs: An Ayurvedic Guide to Herbal Medicine, by Dr. David Frawley & Dr. Vasant Lad, Lotus Press, Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, Second edition, 1988.

The Magic of Herbs, by David Conway, published by Jonathan Cape, Thirty Bedford Square, London, England. (Out of print)

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