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Q. From the 1960s to the 1980s, I had the worst case of smelly athlete's foot that I have ever seen --and that is saying something, because I am a doctor and I have seen (and smelled) many.
The fungus also caused deep, bleeding fissures in the soles of my feet and between my toes. I tried everything: Grisactin, griseofulvin, gentian violet, Clorox, Absorbine Jr., Tinactin (tolnaftate), Desenex liquid and powder, white socks, etc.
In the early 1990s, my mother suggested white vinegar foot soaks. I purchased a gallon and a small basin and I began soaking my feet twice a day. I dried my feet WITHOUT RINSING and dusted my socks with Desenex powder. The fissures stung initially, but the itching and the smell began to fade almost immediately.
Today, 20 years later, I continue this regimen several times a week and I have "Poster Feet:" no smell, no athlete's foot.
You don't need to use more than a half-cup of vinegar at a time, but it should be full strength. Don't rinse it off. Soaks of five to 10 minutes (reading, watching TV, etc.) are enough.
A. Your testimonial is very convincing! We have also heard from other readers who have had success treating athlete's foot with vinegar soaks.
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How can one soak 2 feet in 1/2 cup full strength vinegar? Perhaps a baby foot? Full strength means undiluted, right?
Puzzled, Dear Doc!
Does vinegar help get rid of fungus infections on the toe's?
I am on oral Lamisil, expensive Oxistat cream and the fungus is still growing on my foot. Thank God it is only on one foot. Will try undiluted Vinegar and Desenex. Praying to God this will help.
To Christine. I was told by a tennis partner that she cured her young daughter's 'nail' fungus with Vinegar. I tried it and it did nothing for me. The simple ten dollar cream at the nail salon worked best.
I am the author of this posting about athletes foot and vinegar.
Full strength vinegar = undiluted vinegar.
How much?
Only the thin layer of vinegar that is in contact with the skin has any effect. While you COULD soak your feet in a 50 gallon drum, but doing so won't help any more. I suppose you could take a spray bottle and keep them wet by spritzing them. Either way, the goal is to keep them wet.
On the toes? It worked well between the toes and on the skin of the toes.
I still have fungus in my great toe nail, but that is the only nail that is affected. Here is the problem: Had I NOT used the vinegar, my nails might now be in much worse shape. The bottom line is this: I don't know. It is at least cheap and risk-free and your feet will smell good and not itch within a few days.
Let me know what you experience.
Listerine, vicks vapo rub also helps.
I also swear by the vinegar cure. I had a bad case of athletes foot for about 40 years. I used straight vinegar on my feet from a spray bottle, during the summer months when I was usually wearing some kind of open shoe. I sprayed my feet at least 3 times daily and just let the vinegar evaporate in the warm air. The itching stopped right away and gradually the cracking and peeling too.
What I finally realized however, was that in spite of any meds and natural cures you must treat your shoes, hosiery and surfaces too or you will only RE-CONTAMINATE your feet. Without a doubt this is why so many of us have spent a small fortune on OTC creams which help for only a while. The fungus lives on in rugs, bathroom floors, shower stalls etc. but especially in our shoes and socks.
I soaked my socks and hose in a vinegar water solution, I then used the straight vinegar spray and very thoroughly wiped out the insides of ALL of my shoes, then let them air dry. the vinegar killed the fungus and the odor. I am now two years totally athletes foot free. Thank you God for vinegar!
oh my goodness, you made me laugh so hard, thanks, I needed that. 50 gallon drum!!!!!!!! lol