Cure Athlete’s Foot with Time-Honored Remedies like Absorbine Jr.

Have you checked out your toes lately? Look closely at the area between the toes to see whether there is red or peeling skin. If there is, you might have athlete’s foot, and you may find that the area is itchy or ouchy. What can you do to cure your athlete’s foot? What if “athlete’s foot” (tinea pedis) is not always strictly a fungal infection?

We have been writing for decades that toe skin that is red, itchy, scaly, peeling and cracked is caused by these primary fungi:

• Trichophyton rubrum
• Trichophyton floccosum
• Epidermophyton floccosum

There are several other species that look like athlete’s foot, but I won’t bore you with any more Latin names.

I will suggest, however, that some athlete’s foot cases could be caused by a bacterial infection or a mixed bacterial and fungal combination. That will doubtless come as a surprise to many dermatologists and podiatrists who have been taught for decades that the redness, itching, peeling and burning that affects toes and feet is exclusively fungal in origin.

What If Athlete’s Foot is

We recently received a message from a physician who challenged our traditional thinking about ways to cure athlete’s foot.

Q. You’ve written about symptoms associated with athlete’s foot. Fungus is not the only condition that can cause these symptoms.

As a physician, I never prescribed oral medication without laboratory confirmation (culture, microscopy, etc.) of the diagnosis. I can’t tell you how many patients came to me on oral terbinafine (a prescription antifungal medicine). In some cases, they’d been taking it for many months to treat a condition that obviously was never fungal in origin. Even in cases of proven fungus on the feet, symptoms between the toes may be due to bacteria. No one gets better without addressing that.

Home remedies like Absorbine Jr. are strong antibacterial agents. They work better, and more safely, than antibiotics. This is an important area that needs to be re-taught.

A. Absorbine Jr. dates back to 1903. The active ingredient is menthol. This compound, which occurs naturally in mint plants, has both antibacterial and antifungal activity (International Journal of Molecular Sciences, May 20, 2026).

This may help explain why some readers have found Absorbine Jr. helpful for treating athlete’s foot. Some of the “inactive” ingredients in Absorbine Jr. such as calendula, Echinacea, thymol and wormwood also have antimicrobial properties.

What Really Causes Athlete’s Foot?

As mentioned, most healthcare professionals were taught that athlete’s foot is caused by a fungal infection of the skin on the feet. But a lovely study published in the journal Microorganisms (Jan. 16, 2025) tells a different story. The authors examined the records of 14,429 skin specimens collected over nearly five years. These were patients who had visited dermatologists and podiatrists.

What makes this research so compelling is that the specimens were subjected to qPCR analysis. In other words, this approach allowed for genetic testing to determine the precise organisms causing the skin problems.

News Flash! Tinea pedis is not exclusively fungal in nature. That could explain why many athlete’s foot remedies fail to eliminate the problem for everyone. They only treat fungal infections.

The researchers report that many of the specimens that were analyzed also showed evidence of:

• Pseudomonas aeruginosa
• Corynebacterium minutissimum
• Staphylococcus aureus
• Staphylococcus epidermidis

Those are bacterial!

The authors suggest that:

“In cases of tinea pedis complicated by concomitant bacterial colonization/infection (i.e., “dermatophytosis complex”), patients may present with severe symptoms, including malodor [smelly feet], pruritus [itching], inflammation and skin maceration, which may warrant the use of antifungal and antibacterial agents.”

According to these researchers, “up to one-quarter of the United States population is affected by tinea pedis (athlete’s foot).” For decades, healthcare professionals have treated these patients exclusively with antifungal drugs. It’s hardly any wonder that many people were not cured with such an approach.

PCR diagnosis has been available for decades, but it has not been utilized effectively to diagnose athlete’s foot. Because so many infections are “mixed” (fungal and bacterial) treating tinea pedis with just antifungal meds is going to be unproductive for a lot of patients. Perhaps that is why Absorbine Jr. worked so well in the hands of the doctor who wrote to us recently.

Home Remedies vs. FDA-Approved Medications

Most healthcare professionals like to use the words “Evidence-Based Medicine.” It means that there are clinical trials to support a particular treatment. It sounds so very scientific. Home remedies that have been around for more than 100 years are frequently sneered at as quaint relics from a bygone age.

But experience can be extremely important and should not be dismissed. The physician who wrote to us to explain why the oral antifungal drug terbinafine did not always work was on to something. His experience with Absorbine Jr. suggested that this old-fashioned remedy, with both antifungal and antibacterial activity, could help his patients.

We have heard from many readers that Neosporin (an antibacterial topical ointment) can help overcome hard-to-treat “fungal” nail infections. We would bet that the same situation affects nails. Perhaps “toenail fungus” is a mixed bacterial infection that needs something more than an antifungal medicine. If you find that idea intriguing, please check out this article:

Could Toenail Fungus Be Bacterial Infection? Neosporin Cure?
Infected nails can be hard to treat. Doctors may blame fungus but some nail infections are bacterial. Could that explain the Neosporin Cure?

Neosporin is not for everyone, though. The antibiotic neomycin can cause a serious allergic skin reaction for susceptible individuals.

How Do People “Catch” Athlete’s Foot?

You can pick up athlete’s foot from shared locker rooms at swimming pools or workplaces. People who aren’t aware that they are infected may inadvertently spread the organisms to other parts of their bodies where they can cause jock itch, under-breast rash or other problems.

Fungi and bacteria love warm, moist, dark spaces. Consequently, if you wear shoes in the summertime, you are providing them with exactly what they want. Some people are extremely susceptible to this infection, while others are resistant. Individuals who have sweaty feet and a genetic predisposition may be especially vulnerable. In addition, those with elevated blood sugar due to diabetes or prediabetes may also be easy prey to these organisms.

Can You Cure Your Athlete’s Foot with Over-the-Counter Medicines?

Numerous over-the-counter medications can help discourage athlete’s foot fungi. You will find them as creams, powders and gels.

Antifungal ingredients such as clotrimazole (Desenex Cream, Lotrimin AF, Mycelex Cream), luliconazole (Lulicon Cream, Luzu), ketoconazole (Nizoral shampoo), miconazole (Cruex Topical Spray Powder, Lotrimin AF Powder, Micatin, Monistat), terbinafine (Desenex Max Topical Cream, Lamisil AT) or tolnaftate (Aftate, Desenex Spray, Dr. Scholl’s Athlete’s Foot, Tinactin, Zeasorb-AF Powder) can often clear up mild infections. Sadly, we have not seen any head-to-head comparisons that would allow us to say a spray is better than a powder or a cream is superior to a solution. Ditto for one antifungal chemical vs. another.

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People often have a co-infection with bacteria that won’t respond to antifungal treatment alone. Moreover, repeated use of the same antifungal medicine could trigger resistance by the fungus. In particular, T. rubrum, a common cause of athlete’s foot, is becoming resistant to terbinafine (Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, June 27, 2017). As a result, antifungal treatment to cure your athlete’s foot is not a matter of once-and-done. It requires persistence, or else a slightly tamed fungal infection can roar back with a vengeance. The same is true for home remedies. Persistent application is key.

Home Remedies for Athlete’s Foot

Vinegar and Water Soaks:

One reader reported success with a simple remedy applied conscientiously. Her teenage son had suffered athlete’s foot for years, despite treatment with prescription antifungal cream and over-the-counter powders. Finally his mother tried having him soak his feet daily in a solution of one-third white vinegar and two-thirds warm water. After a week, the athlete’s foot was greatly improved. She also soaked his socks in a vinegar solution before washing them.

Dermatologists have even published a recommendation to wear vinegar-soaked socks for 10 to 15 minutes a night to treat athlete’s foot and toenail fungus (Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, online, Sept. 22, 2017). We haven’t seen any reports of fungi developing resistance to vinegar, at least not yet. People often inquire whether apple cider vinegar or white vinegar is better. Because there have been so few studies of this home remedy, the two versions of vinegar have not been compared. We suspect they are about equally effective.

Gail had success for her daughter with vinegar:

“I haven’t had athlete’s foot since I was a child, but I wonder if your readers have had any success with soaking in a vinegar solution.

“When our daughter had trouble with some kind of foot infections that didn’t respond to the pediatrician’s prescribed medications, he sent her to a dermatologist. The dermatologist recommended soaking in a vinegar solution, which cleared it up. (She also recommended changing socks in the middle of the day to keep the feet dry.)”

Pam in Modesto, California, has a vinegar variant:

“The only thing that gets rid of athlete’s foot in our household is by making a spray or foot soak out of equal parts of organic apple cider vinegar and filtered water. We add about 1 teaspoon of sea salt to 8 oz. of spray – shake it or mix it up and instant relief!

“After drying the feet with a blow dryer, we apply Melaleuca or Tea Tree oil (antifungal). Repeat at least in the morning and at night before bed – several times a day, too, if possible.”

Listerine:

Listerine is another popular treatment for athlete’s foot. We have heard from numerous people that they have had success soaking their feet in amber Listerine. This popular mouthwash contains thymol, which has both  antifungal and antibacterial activity.

Q. Upon learning that Listerine could help control athlete’s foot, I first thought that meant soaking your feet in Listerine. That could get quite expensive over time.

I have found a more affordable solution. After my shower, as I am drying off, I pour a partial capful of amber Listerine across my toes, using my fingers to work it between and under my toes. I wiggle my toes around to make sure it gets everywhere. My toes are completely dry by the time I put my socks and shoes on.

This has completely taken care of my athlete’s foot problem without using bottles and bottles of Listerine!

A. Readers of this column have been using old-fashioned amber Listerine to treat a variety of fungal and bacterial infections including nail fungus, athlete’s foot and jock itch. A popular strategy for nail infections is a 20-minute foot soak in a solution of equal parts white vinegar and Listerine. (See the story below.) That may be needed to allow the solution to soak through to the infected nail bed. For athlete’s foot, your strategy sounds cost-effective.

You can learn about inexpensive ways to treat many common ailments in our book, The People’s Pharmacy Quick & Handy Home Remedies.

Elaine in Marshall, North Carolina, likes amber Listerine:

“Try the amber Listerine. I sponge it on twice a day to start, then get down to a maintenance dose of once a day.”

L. in Georgia also likes Listerine:

“Amber Listerine works best for me too. Just put onto a cotton ball and dab between toes.”

Thymol:

One reader offered this report:

Q. I listened to a radio program in which you mentioned thymol as a very effective fungicide. I noticed that thymol was the active agent in Seventh Generation Disinfecting Wipes.

Since I was having early symptoms of athlete’s foot, I used one of the wipes on my feet after showering. Within four days all my symptoms were gone. This is the best cure I’ve found. It’s low cost and it smells good too!

A. Thymol is an essential oil from the culinary herb thyme. It has antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial activity (Journal of Medicinal Food, Nov., 2016; BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Aug. 30, 2016).

This natural compound is an important ingredient in both old-fashioned amber Listerine mouthwash and Vicks VapoRub. That may explain why many people find those products helpful against fungal and bacterial infections.

Thymol is found in many herbs such as basil and oregano as well as thyme (Food Chemistry, Nov. 1, 2016). In addition to fighting off fungi and bacteria, thyme has been used to treat coughs, colds and other common ailments. Trying it out to cure your athlete’s foot makes sense.

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Hand Sanitizer:

Another reader had problems with recurrent athlete’s foot, even after using several OTC creams.

She discovered a different approach:

“I finally started using alcohol hand sanitizer instead of soap to clean my feet and have not had an issue since then.”

One person uses straight rubbing alcohol:

“Over the years I have had athlete’s foot occasionally. I’ve never used anything except rubbing alcohol. Usually, once a day in the evening before bed. I slosh a small amount over my toes and rub it between each toe. It burns at first, but not bad, and the athlete’s foot is gone within a week.”

J.W.H. says Head and Shoulders Shampoo was able to cure athlete’s foot:

“Since the 1960’s, I have cured/prevented athlete’s foot by washing my feet in the shower with Head and Shoulders hair shampoo. If you use Head and Shoulders on feet that already have athlete’s foot, it will burn a little for the first 2 days. It will be gone in less than a week. To prevent it, wash your feet with it once or twice a week.”

Urine:

One simple remedy is universally available for free, though it probably isn’t approved by dermatologists.

A woman wrote:

“My Dad was in the Navy during World War II, stationed in the South Pacific. He had horrendous athlete’s foot, cracked and bleeding, and was being treated by the doctors.

“He was told by an old salt to pee on his feet, yet Dad persisted with the doctors for another month or so, with no improvement. So he started peeing on his feet and it was very effective, clearing the infection up in short order. Dad is now 94 and he still tells that story. It worked for him and it works for me, too.”

Paul uses a similar approach:

“This may sound gross, but I used to have chronic athlete’s foot because my feet sweat. I had tried various medications with only temporary relief. It was a line from a movie – but I started urinating on my feet in the shower (first thing, so all the subsequent water washes the shower stall) and I have not had a single episode since. I also was having a yellowing toenail that was breaking off – also cured. Once or twice a week seems to be enough. And it’s free.”

Vicks VapoRub:

Jim in Raleigh, NC, was able to cure athlete’s foot with Vicks VapoRub:

“I rub a little Vicks VapoRub between my toes while I’m trying to control my toenail fungus and my athlete’s foot has been cured for several years. I wish I could say the same for the toenail fungus…”

Coconut Oil:

W.P. used coconut oil:

“I had a bout of athlete’s foot a few months ago. I rubbed coconut oil (which is antimicrobial) over my toes a couple times a day and then put on socks. The problem ended and no recurrence.”

Sesame Seed Oil:

Carol found a helpful idea in a book:

“Years ago, I read about a cure for athlete’s foot in a book by Dr. Deepak Chopra, M.D. He wrote that one should apply or pour (organic) SESAME SEED OIL on the athlete’s foot fungus, because the oil would prevent oxygen from getting to the fungus, and the athlete’s foot fungus would die of oxygen starvation. I tried pouring some organic sesame seed oil on my athlete’s foot I had at the time, and IT WORKED! No pain, and like magic, within a day or so, the athlete’s foot was gone!”

Whatever strategy you choose to cure your athlete’s foot, it will require patience. Keeping your feet clean, dry and exposed to air can be helpful as well. Perhaps sandals will be a good choice for summer footwear. People with toenail fungus are often reluctant to wear sandals for fear of showing their unsightly nails. Antifungal foot soaks you might use to cure your athlete’s foot may also be helpful for nail fungus.

Amber Listerine and White Vinegar for Nail Fungus

A number of readers have combined vinegar with another favorite remedy, old-fashioned amber-colored Listerine mouthwash used as a foot soak.

Q. Ten years ago, I had toenail fungus. I soaked my feet in a Listerine and vinegar 50/50 solution for an hour every day for a week. That sounds like a lot of time, but I was stubborn and really wanted to get rid of it. I live in Hawaii where everyone wears flip flops.

This really worked for me. I’m hoping to use the same solution now to get rid of my athlete’s foot. My doctor was amazed, especially since he wanted to give me a pricey prescription I would have had to take for a long time.

A. We’re amazed this remedy worked so quickly. It normally takes several months for infected nails to be replaced with healthy tissue. The thymol in Listerine has well-established antifungal and antibacterial properties (BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Aug. 30, 2016).

Mary has tried this remedy as well. She notes the importance of persistence:

“Some years ago I did the vinegar and amber Listerine soaks–recommended here–each day for about 20 minutes. Definitely a commitment and annoying, yet after about 4-6 months the bad nails grew out and new fresh nails appeared. After so many years with ugly nails, I was thrilled.

“However, what I thought was fixed was not. A reader at the time wrote that the soak needs to be continued for a time after a new nail comes in. I did not do this, so all the time I put into soaking was lost. The nail fungus returned.

“Frustrated, I went for a laser treatment. Not only was it expensive, but she did all the toes and what resulted was the spread to 5 more toes! Do not waste your money.

“Right now I am using Vicks or spraying with hydrogen peroxide occasionally just to keep it at bay and be able to wear sandals. One day I will commit to the vinegar/Listerine soaks again. That worked! Just remember to keep it up for a time after you think the problem solved. That reader taught me an important lesson.”

How Do You Cure Your Athlete’s Foot?

Share your secret in the comment section below. If there is a medication that works best for you, we would love to learn about it. If a home remedy can cure your athlete’s foot, please let others know about your recipe.

Now that you know athlete’s foot and nail “fungus” can be caused by both fungal and bacterial infections, you may have new respect for home remedies. Why not check out our book, The People’s Pharmacy Quick & Handy Home Remedies.

Please share this article with friends and family. We bet that most of your acquaintances still believe that athlete’s foot and toenail infections are caused by fungi! You could surprise them with this article.