Can soaking feet in vinegar cure athlete's foot?

Written by Qu Jing
Dermatology
Updated on April 08, 2025
00:00
00:00

Athlete's foot, also known as tinea pedis, is a condition caused by skin fungal infections affecting the superficial layers of the skin on the feet. For treatment, one can opt for antifungal ointments, and when necessary, oral antifungal medications, which are very effective in killing fungi.

However, using home remedies like soaking feet in white vinegar, salt water, or applying garlic locally is not advisable. These do not effectively kill the bacteria and can instead damage the skin barrier and irritate the skin, potentially causing symptoms such as redness, flaking, and itchy sensitivity.

If the concentration of vinegar is too low, it is ineffective; if too high, it can be intolerable for the skin. Therefore, if you have athlete's foot, it is best to opt for proper antifungal medications and ensure treatment for a sufficient duration.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Qu Jing
Dermatology
2min 1sec home-news-image

Is peeling skin on the feet without itching athlete's foot?

Peeling of the skin on the feet without itching is considered to be a type of athlete's foot characterized by excessive keratinization, commonly occurring on the soles, toes, and heels. The affected skin appears dry, with clear hyperkeratosis, thickening, rough surface, scaling, and deepened skin lines. In winter, cracks can occur, possibly leading to bleeding and pain. This type of athlete's foot generally does not exhibit marked itching symptoms. Besides the hyperkeratinotic type, common forms of athlete's foot include the blistering scaly type and the macerated erosive type, both of which typically have more pronounced itching symptoms. The blistering scaly type often appears on the fingertips, sides of the feet, and toes. Initially, this condition presents as pinhead-sized blisters deep in the skin, with clear fluid and a thick, shiny wall, which are not easily ruptured. These blisters may be scattered or cluster and can merge into larger blisters. Tearing off the blister wall reveals a honeycomb base and a fresh red erosive surface. After several days, the blisters dry up, leading to a ring-like scaling, with lesions continuously spreading outwards. During stable phases of this condition, scaling predominates, and itching becomes more apparent. The macerated erosive type, also known as the interdigital type, is frequently observed between the toes, especially between the third and fourth or fourth and fifth toes, and is commonly associated with hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) and prolonged wearing of rubber footwear. It is more prevalent in the summer and significantly itchy. If a secondary bacterial infection occurs, there may also be an unpleasant odor.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Dong Xian Yan
Pediatrics
37sec home-news-image

Is infant thrush related to athlete's foot?

Infant thrush and athlete's foot are not highly related. Thrush is an oral infectious disease caused by Candida albicans infection, while athlete's foot is a local superficial skin fungal infection caused by fungi such as Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. The pathogens of the two are different and are not related. Thrush is a common oral infectious disease in infants and young children, mostly due to poor immune function in children, lack of oral hygiene, incomplete sterilization of bottles and pacifiers, or contact with children suffering from thrush.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
38sec home-news-image

What is the difference between athlete's foot and tinea pedis?

Athlete's foot and tinea pedis are two names for the same disease, referring to a contagious disease caused by fungal infections. It often manifests as blisters or peeling skin on the soles of the feet or between the toes, with severe itching. If symptoms are severe, cracking or bleeding may occur. It is advisable to treat this disease as soon as it appears, using antifungal creams for a longer course of treatment to fully eradicate the infection. After recovery, it is important to prevent recurrence by avoiding public baths and swimming pools, sun-disinfecting worn socks and shoes, and treating other infected family members simultaneously.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
52sec home-news-image

Is athlete's foot contagious?

Athlete's foot is a disease caused by fungal infections and is highly contagious. Transmission can occur through contact with each other, sharing slippers haphazardly, or going to public baths and swimming pools. Once diagnosed, it is essential to receive formal treatment at a dermatology department in a reputable hospital. Antifungal creams should be applied twice daily for at least one to two months to completely eradicate the deep-seated fungi. Regularly soaking feet in hot water, and ensuring that worn socks and shoes are thoroughly sun-dried to disinfect them, can prevent cross-infection. Even after recovery from athlete's foot, it's important to avoid recurrence by maintaining good dietary and personal hygiene habits. It's advisable to avoid spicy food, refrain from staying up late, and use separate wash basins and bath towels from other family members.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Hu Xiao Cui
Nutrition Science
48sec home-news-image

The difference between beriberi and athlete's foot

Beri-beri and athlete's foot are two entirely different diseases. Beri-beri is a nutritional deficiency disease caused by a lack of vitamin B1 in the body, leading to inflammatory neurological disorders, other neurological diseases, or heart disease. Treatment requires supplementation of vitamin B1, either through injections or orally. On the other hand, athlete's foot is a fungal skin infection, commonly known as "foot fungus." It is caused by a fungal infection of the skin on the feet, leading to congestion, edema, itching, and pain. The treatment for athlete's foot primarily involves the use of antifungal medications, either oral or topical.