Can soaking feet in mugwort leaves cure athlete's foot?

Written by Xia Min
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Updated on September 12, 2024
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Mugwort leaves, as is widely known, are a type of Chinese herbal medicine. They predominantly exhibit a warming quality and are mainly used for foot soaks to treat ailments caused by cold-dampness and wind-cold, as well as conditions related to cold. In typical cases, athlete's foot, which is a fungal infection caused by fungi leading to inflammation, should be treated with antifungal medications, not by soaking in mugwort leaves. It's only effective for treating symptoms caused by cold conditions and wind-cold dampness, not athlete's foot. Therefore, it is recommended to choose antifungal medications for the treatment of athlete's foot. (Be sure to follow a doctor's guidance regarding specific medications.)

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Written by Liu Jing
Dermatology
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What should I do if I have severe athlete's foot?

The so-called athlete's foot, also known as tinea pedis, is an infection caused by dermatophyte fungi. It requires symptomatic antifungal treatment, enhanced cleaning of the foot skin, frequent changing of shoes and socks, keeping the feet dry, and oral antifungal medication. Before taking the medication, it is necessary to test liver and kidney function and peripheral blood count. If there are no contraindications to medication, drugs such as oral terbinafine hydrochloride tablets and itraconazole dispersible tablets may be prescribed, along with topical antifungal medications like naftifine ketoconazole cream, luliconazole cream, or miconazole cream applied to the affected area. The treatment should follow the principle of adequate dosage and duration. Typically, the course of treatment needs to last three weeks or more to achieve a complete cure. (Please follow the doctor's orders when using medication.)

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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The causes of athlete's foot

Athlete's foot is caused by a fungal infection, and while the cause of the disease is clear, the specific process of infection is complex. Casual habits such as wearing flip-flops recklessly, sharing foot basins at home with others who have athlete’s foot, soaking in public baths, swimming, or having pets at home, as pets often harbor fungi, can all potentially lead to the disease. Once the disease occurs, it is imperative to treat it early. Long-term use of antifungal creams, applied for at least one to two months continuously, is necessary to completely kill the deep-seated fungi and prevent recurrence of the condition. After recovery, it is also important to maintain proper dietary and lifestyle habits, avoid wearing flip-flops recklessly, and stay away from public baths and swimming pools.

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Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
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Are athlete's foot and foot odor the same thing?

Athlete's foot and tinea pedis are actually the same type of disease; they are the same thing. "Athlete's foot" is another common name for tinea pedis. Both are superficial fungal skin diseases caused by fungal infections of the skin on the feet. The treatment methods are the same, using antifungal medications. It is important to avoid sharing slippers, foot towels, or bath towels with others.

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Written by Liu Jing
Dermatology
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What should I do if my athlete's foot is very itchy?

Athlete's foot, also known as tinea pedis, can manifest as intense itching of the skin. First, it is necessary to enhance the cleanliness of the foot skin, avoid various irritating causes, and provide standard and effective antifungal symptomatic treatment. Oral antifungal medications such as itraconazole or terbinafine can be used, and various antifungal ointments can be applied to the affected area, such as the commonly used naftifine-ketoconazole cream, terbinafine cream, luliconazole cream, and miconazole cream. The treatment should last more than two weeks to avoid the recurrence of symptoms. Everyday, it is necessary to frequently change shoes and socks, maintain dryness, ventilation, and good breathability, and avoid dampness. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Zhang Shu Kun
Traditional Chinese Medicine
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Can mugwort ash treat athlete's foot?

Mugwort ash actually cannot help cure athlete's foot, but if you soak your feet in mugwort ash or mugwort over a long period of time, it can significantly help improve the condition. This is because soaking in hot water accelerates local metabolism and promotes blood circulation, thereby effectively relieving and improving the condition. Mugwort itself can achieve the purpose of relieving itchiness and dispelling dampness, which can significantly help in conditioning the body and providing relief. For cases of athlete's foot, it is necessary to manage it through regular physical exercise or daily foot soaks.