Can soaking feet in ginger cure athlete's foot?

Written by Zhang Shu Kun

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Updated on April 21, 2025

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Soaking feet in ginger can effectively treat athlete's foot, but it requires a longer duration. If the soaking time is too short, it will not be effective in treating athlete's foot and needs to be carried out over a long term. Generally, it is recommended to soak for about 15 to 30 minutes—neither too long nor too short. Soaking for too short a period will be ineffective, and soaking for too long may cause some negative effects, so extra attention is needed. Regular foot soaking also benefits the body by promoting blood circulation, unblocking meridians, and improving physical constitution.

Other Voices

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Written by Dong Xian Yan

Pediatrics

37sec

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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.

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Written by Qu Jing

Dermatology

2min 1sec

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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.

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Written by Liu Gang

Dermatology

46sec

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What vitamin is lacking in athlete's foot?

Athlete's foot is a disease caused by fungal infections, and it is not related to a lack of vitamins or trace elements. Once it occurs, it is highly contagious and recurrent. Contact with others or wearing each other's slippers can lead to cross-infection. Once it appears, it is advisable to apply antifungal cream as early as possible. The treatment should be prolonged, lasting at least one month, or even more than two months, to potentially kill the deep-rooted fungus completely and prevent recurrence. During the treatment of athlete's foot, it is also important to regulate one's diet and lifestyle habits. Avoid public baths and swimming, try not to keep small animals at home, do not wear others' slippers, avoid spicy and stimulating foods, and do not stay up late.

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Written by Qu Jing

Dermatology

1min 2sec

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Can soaking feet in vinegar cure athlete's foot?

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.

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Written by Zhu Zhu

Dermatology

29sec

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Can water blister type athlete's foot be punctured?

For vesicular athlete's foot, if blisters appear, it is advised not to puncture them because the blisters contain fungi. Puncturing them can cause the infection to spread to others. Additionally, once the blisters are broken, it is more susceptible to secondary bacterial infections, resulting in a combined fungal and bacterial infection. If vesicular athlete's foot occurs, it is crucial to promptly treat it with antifungal cream.