Oops: Tiny Patch of Foot Fungus: Home or Other Remedies for Bfeeding Mom?

Updated on June 05, 2010
J.R. asks from Washington, DC
11 answers

Dear Mommas, I have a different type of question than usual and appreciate your considerate and thoughtful responses: I just came back from a pedicure :) and found out I have a tiny patch of foot fungus :( on one foot. Do any of you have a good home remedy that a bfeeding momma can use. (I bfeed our toddler - 2-3 times a day).

In addition, as we have one bathroom/shower in the house, is washing the tub with soap and hot water after I shower enough to prevent its spread to my husband or little one???

Should I wear a sock on that foot so I don't spread it to my husband and a cuddling child via sheets?

Any prevention tips?

Many thanks for your advice and tips, as I cannot contact my dr. until after the week-end.

1 mom found this helpful

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S.B.

answers from Dallas on

Apple cider vinegar is great for this. My hubby has fought this problem for years. OTC never worked and neither did the variety of prescriptions he tried. Some ladies on this site suggest we try apple cider vinegar. He did it daily for a week and the problem was gone! Now he does it every week or so as "maintenance".

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R.A.

answers from Boca Raton on

tea tree oil, it works like magic.
Good for your long term breastfeeding! Keep it up!

2 moms found this helpful
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S.C.

answers from Fort Wayne on

Is it like athletes foot? I get athletes foot and I just use Lotrimin on it twice a day. It takes about a week to go away. I showered barefoot and I never passed it on to my kids or husband. If you're worried about transmitting it, just wear shoes or socks in the house. You could wear flip flops in the shower.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.C.

answers from Orlando on

I have had good results in the past with Tea Tree Oil. Apply 2 - 3 times per day. Available in health food stores. However, it is not an overnight cure. Takes some time. Also, even though it is a natural product so you avoid the chemicals I have no idea if it is safe during breastfeeding. You would want to check that out. Good luck.

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C.O.

answers from Sacramento on

Tea tree oil.

Pee on your feet in the shower, and let it sit for a few minutes before rinsing off.

1 mom found this helpful

C.R.

answers from Dallas on

You can go to CVS or Walgreens and get some colorless iodine. Cover the area twice a day until you see the skin return to normal. It will get rid of it ") It's not that likely to spread if you are actively treating it.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.

answers from Tampa on

Dont put any nail polish on it and try and get some sunlight on your toes. My husband tried so many remedies, but only sunlight and oil of OREGANO worked (Vinegar and ea Tree didnt work for him but he had a very bad case on several toes). Also, make sure you clean any of your closed toe shoes that you may have worn after infection. Sunlight and disifectant spray works well for shoes.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.C.

answers from Houston on

Soaking a couple of times a day in apple cider vinegar or listerine will clear it up within 7-10 days.

1 mom found this helpful

V.W.

answers from Jacksonville on

Soak your foot/feet in vinegar. It is a natural disinfectant, and also works for the kind of fungus that causes foot odor. I have several friends who had their children soak a couple times a week, when they were going through a "stage" where they had it all the time.

Here are some ideas:
Take frequent soaks. Various soaking agents can help keep the feet dry, which may also control odor.

Tea. Tannin, which can be found in tea bags, is a drying agent. Boil three or four tea bags in 1 quart of water for about 10 minutes, then add enough cold water to make a comfortable soak, instructs dermatologist Diana Bihova, M.D., clinical instructor of dermatology at New York University Medical Center in New York City.

Soak your feet for 20 to 30 minutes, then dry them and apply food powder. Dr. Bihova says to do this twice a day until you get the problem under control. Repeating it twice a week thereafter should keep odor from recurring.

Kosher salt. For extra-sweaty feet, Dr. Levine recommends soaking in a solution of 1/2 cup kosher salt (which is coarser than ordinary table salt) in 1 quart of water.

Aluminum acetate. Try soaking once or twice daily in a solution of cool water and aluminum acetate, which has drying properties, says Dr. Hass. To use, dissolve either 1 packet Domeboro powder or 2 tablespoons Burow's Solution (both available over-the-counter) in 1 pint of water, then soak for 10 to 20 minutes at a time.

Sodium bicarbonate. This makes the foot surface more acidic, thereby cutting down on the amount of odor produced, says Dr. Levine. Dissolve 1 tablespoon baking soda in 1 quart of water. Soak twice a week for about 15 minutes at a time.

Vinegar. Another acid footbath Dr. Levine recommends is 1/2 cup vinegar in 1 quart of water. Soak for 15 minutes twice a week.

Hot and cold water. Alternate hot and cold footbaths, says Dr. Levine. This procedure constricts the blood flow to your feet, reducing perspiration. Then fix yourself a third footbath of ice cubes and lemon juice. Finally, rub your feet with alcohol to cool and dry them. In hot weather, when your feet perspire a lot, you could probably do this every day. Warning: Diabetics and those with impaired circulation should not use this treatment.

Heed sage advice. Europeans sometimes sprinkle the fragrant herb sage into their shoes to control odor, says Dr. Levine. Perhaps a dash of these dry, crumbled leaves will do the trick for you.

(the above taken from: http://www.mothernature.com/library/bookshelf/books/47/64...)

1 mom found this helpful
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R.W.

answers from Tampa on

You can go into Walmart and buy a tube of the Foot Fungus cream and it is safe to use while breastfeeding. It works great and the fungus will be gone in two to three days. Clean your shower floors with Clorox when you are done using it. That will prevent others from getting the fungus. Keep your feet clean and dry and don't go barefoot around the house. Fungus is usually caused from others, or sweaty feet. If you were to go to a doctor all he would do is give you the cream and tell you to keep your feet clean and dry. Also to wear white socks..Not sure why but my Dad used to get the food fungus a lot and the doctor told him to only wear white socks and nothing else. Also don't wear nylons while you have the fungus. It will make it worse. Good Luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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V.G.

answers from Portland on

I know this sounds weird, but peeing on your foot (while in the shower) will help. Urine is a natural cure for foot fungus- although I'm not sure it works on ALL types of fungus.
Give it a try for a few days, see if it helps. If not, I'd try some of the other ways. Try to do it while your foot is still semi-dry and don't wash it off right away.
Good luck!

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