Can soaking feet in warm normal saline cure athlete's foot?
Feb 24, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Wenmin
Introduction
Athlete's foot usually refers to tinea pedis. In general, soaking feet in warm saline can help treat tinea pedis to some extent, but it cannot completely cure the infection. During treatment, it is important to keep the feet clean and dry, and to avoid wearing non-breathable shoes and socks in order to reduce the chance of fungal growth. Additionally, sharing shoes, slippers, or other footwear with others should be avoided to prevent cross-infection.
Athlete's foot usually refers to tinea pedis. In general, soaking feet in warm normal saline can treat tinea pedis to some extent, but it cannot completely cure it. Detailed explanations are as follows:
Tinea pedis is a skin disease caused by fungal infection, mainly characterized by symptoms such as erythema, scaling, and itching on the foot skin. At this time, soaking feet in warm normal saline can help clean the skin on the feet, reduce pathogens, and assist in maintaining foot hygiene. In addition, normal saline also has a certain bactericidal effect, which can inhibit pathogen growth, thereby helping to prevent foot skin infections to some extent. Although soaking feet in warm normal saline can help improve tinea pedis, it cannot replace formal drug treatment. Patients can use medications such as amorolfine hydrochloride cream, luliconazole cream, and itraconazole capsules under medical guidance.
During treatment, it is necessary to keep the feet clean and dry, avoid wearing non-breathable shoes and socks, to reduce opportunities for fungal growth. At the same time, sharing shoes, slippers, and other items with others should be avoided to prevent cross-infection.
