5 Effective Home Remedies for Skin Fungus

(Last Updated On: September 23, 2022)

Do you know that there are millions of fungi on earth? You might find this fact troubling when you know that some fungi can cause deadly diseases. Fortunately for us, only about 300 can make you ill.

However, skin fungi infections are common, because the fungi live in the soil, on the trees/plants, and even on our skin. Yes, that’s right. Tiny microorganisms are living on your skin, as you read this article, and it’s completely normal.

Nevertheless, these tiny microorganisms can cause a lot of trouble and discomfort when their numbers grow. Usually, doctors prescribe topical antifungal medication. But that’s not your only option, because you can employ some tested home remedies for skin fungus that will take care of the problem as fast as prescribed lotions.

What’s more, they are easy to prepare, and you have most of the ingredients at home. So, if you’re interested in learning five home remedies for skin fungi, don’t hesitate to keep on reading.

We’ll start by explaining what the most common types of fungus are and what symptoms to look for if we suspect a fungus infection.

​What causes skin fungus?

Depending on the type of fungus, we have different skin infections:

Athlete’s foot

One of the most common skin conditions that could affect your feet is the Athlete’s foot, medically known as tinea pedis. It affects both athletes and non-athletes, and it can be caused by at least four different fungi, most often trichophyton rubrum.

Usually, what happens is that you get the fungus from an infected person or walking on contaminated surfaces. In the right conditions (warmth and moisture), the fungi grow out of control, so you’ll notice the symptoms.

The fungi can spread from the sole of the feet to the toenails and hands, especially if you touch the infected area and forget to wash your hands afterward. What I mean is that the condition is contagious, and you can get it by:

• ​Walking barefoot around lockers and public pools where other infected persons have been
• ​Sharing shoes, socks, and towels with an infected individual
• ​Tight-fitting shoes, which don’t allow the skin to breath
• Sweaty feet or keeping your feet wet for long

In most cases, the infection is not severe and can be handled with home remedies or over-the-counter lotions. However, a serious one might require pills.

Jock itch

Summer offers the perfect conditions for getting a jock itch – humidity and heat. The culprit behind this condition is called tinea cruris, the same type of fungi that causes an athlete’s foot. It attacks the skin around the genital area, tights, and buttocks. It commonly affects men, but women could also get it.

Just like Athlete’s foot, a jock itch is contagious, and you can infect another person if you share towels or clothes. Risk factors include:

• ​Tight underwear
• ​Obesity
• ​Weak immune system
• Diabetes
• Sweating too much

Again, the infection is not serious and can be treated safely at home. However, if your condition doesn’t improve, you might need medication.

Ringworm

Despite its name, ringworm is not a worm, but a fungus medically known as tinea corporis. You can get infected by close, skin-to-skin contact with another infected person or an animal or by touching contaminated objects or soil.

Yeast infections

When the fungi living on your skin multiply rapidly, they can cause infection. This condition is known as cutaneous candidiasis and might be caused by:

• ​Warm weather
• ​Poor personal hygiene
• ​Tight-fitting clothes
• ​Antibiotics
• Corticosteroids

These fungi thrive in moist places, which means that they are most common in the folds of the skin. The good news is that it’s not contagious, and it affects most commonly babies and overweight people.

​Symptoms of skin fungus

Since every one of these skin fungi infection presents with distinctive symptoms, we’re going to explain the signs of every one of these skin conditions:

Signs and symptoms of athlete’s foot:

• ​Burning, itching, and stinging sensation between the toes or on the feet
• ​Blisters and redness
• ​Cracking/peeling skin
• ​Scaling on the feet
• Discolored toenails or crumby, thick ones

---

Sign​s of jock itch:

• ​Rash – circular, raised with elevated edges
• ​Burning, chafing sensation in the groin area
• ​Skin that flakes, peels, or cracks
• ​Redness around the genitals or tights

---

Sympto​ms of ringworm:

• ​Red sore with raised edges
• ​The borders of the patch might be irregular and look like a snake
• ​The ring’s interior might be scaly, clear or filled with red bumps

---

Sings ​of a yeast infection:

• ​Rash
• ​Oozing patches
• ​Itching
• ​Burning
• Bumps that look like pimples

Home Remedies for Skin Fungus

The first thing you should do when you discover a rash or an inflamed spot on your skin is to make an appointment with your doctor. Many skin conditions can mimic fungi so you must know what you’re dealing with before you start using these fascinating home remedies for skin fungus.

1. Apple cider vinegar kills fungi

One of the most efficient and easy to use remedy for various skin conditions is apple cider vinegar. It has powerful antifungal properties, which will kill off the microorganisms and stop their growth.

If you’re wondering why is that, I can tell you that ACV contains acidic acid, which will restore the natural PH levels of your skin and get rid of the overgrowth of bacteria and fungi.

What’s more, apple cider vinegar contains pectin, which has many health benefits for your body, including promoting the growth of “good” bacteria.

Necessary ingredients:

1. Apple cider vinegar
2. A bowl
3. Water
4. Cotton balls

Process:

1. Mix equal amounts of apple cider vinegar and water into the bowl.
2. Soak a cotton ball into the diluted vinegar.
3. Apply it to the affected place.
4. Leave for 30 minutes.
5. Rinse with water.
6. Repeat.

Alternatively, if the rash is in an uncomfortable, hard-to-reach spot, you can soak it in a bath.

Necessary ingredients:

1. Apple cider vinegar
2. A warm bath
3. A cup

Process:

1. Measure 500 ml of apple cider vinegar (around two cups)
2. Add them to your bathwater.
3. Stir to dissolve the vinegar.
4. Soak into the bath for 15 minutes.
5. Get out.
6. Drain the water.
7. Have a shower to rinse your body with clean water.
8. Repeat until the rash disappears.

Notes: Apple cider vinegar might cause burning at the beginning. If you have sensitive skin, you should never use it undiluted. You can also add two tablespoons of vinegar to warm water and drink the solution daily.

---

2. Yogurt for germ-free skin

Yogurt is not only tasty but also beneficial for your health. I’m sure that you know that. But did you know that you can use yogurt to fight fungi infections? The anti-fungi properties of yogurt are due to the presence of “friendly bacteria” called Lactobacillus, which can be useful for treating vaginal yeast infections.

Necessary ingredients:

1. Yogurt
2. A bowl
3. Cotton balls
4. Warm water
5. A towel

Process:

1. Pour yogurt into the bowl.
2. Soak a cotton ball in it.
3. Apply to the affected area.
4. Wait 30 minutes.
5. Rinse with warm mater.
6. Pat the skin dry with a towel.
7. Repeat two times a day until the infection clears out.

You can also use yogurt for yeast infection :

Necessary ingredients:

1. Tampons
2. Yogurt
3. A bowl

Process:

1. Start by pouring some yogurt into the bowl.
2. Get a tampon.
3. Soak it into the yogurt.
4. Insert the tampon into the vaginal area.
5. Wait two hours.
6. Repeat.

Notes: When you go shopping for yogurt, you should choose one with no preservatives or added flavors. Look for “active culture” on the label.

---

3. Tea tree oil has potent anti-fungi properties

One of the most effective home remedies for skin fungi is tea tree oil. This essential oil has anti-fungus and antiseptic properties, which means that it will kill the microorganisms and keep the infection from spreading. What’s more, it’s perfect for getting rid of nail fungus.

However, tea tree oil is a strong substance and should be used carefully.

Necessary ingredients:

1. Tea tree oil
2. Olive oil
3. A bowl
4. Cotton balls
5. Water

Process:

1. Mix an equal amount of tea tree oil and olive oil into the bowl.
2. Get a cotton ball.
3. Soak it into the liquid.
4. Apply to the skin.
5. Wait 20 minutes.
6. Rinse with water.
7. Repeat daily.

Alternatively, you can mix tea tree oil and aloe vera, another plant, which has fantastic benefits for the skin.

Necessary ingredients:

1. Aloe vera
2. Tea tree oil
3. A bowl

Process:

1. Get some aloe vera gel or extract it from the leaves of the plant.
2. Mix the aloe vera and the tea tree oil in proportion 3:1 in the bowl.
3. Stir the ingredients well.
4. Apply the concoction to the affected spot.
5. Repeat twice a day until the problem resolves.

Notes: Under no circumstances, should you ingest tea tree oil because it’s toxic. In addition to this, even undiluted it can cause allergic reactions, so do a patch test first. Pregnant women also should avoid this home remedy for skin fungi.

---

4. Coconut oil for smooth skin

Another effective oil for treating a skin condition is coconut oil. It contains fatty acids – capric, caprylic, and lauric acid, which can be helpful against candida. What’s more, coconut oil is beneficial for the skin making it moist and keeping it free of bacteria. It’s also very useful against diaper rash.

Necessary ingredients:

1. Coconut oil
2. A bowl

Process:

1. Get some coconut oil.
2. Pour some into the bowl.
3. Rub some of it on the affected areas.
4. Wait for it to dry.
5. Repeat daily unit the rash is gone.

You can also use it to treat vaginal yeast. Here’s how:

Necessary ingredients:

1. Tampons
2. Coconut oil
3. Water
4. A bowl

Process:

1. Get a tampon.
2. Pour coconut oil into the bowl.
3. Soak the tampon.
4. Insert it into the vaginal area.
5. Wait two hours.
6. Remove it.
7. Rinse with water.
8. Repeat.

Notes: Make sure to buy extra-virgin oil, which doesn’t contain any chemicals. You can also combine it with cinnamon oil and apply it to the skin.

---

5. Hydrogen peroxide works quickly

If you are wondering how to get rid of fungi quickly, you can also try hydrogen peroxide. As you well know, hydrogen peroxide is an excellent choice for disinfecting wounds because it kills bacteria and fungi. So, if you have a rash all you have to do is go to your first aid kit.

Necessary ingredients:

1. Hydrogen peroxide
2. 1-gallon bottle
3. Water
4. A large bowl

Process:

1. Measure one cup of hydrogen peroxide.
2. Take the 1-gallon bottle and fill it with water.
3. Pour the cup of hydrogen peroxide and the bottle of water into the large basin.
4. Stir well.
5. Soak the affected areas in the solution for at least 20 minutes.
6. Repeat daily two or three times until the fungi disappear.

Notes: Do not use hydrogen peroxide on skin rashes undiluted because it might irritate your skin even more. If you feel too much burning or itching, you should stop the treatment. This remedy is extremely useful for toenail fungi.

---

How to prevent skin fungi?

Of course, you might employ some preventive measures to ensure that your skin remains free of fungi. Here are some useful tips:

• ​Wash your feet every day to keep them clean, especially between the toes
• ​Do not walk barefoot in public places.
• ​Choose cotton/woolen socks so that your feet don’t get too sweaty.
• You can apply powder to prevent excessive sweating on your body
• Make sure that the skin around the genitals is dry and clean.
• Change your underwear often if you sweat a lot.
• Avoid tight-fitting clothes.
• Don’t lend/borrow personal items.
• If you have an athlete’s foot – treat it immediately.
• Know the signs of ringworm in animals so that you can act timely.
• Get your pet to the vet if you notice any strange patches.
• Keep excellent hygiene.

Skin infections caused by fungi are not serious and would resolve quickly once you get the proper treatment. You can protect yourself best by following basic hygiene practices. However, if you don’t see any improvement after a week or two, you should stop and consult your doctor because you might need antibiotics.

What do you think about these amazing home remedies for skin fungus? Have you ever used them to treat rashes? Do you find them effective? Share your thoughts in the comments.