Have You Ever Done This to Your Feet?

One summer, during a two-week military training, my husband applied an over-the-counter powder on the sweaty feet he got from wearing military boots 24/7. When he came home, he was so proud that he had found a way to resolve his sweaty feet. At the time, I had just started studying Homeopathy and was not happy about what he had done. I said, “Let’s just wait and see what effect suppressing the sweat will have later”.  A few months later, he started having large white flakes on his scalp; it looked like paint peeling off his head. I told him, “This is from that powder you put on your sweaty feet over the summer.” In order to address the large flakes, he had to take a Homeopathic Remedy to address the scalp symptoms and “walk the symptoms back down” to the sweaty feet that had gotten suppressed. From there, he had to take another Homeopathic Remedy to finally address the sweaty feet.

I selected the Homeopathic Remedy Lycopodium 30c for my husband’s scalp symptoms to be taken every night at bedtime. Lycopodium is selected for flaky skin or scalp. Within a couple of days, his flaky scalp started to flake less often. By the 2^nd week, his scalp hardly had any flakes on it. My husband said that he had been noticing his feet were starting to sweat when he took his shoes off after work. I told him that was a good sign. The fact that your feet are now starting to sweat and your scalp is almost cleared up means the suppressed foot sweat from the powder you applied to your feet is lifting. I had him continue taking the Lycopodium 30c every night, until he no longer had a flaky scalp.

Silicea for Suppressed Foot Sweat

Once my husband’s scalp cleared up, his feet became sweatier and itchier. A couple of his toes started to crack open. Lycopodium was stopped, and the Homeopathic Remedy Silicea 30c was selected, to be taken at bedtime for the itchy, sweaty feet. Silicea is one of the Homeopathic Remedies used for suppressed foot sweat (such as using foot powder).

The Athlete’s Foot/ Jock Itch Connection

My husband’s suppressed foot sweat went to his scalp. Applying the over-the-counter or prescription medications to stop feet from sweating commonly moves to the groin and genital area as Jock Itch. The product clears up the skin condition as long as one continues using the product. All along, the itchy and sweaty feet are gone, but what is really happening is that the skin symptoms are being suppressed and are driving them down deeper into the body, which affects the liver and, in some cases, the lungs, which can cause asthma or other lung conditions. This goes for all kinds of topical products that are placed on the body for conditions such as Athlete’s feet, jock itch, dandruff, etc.

What is Athlete’s Foot?

Athlete’s Foot, also known as Tinea Pedis, is a fungal skin infection that usually begins between the toes and can also occur on the bottoms of the feet. It occurs when the feet become very sweaty in tight fitting shoes or boots. The fungal (called dermatophytes) that normally lives on the skin, hair, and nails grow from the warm moist feet and causes the fungal infection. Athlete’s Foot is contagious and can spread from contaminated floors, towels, or clothing.

Athlete’s Foot Symptoms

• Dry, scaly, peeling, or cracked skin between the toes and on the feet
• Itchiness, burning, and stinging, especially soon after taking off shoes and socks
• Inflamed skin that may appear reddish, purplish, or grayish
• Blisters on the feet
• Raw skin on the feet

Athlete’s Foot with Honey-like Oozing

My client consulted with me about his Athlete’s Foot symptoms that he has had for a couple of years. He went on to tell me that he has sticky stuff between his 2 toes on his right foot and between 2 toes on his left foot. I asked him if the sticky stuff was thick, hard, scab-like, or gooey with crusts. He stated it was sticky and gooey like honey. My client also said between the toes is very itchy, but scratching makes the symptoms worse. I selected the Homeopathic Remedy Graphites 6c for him, to be taken daily at bedtime with 10 succussions. If his Athlete’s Foot symptoms had started within the past year (new symptoms/acute), then I would have selected Graphites in a 30c. Since he’s had the symptoms for a couple of years (chronic symptoms), I had him take 6c potency.

Two weeks later, my client informed me that his feet were not as itchy, and it looks like they may be oozing a little less. I advised my client to continue taking the Graphites until the Athlete’s Foot clears up, or the symptoms change. He will also be on the Graphites for a few months because he has had Athlete’s Foot for a couple of years, which is why I selected a 6c potency. If my client had said he had thick, hard, honey-colored scabs (from hardened discharge), I would have selected the homeopathic remedy Antimonium Crudum 6c. Over the next couple of months, we made adjustments to the Graphites when the Athlete’s Foot symptoms were not improving.

Petroleum Used for His Athlete’s Foot

My client called, stating that he no longer has sticky oozing between his toes. Now, he has cracking between the toes. He stated this is what his Athlete’s Foot symptoms looked like in the beginning of his malady. I told my client we have to stop the Graphites, because the symptoms changed and no longer matched the characteristics of the remedy he is currently taking. He would have to take a Homeopathic Remedy that fits the new symptoms. In this case, he needs the Homeopathic Remedy Petroleum 6c, to be taken every night with 10 succussions. The good news is that the symptoms my client was exhibiting are the original symptoms he experienced when he first had the Athlete’s Foot. This is a good sign, since he is now back to his original symptoms. If my client had said that he also had needle or splinter-like pain with the cracked, bleeding skin, I would have selected the Homeopathic Remedy Nitricum Acidum 6c.

Homeopathic Remedies for Athlete’s Foot

A Homeopathic Remedy will be selected according to the symptoms you are exhibiting at the present time. You will take the selected Homeopathic Remedy in a 6c potency when you have had the Athlete’s Foot for a year or longer, and a 30c potency when it has been less than a year.

Antimonium Crudum – Selected for someone that has Athlete’s Foot and a thickly coated white tongue. A key symptom for using Antimonium Crudum is skin symptoms with digestive symptoms. The feet and between the toes have thick, hard, honey-colored scabs. The skin symptoms are: itching, worse from the warmth of the bed and heat, cold washing, and from being scratched.

Baryta Carbonica – Selected for Athlete’s Foot with a cold, foul foot sweat. The feet and toes have an intolerable itching sensation like pricks of burning needles or a crawling that can wake you up at night, especially on the left foot.

Graphites – Selected for Athlete’s Foot that alternates between digestive and skin symptoms, along with a burning foot sweat. When the feet are cold and wet, the skin breaks open easily and oozes a sticky honey-like discharge that can develop in to crusts. The feet and toes are worse from scratching and from the warmth of the bed. 

Lycopodium – Selected for athlete’s foot that has dry, scaly or flaky skin on the feet. The Athlete’s Foot started on right foot and at some point, the left foot starts to have symptoms, too.

Nitricum Acidum – Selected forAthlete’s foot with offensive foot sweat that causes soreness of the toes with a sticking needle or splinter-like pain when touched. The dry skin erodes and cracks in every angle of the eruptions, or ulcerates and bleeds. The feet and toes violently itch, especially when taking off the socks.

Petroleum – Selected for athlete’s foot with skin that is dry, cracks open, and bleeds, especially in the winter. Skin becomes hard and festers, or won’t heal in the folds of the skin on the pads of feet and between the toes. You may have thick greenish crusts, burning, itching, and redness. 

Sanicula Aqua – Selected for Athlete’s Foot that has foul foot sweat that chafes the toes and destroys the shoes or stiffens the socks. The skin oozes a sticky fluid between the toes that is worse from bathing, itching and scratching. Sanicula is chosen for sweaty and smelly feet, particularly in children.

Silicea – Selected for Athlete’s Foot that develops from suppressing (stopping) foot sweat. The feet have a pungent, penetrating, sour dead animal-like odor, with or without sweat. The feet are icy cold and sweaty. The feet and toes can have ulcers that are painfully sensitive, foul, and spongy, and feel better with heat. The feet and toes itch intensely during the daytime and evening.

Jock Itch is Better with Homeopathic Poison Ivy Remedy

My client reached out to me about the intense itching he has in his genital area (Jock Itch) when he sweats. He described the skin symptoms as having a reddish area that sometimes looks like little blisters (vesicles), the area is very itchy, and feels good when he scratches it, but the skin is worse after scratching. He has found that applying very hot water on the area, even though it burns the skin, soothes the need to itch. He stated that cold water causes him to scratch more. I selected the Homeopathic Remedy Rhus Toxicodendron 30c, to be taken daily with 10 succussions (taps). A week later, my client called to tell me that the itching has decreased by 20%. I advised him to continue taking the Rhus Toxicodendron daily, until he no longer has the symptoms. If his symptoms change, then we would need to select a different Homeopathic Remedy. The following week, my client called, stating that his itching and redness were 30-40% better. However, he’s been itching more in the last couple of days. I had him increase the succussions of the Rhus Toxicodendron to 12 times each time he took it. A week later, he said that just tapping the Rhus Toxicodendron Remedy Solution Bottle (RSB) 2 more times made a huge difference in his symptoms. The itching is 50% better, he has hardly any blisters, and the redness has greatly improved.

Sulphur for Jock Itch

When I was taking my client’s case history, if he had told me that his itching was worse from heat and bathing (water), I would have selected the Homeopathic Remedy Sulphur 30c. Both Rhus Toxicodendron and Sulphur are used for the same skin symptoms, itching with sweating that burns from scratching. Where the skin is reddish and can have blisters (vesicles). The difference between the 2 is what makes the itching feel better or worse. Rhus Toxicodendron’s itching is soothed with hot water, whereas the Sulphur’s itching is worse from heat and water. Knowing what symptom(s) feel better or worse from is how you would select one Homeopathic Remedy versus another.

What is Jock Itch?

Jock Itch, also called Tinea Cruris, is a fungal infection that causes a red and itchy rash in warm and moist areas of the body (i.e., the groin, buttocks, thighs, and genitals). The fungal infection develops in damp, closed in environments, usually from becoming over heated and sweaty from damp clothing, especially tight-fitting. It is called “Jock Itch” because athletes commonly get it. However, you do not have to be an athlete to have Jock Itch, anyone (including females) who sweats a lot, wears tight-fighting clothing, or even is overweight can get Jock Itch. A fungal rash on the armpits and underneath the breasts is also considered to be classified as Jock Itch. In these areas, Jock Itch can also be mis-identified as Prickly Heat (Heat Rash). Jock itch is contagious as it can spread from person to person or from sharing contaminated towels or clothing. Applying antifungal medications (over-the-counter or prescription) or any other product to reduce or take the symptoms away on the affected skin suppresses the jock itch. How do we know this? When you stop applying the topical in a matter of time, the jock itch symptoms return. Those that have Jock Itch most likely have Athlete’s Foot, too.

Jock Itch Symptoms

Jock itch is often misdiagnosed as ringworm.

• Skin is red in the genital area, especially in the crease of the groin
• The skin is flaky or scaly and/or cracks open
• The area may burn or feel itchy
• The genital area may have a musty, foul-smelling, or sour odor

Homeopathic Remedies for Jock Itch

Select a Homeopathic Remedy according to the symptoms you are exhibiting at the time. You will take the selected Homeopathic Remedy in a 6c potency when you have had the Jock Itch for a year or longer, and a 30c potency when it has been less than a year.

Carboneum Sulphuratum – Selected for Jock Itch wherethe skin in the genital area and groin has itching, burning ulcers that have an opaque yellowish fluid that forms thick yellowish scabs. Sometimes the discharge excoriates and produces violent itching. It can have vesicles that are red, inflamed, and swollen at the base.

Causticum – Selected for Jock Itch with sores in the folds of skin between thighs.

Croton Tiglium – Selected forJock Itch with vesicular eruptions on the penis and scrotum that is worse from washing. Violent itching with burning (corrosive) red skin that is worse from scratching. There is a voluptuous itching that is worse upon awakening.

Graphites – Selected for Jock Itch in the groin and inner thighs with skin that cracks open, burns, and oozes a sticky honey-like discharge. The skin feels worse from heat and the warmth of the bed, and there is rawness in the bends of the groin.

Natrum Muriaticum – Selected for Jock Itch where the genital area is red, raw, inflamed, and itches. The skin feels better in the open air and cool bathing and worse from heat.

Nitricum Acid – Selected for Jock Itch that has ulcers that burn, sting and ooze with an offensive foul-smelling discharge. The skin has a needle-like pain with touch. The symptoms are worse from cold air, dampness, hot weather, and the heat of the bed.

Petroleum – Selected for Jock Itch where the genitals are sweaty and itchy, with deep cracks in the skin that can bleed, especially from scratching; this is a key symptom for using Petroleum. The symptoms are worse from warm air and better in cold weather. The symptoms commonly affect the right side of the genitals.

Rhus Toxicodendron – Selected for Jock Itch with intense itching of the genital area with sweating. There are vesicle eruptions on the genitals, between the scrotum and thighs, that feel better when applying heat and when taking a hot bath. The skin symptoms are worse from cold and damp weather. The Jock Itch burns after scratching, even though the scratching feels good.

Silicea – Selected for having Jock Itch from suppressing foot sweat (Athlete’s Foot) with a topical treatment (such as a powder). The genital area is Itchy and has moist spots on the skin that are worse from scratching and applying cold water, and better with warm air. The genital area has excessive, foul-smelling sweat along with the skin symptoms.

Sepia Succus – Selected for Jock Itch where the genital area has an offensive sweat that itches. The skin has blotches of raw, rough, hard, or cracked skin, worse in the flexors. There is a desire from mild to very intense to scratch, which does not improve the itchiness. The skin symptoms are worse after sweating and touch, and better from heat.  

Sulphur – Selected for Jock Itch with sweat on the genitals causing excessive itching and burning. The itching is worse in bed from the heat of the bed. The skin symptoms are worse from bathing (water) and heat. Sulphur symptoms come from previously suppressing the Jock Itch symptoms with topicals (i.e., powders and ointments).

Thuja – Selected for Jock Itch with an offensive smell of the genital area from sweating, described as sweet. The skin eruptions itch or burn violently as the skin is sensitive to touch. Thuja symptoms are worse from taking a cold bath or dampness.

Urtica Urens – Selected for Jock Itch where the symptoms in the genital area are itching and stinging with red raised blotches, which can keep one awake at night. The scrotum can be swollen. The skin symptoms are worse from cool bathing.

How to Prevent or Help Heal Your Athlete’s Foot and Jock Itch

• Bathe daily
• Dry your body thoroughly, especially your feet, between the toes, the groin, under the breasts, and armpits after bathing, and when you are sweaty.
• Don’t wear tight fitting shoes or clothing
• Don’t wear shoes in the house. When the floor is cold, wear open-toed sandals in the house to allow your feet to air out.
• Change your clothing daily, including your socks and when your feet become damp.
• Alternate your shoes each day
• Wear shoes or sandals when in public places
• Do not apply powders or ointments on feet to stop sweating, it can lead to Athlete’s Foot and/or Jock Itch from suppressing the foot sweat.

When taking a Homeopathic Remedy for either Athlete’s Foot or Jock Itch, don’t look for the symptoms to go away within a week or so, especially when you have had the symptoms for a while (chronically). Look for your symptoms to gradually improve, making adjustments with the dosage of the selected Homeopathic Remedy, to continue with the healing process. The skin characteristics may even change over time, returning to the original skin symptoms you had when you first got the Athlete’s Foot or Jock Itch. As the characteristics of your skin symptoms change, you will need to select a different Homeopathic Remedy.