Recipes, Security, and Potential Perks

While you consider Listerine, the very first thing that doubtless involves thoughts is a mouthwash to assist cut back cavities and gingivitis. However this widespread family staple can also be changing into standard as a foot soak to assist deal with toenail fungus and athlete’s ft and take away useless pores and skin.

Though this dwelling treatment is garnering a variety of web consideration, we questioned if there was any proof that it really works. What we realized: Whereas there isn’t any present analysis on the therapy, elements present in Listerine (a specific model of mouthwash) are recognized to have antibacterial and antifungal properties which may be helpful for ft.

This text will clarify the potential advantages of a Listerine foot soak, unwanted effects to concentrate on, and attempt it at dwelling.

 What Is a Listerine Foot Soak?

A Listerine foot soak is, because the identify suggests, an at-home therapy that entails soaking ft in a shower made up of heat water, Listerine, and vinegar. Proponents of this remedy say that it has potential advantages in treating athlete’s foot (a fungal foot an infection generally unfold in locker rooms) and soothing dry, cracked, and scaly ft.  

How It Works

There is no such thing as a analysis or different scientific proof that soaking ft in Listerine or different mouthwashes can eradicate toenail and foot fungus.

Listerine does include 4 important oils which were proven to have antimicrobial and antifungal properties: thymol, menthol, eucalyptol, and methyl salicylate (a compound derived from wintergreen or candy birch bark). These elements could assist kill fungus that causes athlete’s foot, toenail fungus, and different foot infections.

Different potential methods Listerine could profit ft embrace:

• Cooling: Menthol has recognized cooling results.
• Exfoliating: Important oils might help to melt pores and skin and should assist slough off dry, useless, or flaking pores and skin cells.
• Ease aches and pains: Menthol and methyl salicylate have pain-relieving properties, which is why they’re additionally widespread elements in icy-hot ache patches.
• Scale back irritation: Thymol and different important oils have anti-inflammatory results which will assist soothe pores and skin irritation, itching, and redness.

What’s extra, merely soaking your ft in heat water has advantages in and of itself: As anybody who has ever gotten a pedicure is aware of, having fun with a heat footbath will be stress-free and soothing to the pores and skin.

The apply additionally has study-proven advantages: A number of research have discovered that soaking ft and decrease legs in heat water for 20 to 60 minutes earlier than mattress considerably improves sleep high quality. Different research recommend a footbath might help enhance circulation to the decrease extremities.

Potential Facet Results

It is essential to make use of some warning when attempting a Listerine foot soak. Listerine could irritate delicate pores and skin and trigger stinging or burning if in case you have open wounds.

A Listerine foot soak must also be averted if in case you have the next circumstances:

• Blisters on the ft
• Open sores, cuts, or cracked pores and skin on the ft
• Allergic reactions to menthol, thymol, methyl salicylate, or eucalyptus
• Contact dermatitis, psoriasis, or different inflammatory pores and skin circumstances
• Indicators of an infection
• Bleeding from the ft

In the event you discover something uncommon in your ft or have a foot fungus that has gone untreated for a very long time, make an appointment along with your healthcare supplier. They can provide you a analysis and advise on correct therapy.

Listerine Foot Soak DIY Recipes

If you wish to attempt a Listerine foot soak at dwelling, you may want a big bucket or tub that’s giant sufficient to suit each of your ft. Then you definitely’ll fill the basin with a Listerine combination. Proponents of the therapy advocate soaking ft for 45 to 60 minutes. Then, repeat day by day or as typically as potential till the fungus clears up.

Quick on time? You will nonetheless get some advantages from a shorter 20 to half-hour soak. You too can use a cotton ball to use Listerine on to a fungus-infected toenail to assist deal with the an infection.

Three do-it-yourself (DIY) foot soak recipes to attempt:

• Combine an equal measurement of heat water and Listerine to cowl your ft; stir in 1 cup of Epsom salt.
• Combine 1 cup of Listerine and some drops of lemon juice into 1 gallon of heat water.
• Combine 1 gallon of heat water, ½ cup of Listerine, and ½ cup of white or apple cider vinegar.

For an additional stress-free scent, you may also add a number of drops of lavender oil or different aromatic important oils.

Earlier than attempting any DIY therapy on the pores and skin, particularly if in case you have a pores and skin situation or open wounds, contact your healthcare supplier to ensure the elements are protected so that you can use.

Abstract

Listerine foot soaks have turn out to be standard across the web as a potential therapy for athlete’s foot and different fungal infections of the ft. Whereas there isn’t any analysis to confirm the advantages of this apply, Listerine does include 4 antimicrobial important oils which may be efficient at killing fungi.

A Phrase From Verywell 

Soaking your ft in Listerine could sound a bit funky. Nonetheless, if this apply intrigues you, there is not any actual hurt to attempting it, so long as you have no different pores and skin circumstances, and it could even have some advantages, like cooling you off, easing aches and pains, or serving to you sleep.

That mentioned, utilizing an over-the-counter antifungal cream or different medical therapy continues to be the quickest, simpler method to clear up athlete’s foot and toenail fungus.