Medicine or Malarkey: Can Mouthwash Help Your Feet?

Say what? There are many things in our cabinets we use every day that can have numerous uses. But can mouthwash actually help your feet? Can you battle eczema with baking soda? Some of that sounds a little far-fetched, but the truth may surprise you.

Mouthwash isn’t only for freshening breath. Believe it or not, an alcohol-based mouthwash can prevent athlete’s foot! Simply soak a cotton ball with liquid and swab the bottom of your feet and between your toes. The high alcohol content will ward off fungal infections. 

What other household items might have added benefits and be handy in a pinch?

Antacids – you probably use them for heartburn, but did you know these little tablets can sooth insect bites through making a paste? Just crush the tablets, then add a pinch of oatmeal and a little water. The effervescent tablets contain aspirin that eases the sting, but this remedy doesn’t dehydrate the skin like calamine lotion has been known to do. 

Baking soda has all kinds of uses around the house and for your body! Keep your fridge fresh by opening a new box every three months, or use it to whiten your teeth. It can also calm irritated skin. Battling eczema, sunburn or poison ivy? Just dab some baking soda on the affected area. 

If you do wind up with athlete’s foot, skin irritations, or other health maladies that need more care than home remedies, CareSpot offers same-day service with extended hours to help get you treated quickly.