Vinegar foot soaks: what they can—and can’t—do
You may have seen claims that soaking your feet in vinegar once a week can treat fungus, arthritis, poor circulation, diabetes, nerve problems, or several other conditions. These claims are largely exaggerated.
What vinegar may actually do
Vinegar contains acetic acid, which has antimicrobial properties. A diluted soak may temporarily help with foot odor and may soften thick or rough skin. However, evidence that a vinegar foot bath reliably treats medical conditions is limited.
It does not cure:
-
Diabetes
-
Arthritis
-
Poor circulation or peripheral artery disease
-
Peripheral neuropathy
-
Varicose veins
-
Blood clots
-
Serious bacterial infections
For athlete’s foot, an appropriately formulated antifungal treatment is much more reliable than a vinegar soak.
If you want to try a soak
Use diluted vinegar, not undiluted vinegar, and keep the soak relatively brief. Stop if you experience burning, redness, cracking, or irritation. Don’t soak feet that have open wounds, ulcers, significant skin damage, or reduced sensation, particularly if you have diabetes.
Also, don’t use vinegar on broken skin in an attempt to disinfect it.
One important warning
If a foot becomes suddenly swollen, red, hot, very painful, pale/blue, or unusually cold, a foot soak isn’t appropriate. These symptoms can indicate a circulation problem, infection, or another condition requiring medical assessment.
So the safest takeaway is: a diluted vinegar soak may be a cosmetic/home-care measure for odor or rough skin, but it isn’t a treatment for nine different diseases.
