Asked by: Tereasa Lubke
style and fashion bath and shower

How long should you soak your feet in Epsom salt?

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Fill your bathtub or a basin with warm water until it's deep enough to cover your feet. Add 1/2 cup of Epsom salt to the warm water. Soak your feet for 30 to 60 minutes twice a week. For an aromatherapy boost, consider adding a few drops of diluted lavender, peppermint, or eucalyptus essential oil to your foot bath.


Herein, what are the benefits of soaking feet in Epsom salt?

Absorbing magnesium through the skin from an Epsom salt foot soak may provide the following benefits:

  • Decreasing symptoms of athlete's foot. According to the Epsom Salt Council, Epsom salt does not kill the fungus that causes athlete's foot.
  • Easing inflammation.
  • Exfoliating the skin.
  • Reducing odor.

Similarly, how long should I keep my foot in Epsom salt? Fill a basin or foot spa with enough warm water to cover the feet up to the ankles. Add half or three-quarters of a cup of Epsom salt to the water. Place the feet in the soak for about 20 to 30 minutes. Dry thoroughly after the soak and then moisturize the feet.

Also Know, can soaking in Epsom salts be dangerous?

Epsom salt is for external use only. The truth is that drinking Epsom salt causes some people to experience serious side effects such as severe diarrhea. Sudden and dramatic changes in bowel behavior can be very dangerous and cause dehydration and discomfort.

What is the best thing to soak your feet in?

Dr. Rowland recommends soaking your feet in a mixture of vinegar and water or Epsom salt and water. For a salt soak, dissolve half a cup of Epsom salt in a tub or large bowl of warm water and soak for about 10 to 20 minutes.

Related Question Answers

Elidio Scripcaru

Professional

Can you really detox through your feet?

An ionic foot detox is said to work by pulling the toxins out of your body through your feet. Take, for example, the popular foot detox bath IonCleanse. The ions in the foot bath water supposedly hold a charge that enables them bind to any heavy metals and toxins in your body, similar to how a magnet works.

Viñas Ottino

Professional

Is it OK to soak feet in Epsom salt everyday?

While it doesn't cure the infection, Epsom salt can be used to draw out the infection and soften the skin to help boost medication effects. Some infections, such as staph infection, worsen from hot water or salt mixes. For foot or toenail fungal infections, soak your feet twice a day for about 20 minutes.

Randee Dores

Professional

What does soaking your feet in apple cider vinegar do?

As vinegar has antifungal properties, soaking the feet daily in a vinegar foot bath could help fight off fungal infections, such as athlete's foot. However, a vinegar soak may soothe and ease symptoms and is unlikely to cause any harm. Medications are still the most effective form of treatment for athlete's foot.

Briam Sorg

Explainer

What does Epsom salt do when you soak your feet?

Epsom salt can also quell foot odor, help heal fungus or ingrown nails, and soothe dry skin. You'll find this healing salt at most drug stores and pharmacies. In a standard size tub, dissolve one cup of Epsom salt in warm water and soak your feet for 10 to 15 minutes.

Xulia Lehmann

Explainer

Should I soak my feet in hot or cold water?

Soak Away Foot Pain
For a refreshing and stimulating treat for sore feet, fill one basin with cold water and another with water as hot as you can comfortably stand. This “hydromassage” alternately dilates and constricts blood vessels in your feet, boosting circulation.

Younesse Bonfiglio

Explainer

Is Epsom salt good for swollen feet?

Soak in a cool Epsom salt bath for about 15 to 20 minutes
Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) may not only help with muscle pain. It may also reduce swelling and inflammation. The theory is that Epsom salt draws out toxins and increases relaxation.

Nouman Yousfi

Pundit

What does Epsom salt do for ingrown toenails?

Soak your toe in a warm foot bath with unscented Epsom salt.
Soaking your ingrown or infected toe will help relieve the pain and pressure of an infection. It can also help to draw out pus from your toe. Keep your feet dry, unless you're soaking them for treatment.

Rahal Noviski

Pundit

What does soaking your feet in cold water do?

Warm water (90 degrees to 100 degrees Fahrenheit) causes blood vessels to swell and increases circulation to muscles and joints. Cold water does just the opposite. It causes blood vessels to constricted and narrow, which reduces inflammation and relieves pain by numbing the affected muscles and tissues.

Wendy Ibarrekolanda

Pundit

Why can't diabetics use Epsom salt?

Foot damage is often caused by poor circulation and nerve damage. Both of these conditions can be caused by high blood sugar levels over time. Although some people soak their feet in Epsom salt baths, this home remedy isn't recommended for people with diabetes. Soaking your feet may raise your risk of foot problems.

Maxima Merhof

Pundit

Can you soak in Epsom salt too long?

Using too much Epsom Salt can cause serious, life-threatening side effects. Epsom Salt may be used orally (by mouth) or as a soak. Epsom Salt taken orally should produce a bowel movement within 30 minutes to 6 hours. Drink plenty of liquids while you are taking Epsom Salt.

Nikolett Sudha

Pundit

Do Epsom salt baths actually do anything?

Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) in your bath is cheap and harmless and it makes the water feel “silkier,” but it probably doesn't do anything else you hope it's doing. Contrary to popular belief, it probably has no significant benefits for most common kinds of aches and pains.

Latif Durchdewald

Teacher

Do Epsom salts affect blood pressure?

You can absorb magnesium from Epsom salts which may help to promote lower blood pressure by relaxing the blood vessels. Korean researchers report aromatherapy with scents like lavender may help to reduce daytime blood pressure, hypertension, and cortisol levels.

Caños Brandhoff

Teacher

Does soaking in Epsom salt help back pain?

Epsom salt reportedly reduces inflammation, thus relieving this painful side effect. Relaxes Muscles: Tense muscles can be caused by a variety of conditions and may even be due to stress. When muscles are tense, this tends to exacerbate back pain. Epsom salt baths can ease and relax muscle tension.

Cremencio Ronquilho

Teacher

Does Epsom salt help lose weight?

Taking Epsom salt baths will not cause drastic lose weight, but it can support your healthy lifestyle. Combined with other weight-loss strategies, Epsom salt baths might help you reach your weight-loss goals. Epsom salt baths might aid weight loss by: replacing emotional eating with a warm bath to relax and de-stress.

Adelmo Maneates

Teacher

Can I take an Epsom salt bath if I have high blood pressure?

How to do it. There really is no downside to taking a warm bath, although it's important to check with your doctor first if you have low blood pressure. This is because hot water can temporarily lower blood pressure. The Mayo Clinic recommends adults use 2 cups of Epsom salt per gallon of warm water.

Sebastiano Camacho

Reviewer

Is Epsom salt good for hair?

Epsom salt may be a good addition to your hair care routine. It may add volume to oily hair types, and definition to dry hair types. Its magnesium might also nourish and strengthen your hair and scalp. Epsom salt, or magnesium sulfate, is safe to use on your hair.

Mitica Ayet

Reviewer

Can a woman soak in Epsom salt?

Pregnant women can use Epsom salt while soaking in a tub. Epsom salt dissolves very easily in water. Many athletes use it in the bath to relieve sore muscles. They swear that it helps muscles recover after a hard workout.

Stefania Nobili

Reviewer

How does Epsom salt draw out toxins?

A salt detox isn't the same as pouring table salt into your bathtub. Salt detox baths are usually made of Epsom salt, which allows for minerals to "draw out" toxins from the body. Supporters may claim that soaking in an Epsom salt bath can remove harmful toxins and balance the body.

Gegham Viselov

Reviewer

What are the side effects of Epsom salt baths?

Magnesium Sulfate Side Effects
  • Signs of an allergic reaction (rash; hives; itching; breathing difficulties; chest tightness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue)
  • Dizziness, flushing, or faintness.
  • Irregular heartbeat.
  • Muscle paralysis or muscle weakness.
  • Severe drowsiness.
  • Sweating.