Tea Tree Oil and Athlete's Foot

Tea tree oil and athlete's foot - Does this drug-free treatment really work? While there are many medicated lotions and sprays to treat this condition, researchers discover this natural oil may be an effective alternative.

What is Athlete's Foot?

Athlete's foot (tinea pedis) is a fungal infection of your feet cause by parasites on your skin called 'dermatophytes'. These nasty little fungi feed on the dead skin on your feet. They love warm, moist places...which makes some peoples' feet the ideal place for it to grow.

How Do You Get Athlete's Foot?

Most infections are spread by an infected person - usually in damp public areas. Common places are public showers, saunas and locker rooms.

This happened to me a couple of years ago. Finishing my daily workout at the gym I used the shower facilities. I didn't have any sandals so I walked through the damp shower area barefoot.

A few days later, I noticed my feet started feeling itchy, and the skin started peeling. I knew I had contracted a case of athlete's foot. It's best to wear sandals on your feet if you use a public shower/sauna. They help protect your bare feet from the wet floor and avoid getting infected.

Wearing tight fitting shoes and not drying your feet completely can encourage fungal growth. The fungus grows best in dark, moist places like between your toes.

Symptoms of Athlete's Foot:

Itching, peeling skin and redness are classic signs you're infected. Some infections are so bad the skin 'burns' and it can get really uncomfortable.

How Do You Treat Athlete's Foot:

Typical treatment is anti-fungal sprays, lotions, creams or powders using medications miconazole and clotrimazole. Side effects associated with these anti-fungal drugs include redness, stinging, blistering, peeling, swelling, itching, hives, or burning at the area of application.

I tried using an anti-fungal spray to treat my athlete's foot. I used it for about 2 weeks before I started experiencing more burning, peeling and redness.

Is there a more gentler, natural way to treat athlete's foot without the possible side effects associated with anti-fungal medications?

Introducing Tea Tree Oil - A Natural Cure for Athlete's Foot

Scientists know tea tree oil has anti-fungal properties. This means you can use this healthy oil to fight fungus.

But is it as effective as prescription medications?

Below is some research on tea tree oil and athlete's foot and my experience using this oil.

Researchers Prove Tea Tree Oil Fights Athlete's Foot

New South Wales, Australia - Researchers know that tea tree oil is effective against fungi in the lab...but would it work just as well in the real world?

They conducted a double blind study comparing the effectiveness and safety of 25% and 50% tea tree oil on athlete's foot fungus (tinea pedis).

One hundred and fifty eight (158) patients with tinea pedis were given either:

• 25% tea tree oil

• 50% tea tree oil

• placebo

Patients applied the solution to their feet twice a day for 4 weeks. They reviewed symptoms and appearance at 2 and 4 weeks.

At the end of the study, researchers discovered:

• 72% of people using 25% tea tree oil showed an improvement in sypmtoms.

• 68% of participant using 50% tea tree oil experienced an improvement in symptoms and there was a 64% cure rate.

• Only 39% of the placebo group showed any response and there was only a 31% cure rate.

Researchers have concluded that tea tree oil is an effective treatment for athlete's foot.

Here's more studies I found showing tea tree oil can fight fungal infections, such as athlete's foot:

• Antifungal activity of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil

• Antifungal activity of the essential oil Melaleuca alternifolia

Step-by-Step Guide to Using Tea Tree Oil on Athlete's Foot

1. Soak your feet in warm water to soften the skin.

2. Use a pumic stone to help scrape off any dry flaking skin. Apply gentle pressure and try not to break through the skin.

3. Rinse off feet and dry thoroughly.

4. Apply a few drops of pure organic tea tree oil on the soles of your feet, between your toes and other areas infected with athlete's foot.

5. Here's the important part: Don't wipe off the oil. Let it to soak into your skin and allow it to work it's antifungal magic on your feet. Let it 'air dry'. This will take about 5 - 10 minutes.

6. Apply the oil every day.

7. It may take some time before you notice any improvement.

Buying tea tree oil for athlete foot means looking for products made by reputable manufacturers.

For best results, use 100% tea tree oil that contains a high terpinen-4-ol content. This is the substance primarily responsible for this oil's potent anti-fungal properties.

Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Oil Antiseptic Liquid is an excellent tea tree oil for athletes foot.

Thursday Plantation has been making quality tea tree oils since 1976. Their oil has a low para-cymene content to minimize skin irritation. All oils are tested to ensure they're pesticide-free and they don't use animal testing.

Another great tea tree oil for acne is Country Life Tea Tree Oil. Country Life was one of the first companies to introduce tea tree oil to the United States. You'll get 100% pure Australian tea tree oil for maximum acne treatment.

Studies on tea tree oil and athletes foot show it's an effective anti-fungal treatment. If you're looking for a natural cure for athlete's foot without uncomfortable side effects, try using tea tree oil. It may be just the thing you need for clean healthy feet.

Research References: