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 may be the best home remedy for athlete's foot.

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 make 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 home remedy for athlete's foot that won't cause the side effects associated with anti-fungal medications?

Researchers Discover Tea Tree Oil a Powerful Antifungal

Did you know you can use tea tree oil to fight fungal infections?

Here are a couple of studies proving specific ingredients in tea tree oil can be used effectively against some strains of fungi.

• Antifungal activity of Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil

• Antifungal activity of the essential oil Melaleuca alternifolia

The question is if you can use this oil as a home remedy for athlete's foot?

The following research on tea tree oil and athlete's foot will help you decide for yourself. You'll also find a special method to getting the best results when using tea tree oil as an antifungal.

Researchers Prove Tea Tree Oil Effective Against 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 athlete's foot used either 25%, 50% tea tree oil, or a placebo twice a day for 4 weeks

At the end of the study, researchers discovered:

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

• 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 concluded that tea tree oil is an effective antifungal for athlete's foot.

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 pumice 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 its 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.

Studies on tea tree oil and athlete's foot show it's an effective anti-fungal treatment. If you want to try this home remedy for athlete's foot, you should use only high potency tea tree oils. For best results, I recommend using a 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 is an excellent tea tree oil for athletes foot. Thursday Plantation has been making quality tea tree oils since 1976. Their oils have a low para-cymene content to minimize skin irritation, tested to ensure they're pesticide-free and they don't use animal testing. Another great tea tree oil for treating foot fungus is Plant Life 100% Tea Tree Oil.

You don't have to lose the fight against athlete's foot. Try using tea tree oil and see if this natural antimicrobial can also work for you.

Research References: