Athlete’s foot also known as tinea pedis in medical terms. This is a condition of very common skin infections where feet are affected by fungus. This fungus may affect any part of the feet but in most of the cases, it affects only toe area and bottom area of the feet. The same fungus may or may not affect the nails and hands, so it must be given proper care and medication and condition must be treated as soon as possible.
Symptoms & Causes of Athlete’s Foot
There are as such no types of athlete’s foot, but depending on stage or body part it can be mild athlete’s foot and athlete’s foot on hands. In case of mild athlete’s foot is the initial stage of an athlete’s foot which is a small rash and normal level itching. When a person touches his hands immediately after touching the infected portion will suffer from athlete’s foot on hands.
Symptoms
Common symptoms of athlete’s foot are:–
- Rash
- Itching
- Burning of skin
- Blisters or ulcer on the skin
Causes
Following are the reasons for Athlete’s Foot:-
- The growth of tinea fungus on foot
- Sharing clothes or towels with an infected person
- Not washing hands after touching the infected area
[Also Read: Natural Remedies For Athlete’s Foot ]
Essential Oils For Athlete’s Foot
Essential oils offer ample health benefits with their natural properties. One of the most beneficial aspects of their disciplined usage to treat athlete’s foot, all the causes of infections can be helped and treated with the use of some essential oils.
With their battle with your immune system and another fungus, it is perfectly normal for you as a healthy human to get Athlete’s foot. Even after trying a lot of medication, sometimes it is just not possible to solve the situation. Medications do show results, but they vanish after the effect of medication has subsided. This is where you need to understand the benefits of using essential oils for Athlete’s foot.
Following are the best essential oils for athlete’s foot which have sufficient benefits to answer the question that many people face “How to get rid of athlete’s foot”.
1. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is known for its antifungal and antibacterial properties(1).
Why To Use?
It helps to reduce or stop the fungal infection in case of athlete’s foot by killing the fungus. If used with any carrier oil like coconut oil or olive oil it can be an antifungal treatment.
How To Use?
One can make foot soak by adding 10 ml of tea tree essential oil and 3 ml of olive oil in one liter of water. Soak infected foot for 20-30 minutes. Another way is by mixing tea tree oil with carrier oils like coconut oil or olive oil and then rub it on the infected area.
[Read: Amazing Benefits of Tea Tree Oil ]
2. Lavender Oil
Since ancient times lavender oil is being used for skin treatments.
Why To Use?
Along with keeping skin healthy, it has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and regenerative properties. As athlete’s foot causes burning of skin, it works like a regenerator.
How To Use?
It is applied directly on the infected area. Also, take 2-3 drops of lavender oil mix it with any lotion or carrier oil and use this mixture on infection. It is better if you massage with this mixture and wear socks for 5-10 minutes so that oil will go deep in infection.
[Read More: Lavender Oil Benefits]
3. Oregano Oil
Oregano oil also offers a practical solution for athlete’s foot.
Why To Use?
Oregano oil is an excellent insect repellent. Oregano oil is applied on skin, for conditioning of the skin in case of athlete’s foot. Thus, oregano oil helps in faster recovery in case of athlete’s foot by killing the fungus.
How To Use?
Take 2-3 drops of oregano oil. Apply if on infected portion spread it thoroughly. Keep it and wear socks on it. Continue this twice a day till your foot is healed.
4. Thieves Oil
Thieves oil has various uses like it supports healthy immune function, washing bacteria, fungus on the skin.
Why To Use?
Thus, thieves oil consumption will improve immunity, and its application to the infected area will help to keep the area clean. It is one of the good athlete’s foot medications.
How To Use?
Thieves oil is also used as a potent agent in mixture with carrier oils. Take thieves oil 3-4 drops on cotton. Apply it directly on the wound so that it will go deep for better recovery.
[Read: Benefits of Thieves Oil ]
5. Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil is well known for its cooling properties.
Why To Use?
Peppermint oil contains menthol which can help provide relief to inflammation caused in the infected area. Itching or burning can be in case of athlete’s foot on hands and athlete’s foot controlled by peppermint oil.
How To Use?
Peppermint oil contains menthol. Nix a teaspoon of peppermint oil with half cup rolled oats and ¼ cup of sea salt. Massage into the feet twice a day. This will help to heal your foot.
[Read: Benefits of Peppermint Oil ]
6. Lemon Essential Oil
Lemon essential oil will boost blood circulation and promote better mental relaxation.
Why To Use?
Lemon oil can fight against fungal infections. Hence it can be an excellent natural antifungal therapy.
How To Use?
Mix 10 drops of lemon oil, ten drops of olive oil and a liter of warm water. Mix all the elements well in water. Soak your foot for thirty minutes in this mixture.
7. Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus oil is known as a potent antibacterial and can help to hydrate and replenish the infected skin(2).
Why To Use?
By applying it on athlete’s foot, it will stop fungal action and help faster recovery.
How To Use?
To use eucalyptus oil mix one teaspoon of eucalyptus oil with two cups of water. Mix them well. Add this mixture in spray bottle. Spray this mixture on foot and also spray this mixture on your shoes to help keep them sanitary.
[Read More: Eucalyptus Oil Benefits]
Risks And Precautions
Since essential oils are semi-liquids or they are mixed in liquids and applied as a remedy. In case of such fungal infections care should be taken that the infected portion should be dried otherwise instead of reducing, the essential oils for athlete’s foot can be a reason for an increase in infection.
The amount in the mixture should be as suggested less will show less effect or more will have an adverse impact like the excess burning of skin, itching. In some cases, like diabetes such wounds take time to heal hence extreme care should be taken while using essential oils. Also, avoid sharing clothes with an infected person.
[Also Read: Essential Oils for Sunburn]
Other oils for Athlete’s foot
Following are some other oils that you can also use for relief from athlete’s foot.
1. Almond Oil
Almond oil is known to improve skin complexion and skin tone. It also helps to moisturize your skin and is excellent massage oil.
Why To Use?
In athlete’s foot, skin causes redness or itching, and sometimes the skin gets removed. Thus, almond oil will moisturize your skin, and it also has anti-fungal properties to remove ringworm and other such fungi.
How To Use?
Make a mixture of 1 teaspoon of almond oil, one drop tea tree oil, one drop of myrrh oil, one drop lavender essential oil. Mix these oils well. Massage your foot 3 times a day with this mixture.
2. Neem Oil
Neem oil has excellent antifungal properties which make it an ideal option for many skin related problems.
Why To Use?
Neem oil for athlete’s foot and neem leaf extracts has antifungal capabilities which will help to cure athlete’s foot. These antifungal capabilities of neem oil attack directly on fungus and stop its growth by killing it.
How To Use?
Apply -2 drops of neem oil(3) in the morning and night. Rub oil into the infected area, including surrounding areas of foot and allow it to soak. If the infection is not mild, you can apply thrice in a day.
[Read: Benefits of Neem Oil ]
3. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil offers extensive health benefits for the body’s overall health; one of the significant benefits is to provide a cure for athlete’s foot.
Why To Use?
It contains lauric acid and caprylic acid in coconut oil stops the growth of fungal cells by killing them. Hence it used as antifungal treatments in case of athlete’s foot on hands or mild athlete’s foot.
How To Use?
One must mix it with anti-fungal essential oil like lemon, rosemary, peppermint and massage on infected portion. Rub infected part twice or thrice a day with coconut oil and dry it with cotton.
[Also Read: Coconut Oil Benefits for Athlete’s Foot]
Other Home Remedies For Athlete’s Foot
Natural remedies will help to give temporary medication for athlete’s foot. There are various antifungal available but along with that essential oil will provide natural yet faster recovery.
Some home remedies are:-
Tea tree oil mixed with a carrier oil
Take a few drops of tea tree oil and mix it with a carrier oil, like coconut oil or olive oil. Mix them well. Apply this mixture on athlete’s foot or athlete’s blister and rub on infected portion. Make sure mixture reaches neatly in infected portion.
Garlic
Garlic has antifungal properties, and it also has natural water contained in it. It is essential to dry your feet well in case of infection get in touch with liquid. Crush four to five cloves of garlic first. Smash the cut garlic. Once smashed, rub this smashed garlic on infected portion. Do this at least twice a day.
Sea salt
Sea salt application requires water which may motivate to increase the fungal infection. Hence once sea salt is used in combination with any liquid, dry your feet thoroughly. The treatments involve sea salt with vinegar and make sort of paste. Apply it on infection.
Bottom Line
Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection caused due to unhygienic habits or less cleanliness. It has symptoms like itching, rash initially, and if not treated it can be a severe skin infection which is termed as athlete’s foot on hand and athlete’s blister. It should be managed from the initial stage. Also, hygiene should be maintained.
Essential oils for athlete’s foot help faster yet natural recovery, and it soothes skin by cooling it when there is a burning or itching sensation.
FAQ’s
1. If Ignored, Will Athlete’s Foot Get Cured on Its Own?
Response: No. if ignored athlete’s foot will become more and more dangerous. Initially when rash, itching is seen on skin one should start treating it. If not treated, the rash can turn into athlete’s blisters or athlete’s foot on hand. It will be difficult for diabetes patients to recover from such infections.
2. Is It Okay to Continue Exercising When Diagnosed With Infection?
Response: Yes. Depending on the stage of an athlete’s foot care should be taken but exercising cannot have any adverse effect on infection. But one should avoid swimming or any such exercise that will get him in touch with liquid. Liquid promotes the growth of infection. Also, maintain cleanliness.
