Natural Essential Oil Athlete's Foot Treatment

Treat Athlete's Foot Fungus and Tinea Pedis with Aromatherapy

Sep 13, 2009

Athete's foot is a common foot fungus and is fairly contagious. Antifungal essential oils are one of the most effective natural forms of athlete's foot treatment.

Athlete's foot is an annoyance that can affect swimmers, athletes, and anyone else. In fact, an estimate 70% of the population will contract this foot fungus at some point in their lives. But the fungal skin infection "tinea pedis," more commonly known as athlete's foot, is easy to treat with essential oils that have antifungal properties.

What is Athlete's Foot?

Athlete's foot, also known by its medical name tinea pedis, is caused by a fungal skin infection that is easily transmitted via locker room floors, swimming pools, and gym change rooms. The fungus thrives in wet, dark, warm environments like saunas and worn gym clothes, and is contagious although some people seem to have greater susceptibility to the fungal infection than others.

It is possible to be infected with tinea pedis and have no signs, but most people will show some or all of the following athlete's foot symptoms:

The foot fungus may occur between the toes, where good hygiene is more difficult, or it may be concentrated on the soles of the feet.

Natural Athlete's Foot Treatment with Aromatherapy

The first approach to athlete's foot treatment should be hygiene. Keeping the feet clean and well aerated with cotton socks (rather than non-breathing synthetics) and shoes that breathe well is paramount. The medical cure for athlete's foot involves antifungal pills or topical treatments, but there are natural alternatives that work just as well to kill foot fungus and restore health to the feet.

Essential oils are one of the best ways to treat any skin condition, because they are natural plant ingredients that are readily absorbed by the skin and are easy to apply directly to the source of the problem. Therapeutic grade aromatherapy oils carry oxygen, antifungal agents, and nutrients to heal and repair the skin. Essential oils have been used by doctors and healers around the world to treat all kinds of skin disorders, from burns to psoriasis, and they have proven to be more effective at killing certain fungi than industrial mold killers.

Choosing Essential Oils to Treat Athlete's Foot

Most essential oils have healing properties for the skin, but some oils are more effective antifungal agents than others. The best approach for athlete's foot treatment is usually to dilute therapeutic essential oils 50:50 with a base oil like extra virgin olive oil or jojoba, then apply this mixture directly on the foot fungus. (Safety note: Only therapeutic grade essential oils are safe to use on the skin. Please read The Real Quality of Essential Oils for more information.)

These oils can be combined with any base oil, including extra virgin olive oil, almond, jojoba, avocado seed, sesame seed, wheat germ, or grapeseed.

Reference

Essential Science Publishing (compiled by), Essential Oils Desk Reference, 2nd Edition. USA, Essential Science Publishing, 2001.

The copyright of the article Natural Essential Oil Athlete's Foot Treatment in Aromatherapy is owned by Victoria Anisman-Reiner. Permission to republish Natural Essential Oil Athlete's Foot Treatment in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.