Best 4 Essential Oils for Athlete’s Foot
Statistics show that at least 70% of all adults will suffer from a fungal foot infection at some point in their lives. The most common culprit- athlete’s foot.
Athlete’s foot is one of those health problems that are largely benign but always pose the risk of a bigger problem. For example, while it is largely inconsequential (at least as far as your overall health goes), it can spread to other areas of the body.
It typically starts from the feet but may spread to the palms and even groin area. Everywhere it goes it causes itching, blistering, scaly skin, pain, and many other undesirable effects. Plus it is just annoying!
So while it may be a relatively minor medical issue, it does deserve some attention.
One of the best ways of treating it is using essential oils. This purely natural method of treatment doesn’t just cure athlete’s foot, it also prevents chances of recurrence.
What is Athlete’s Foot?
This is a fungal infection which, as the name suggests, mainly happens in the feet between the toes. But did you know that athlete’s foot can also occur in other body parts including underarms, soles and even in the groin!
If you find yourself visiting areas with ideal fungal breeding conditions ( moist or damp places), you may want to pay extra attention.
A typical athlete’s foot infection takes place when you enter an area like a shower or a bathroom barefoot. This offers the perfect opportunity for the fungi, if present, to get into your body.
Risk Factors
Almost anyone can get athlete’s foot but exposing yourself to certain factors increases your chances of getting the condition. These include:
- Sharing towels, shoes, socks with an infected individual
- Visiting damp places barefoot
- Having sweaty feet
- Wearing close-toe or tight-fitting shoes
- Keeping the feet wet for extended periods
- Having nail or skin injuries
Symptoms of Athlete’s Foot
It’s always advisable that you identify Athlete’s foot symptoms as early as possible and apply the necessary essential oils just as fast. This helps you to prevent the condition from becoming even more painful. It will also be easier to avoid stinky toes if start treating it in its early stages. Watch out for the following signs:
- Stinging, burning, and itchiness on the sole or between toes
- Itchy blisters on the feet
- Peeling skin
- Dry skin on the sides of the feet or the sole
- Skin turning red
Essential Oils for Athlete’s Foot
Essential oils are far better than most of those over-the-counter creams and medications you might be more used to. They have proven antifungal properties that can help you treat the condition and stay safe from any future infections of the same kind.
1. Tea Tree Oil
A study done in 2002 tried to establish the effectiveness of using different concentrations of tea tree when dealing with Athlete’s foot. One of the solutions contained 25% tea tree oil while the other used 50%. The results showed that in both cases the oil had delivered significant impact proving its efficacy in treating this condition. The good results were attributed to the oil’s antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Application: Mix tea tree with olive oil and warm water and then soak your feet for around thirty minutes. You can also mix it with a carrier oil and rub it on the affected area. This method is ideal in cases where the symptoms are witnessed in other parts of the body.
2. Peppermint Oil 
Peppermint has, on more than one occasion, demonstrated exemplary antifungal properties and is even considered more powerful than tea tree oil. One study published in the Japanese Journal of Medical Mycology showed that using the oil with some salt and heat in a foot bath provides the ultimate athlete’s foot solution.
Application: Mix peppermint with a carrier oil and hot water, then soak your feet for half an hour. You can use the solution twice a day for faster results.
3. Lavender Oil
Studies show that lavender oil can successfully fight dermatophytes the pathogen that causes athlete’s foot and several other skin, hair, and nail problems. As such, the oil will prove to be useful not just when you are dealing with athlete’s foot but also when you are faced with multiple other skin infections.
Application: Mix lavender oil with olive oil and some warm water and soak your feet for thirty minutes.
4. Eucalyptus Oil
Trichophyton mentagrophytes is responsible for a majority of the cases of athlete’s foot witnessed today. Thankfully eucalyptus oil has antifungal properties that can fight this pathogen helping you to recover fully within two weeks!
Application: Mix the oil with water and spray it in the affected area. It is also recommended to spray the oil on your socks and inside the shoes.
Conclusion
No more embarrassing moments of having to constantly avoid removing your shoes due to the stinky athlete’s foot. The oil will help you enjoy wearing your shoes, as you should, and will also protect you from future infections.
