Athletes foot?

[AliceJasper]

I have athletes foot and for awhile I didnt know what to do bekuz to many of the norm stuff duz animal testing an what not etc. for me to use for all I know,An then some ppl suggested I ust Tea tree oil,I have it now:)An was just wondering how should I apply it,Do I just squirt it,wipe it on,soak my feet in it?what do I do kuz my feet itch realllly bad:plol

[Bowwowmeow]

You can use tea tree oil straight, or you can dilute it in water, oil, or rubbing alcohol. I have never had athlete's foot, but I do know that tea tree oil is a powerful antifungal. You could also toss some baking soda in a plastic bag with a few drops of tea tree oil to make a foot powder. I think cornstarch could be used too, but I am not sure if that is the best foot powder for athlete's foot, which is a fungus that may be able to feed on cornstarch.

An oatmeal foot bath might sooth the itching too. Put some ground up dry oatmeal in a muslin bag and run the warm water over it. Use the bag to massage your feet. You could add some tea tree oil to this too.

I hope you find relief!

[Gliondrach]

Hello AliceJasper. :wave:

The 'study' or test described below was done with just one subject so is not exactly exhaustive but it is interesting.

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Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. 2007 Jul 13;4:3.

A novel aromatic oil compound inhibits microbial overgrowth on feet: a case study.

Misner BD.

Abstract
ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Athlete's Foot (Tinea pedis) is a form of ringworm associated with highly contagious yeast-fungi colonies, although they look like bacteria. Foot bacteria overgrowth produces a harmless pungent odor, however, uncontrolled proliferation of yeast-fungi produces small vesicles, fissures, scaling, and maceration with eroded areas between the toes and the plantar surface of the foot, resulting in intense itching, blisters, and cracking. Painful microbial foot infection may prevent athletic participation. Keeping the feet clean and dry with the toenails trimmed reduces the incidence of skin disease of the feet. Wearing sandals in locker and shower rooms prevents intimate contact with the infecting organisms and alleviates most foot-sensitive infections. Enclosing feet in socks and shoes generates a moisture-rich environment that stimulates overgrowth of pungent both aerobic bacteria and infectious yeast-fungi. Suppression of microbial growth may be accomplished by exposing the feet to air to enhance evaporation to reduce moistures' growth-stimulating effect and is often neglected. There is an association between yeast-fungi overgrowths and disabling foot infections. Potent agents virtually exterminate some microbial growth, but the inevitable presence of infection under the nails predicts future infection. Topical antibiotics present a potent approach with the ideal agent being one that removes moisture producing antibacterial-antifungal activity. Severe infection may require costly prescription drugs, salves, and repeated treatment. METHODS: A 63-y female volunteered to enclose feet in shoes and socks for 48 hours. Aerobic bacteria and yeast-fungi counts were determined by swab sample incubation technique (1) after 48-hours feet enclosure, (2) after washing feet, and (3) after 8-hours socks-shoes exposure to a aromatic oil powder-compound consisting of arrowroot, baking soda, basil oil, tea tree oil, sage oil, and clove oil. CONCLUSION: Application of this novel compound to the external surfaces of feet completely inhibited both aerobic bacteria and yeast-fungi-mold proliferation for 8-hours in spite of being in an enclosed environment compatible to microbial proliferation. Whether topical application of this compound prevents microbial infections in larger populations is not known. This calls for more research collected from subjects exposed to elements that may increase the risk of microbial-induced foot diseases.

PMID: 17908343
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I was wondering if the researchers were working for a company that made foot powders but in the full study they say:

Acknowledgements
The author expresses appreciation to Cozy Bear Natural Products, Chewelah, Washington, for their gracious donation of a herbal powdered compound selected for its ingredients contents, consisting of arrowroot, baking soda, basil oil, bay oil, tea tree oil, sage oil, and clove oil, (under the proprietary name "Sweet Feet") for this project.

And they mention that there could be infection under the toenails to reinfect the foot. So it would be a good idea to immerse the toes in a mixture of water and tea tree oil so it can soak into and under the nails.

[Gliondrach]

And there's this one:

Australasian Journal of Dermatology. 2002 Aug;43(3):175-8.

Treatment of interdigital tinea pedis with 25% and 50% tea tree oil solution: a randomized, placebo-controlled, blinded study.

Satchell AC, Saurajen A, Bell C, Barnetson RS.

Department of Dermatology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Camperdown, New South Wales, Australia.

Abstract
Tea tree oil has been shown to have activity against dermatophytes in vitro. We have conducted a randomized, controlled, double-blinded study to determine the efficacy and safety of 25% and 50% tea tree oil in the treatment of interdigital tinea pedis. One hundred and fifty-eight patients with tinea pedis clinically and microscopy suggestive of a dermatophyte infection were randomized to receive either placebo, 25% or 50% tea tree oil solution. Patients applied the solution twice daily to affected areas for 4 weeks and were reviewed after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment. There was a marked clinical response seen in 68% of the 50% tea tree oil group and 72% of the 25% tea tree oil group, compared to 39% in the placebo group. Mycological cure was assessed by culture of skin scrapings taken at baseline and after 4 weeks of treatment. The mycological cure rate was 64% in the 50% tea tree oil group, compared to 31% in the placebo group. Four (3.8%) patients applying tea tree oil developed moderate to severe dermatitis that improved quickly on stopping the study medication.

PMID: 12121393

[nagev]

I used to get athlete's foot a lot when I was younger and even into college. I started to avoid the public showers or swimming pools and all that since I felt like I was so susceptible. I tried sandals there, but they didn't appear to be effective. I even had roomates who swam and I always got it after they went to the pool. :( It was frustrating.

I have had any problems in a long time though. I'm not a big fan of sprays or powders or what not. I end up just not wearing shoes whenever I can and it seems to make a difference for me. The fungus thrives in a moist environment. You might also want to consider getting a couple pairs of shoes and letting one dry for a day or two while wearing another. Just have a cycle of shoes.

You might also consider washing your shoes every so often. Going barefoot will also build up the skin on your feet, which I think helps to reduce frequency of infection (or whatever it's called).

Good luck.

[AliceJasper]

Thankx u guys = p

[Bowwowmeow]

Oh and some people are sensitive to tea tree oil. Hopefully you are not, but maybe it's best to try it diluted first just in case. Tea tree oil and lavender oil are the only essential oils I've read about that are considered safe to use on the skin undiluted, and I have never had a bad reaction to either. I also use undiluted peppermint oil on my temples when I get a headache, without any ill effects.

[AliceJasper]

Nope no allergic reaction I got some the other day and have been using it for about 2 weeks an no bad reactions have happend,Um I was also wondering my feet arent really bad and itchy right now so should I keep using the Tea tree oil,or is it ok to stop and use it only when my feet itch and stuff?

[Gliondrach]

Perhaps you should soak your feet each day for a couple of weeks in some water with a few drops of tea tree oil in it - just to make sure. That's what I would do.

[gibby]

it should be pretty easy to clear but can easily come back if not treated right

Firstly I would soak your feet nightly in warm water with citricidal (http://www.alternativestores.com/ethical-shop/Vitamins-Minerals/Higher-Nature-Citricidal-Grapefruit-Seed-Extract-25ml/prod_3240.html)

Its naturally anti viral & bacterial & will quickly sort the symptoms on the outside of your body.

I would also take it in water 4 times a day as this will help to sort out anything in your body that could be causing it. It also works as a prebiotic too & boost the immune system.

If it keeps coming back then try to live for a few weeks without yeast or mushrooms, avoid alcohol & bread.

Also try to increase the amount of raw garlic in your diet, 2 cloves per day will really help as that also is antiviral & bacterial.

The other tip is never to wear your shoes 2 days on the run as they really need time to breath & let the bad stuff go away.

You can spray them with a weak solution of citricidal each day too

hope that helps

G