Natural treatments for athlete's foot
Natural treatments for athlete's foot focus on various remedies that may alleviate the symptoms of this fungal infection, primarily caused by fungi such as Trichophyton rubrum and Epidermophyton floccosum. Common symptoms include itching, scaling, and redness, particularly in warm and moist areas between the toes. One of the leading natural treatments is tea tree oil, recognized for its antiseptic properties and supported by clinical studies showing its effectiveness against athlete's foot. Other potential remedies include ozonized vegetable oils and the herbal extracts of Solanum chrysotrichum and Ageratina pichinchensis, which have shown promise in preliminary studies. Additional natural options such as garlic, essential oils, and apple cider vinegar are often suggested for their antifungal effects, although the evidence supporting their efficacy is still developing. Preventative measures, like maintaining dry feet using cornstarch or baking soda, are also recommended. While these natural treatments may offer some relief, further research is needed to confirm their safety and effectiveness.
Natural treatments for athlete's foot
DEFINITION: Treatment of fungal infections of the foot.
PRINCIPAL PROPOSED NATURAL TREATMENT: Tea tree oil
OTHER PROPOSED NATURAL TREATMENTS: Ageratina pichinchensis (snakeroot), essential oils, garlic, ozonized vegetable oil, Solanum chrysotrichum (sosa), various tropical/traditional medicinal plants, apple cider vinegar, baking soda
Introduction
Athlete’s foot is the common name for a fungal infection of the foot, often called ringworm (although no “worm” is involved). The three fungi most commonly implicated in athlete’s foot (Trichophyton rubrum, T. mentagrophytes, and Epidermophyton floccosum) favor the warm, moist areas between the toes and tend to flare up during warm weather. Similar infections can occur in the nails, scalp, groin, and beard.
Infection with these fungi generally causes mild scaling between the toes, but it can also cause more severe scaling, an itchy red rash, or blisters that cover the toes and the sides of the feet. Because the fungus may also cause the skin to crack, it can lead to bacterial infections, especially in older people or those with poor circulation in their feet. If the infection takes root under the toenails, it is called onychomycosis; it can be difficult, if not impossible, to eradicate.
Because the fungi that cause athlete’s foot thrive in warm, moist areas, keeping the feet clean and dry is important. Over-the-counter or prescription topical antifungal treatments containing miconazole, clotrimazole, econazole, or ketoconazole can generally cure athlete’s foot. Still, treatment may have to be continued for one month or more for full results. In severe cases, oral antifungal medications may be necessary.
Principal Proposed Natural Treatments
Preliminary evidence suggests that tea tree oil might be helpful for athlete’s foot.
Tea tree oil. Tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) is traditionally used in Australia to treat skin and other infections. This use is supported by evidence that tea tree oil is an effective antiseptic, active against many bacteria and fungi. Multiple double-blind studies suggest it may be helpful for athlete’s foot.
In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 158 people with athlete’s foot were treated with a placebo, 25 percent tea tree oil solution, or 50 percent tea tree oil solution, applied twice daily for four weeks. The results showed that the two tea tree oil solutions were more effective than placebo at eradicating infection. In the 50 percent tea tree oil group, 64 percent were cured; in the 25 percent tea tree oil group, 55 percent were cured; in the placebo group, 31 percent were cured. These differences were statistically significant. A few people developed dermatitis in response to the tea tree oil and had to drop out of the study, but most people did not experience any significant side effects.
Another double-blind, placebo-controlled trial followed 104 people who were given either a 10 percent tea tree oil cream, the standard drug tolnaftate, or a placebo. The results showed that tea tree oil reduced the symptoms of athlete’s foot more effectively than placebo but less effectively than tolnaftate.
A third double-blind study followed 112 people with fungal infections of the toenails, comparing 100 percent tea tree oil to a standard topical antifungal treatment, clotrimazole. The results showed equivalent benefits; however, because topical clotrimazole is not regarded as a particularly effective treatment for this condition, the results mean little.
Other Proposed Natural Treatments
Vegetable oils treated with ozone have antifungal properties. A double-blind (but not placebo-controlled) study of two hundred people with athlete’s foot found that ozonized sunflower oil was as effective as the drug ketoconazole cream.
Solanum chrysotrichum (Sosa) is an herb used in Mexico to treat athlete’s foot and related infections. In a double-blind study of 101 people, four weeks of applying a special extract made from this herb produced benefits equivalent to ketoconazole (as 2 percent cream). However, because the study lacked a placebo group, these results cannot be taken as fully reliable. A similar study found potential benefits with the Mexican herb Ageratina pichinchensis (snakeroot).
Garlic has known topical antifungal properties. Preliminary evidence suggests that cream containing ajoene, a compound derived from garlic, might help treat athlete’s foot.
Besides tea tree oil, other essential oils may be helpful as well, but the evidence remains weak. One study hinted that oil of bitter orange, a flavoring agent made from dried bitter orange peel, might have some effectiveness against athlete’s foot when applied topically. Test tube studies indicate that the aromatic constituents of other essential oils, such as neem, peppermint, and eucalyptus, also have antifungal activity, but they have yet to be tested on people.
Sea salt soaks are often recommended for natural treatment of athlete’s foot due to sea salt’s antifungal and antibacterial properties. Corn starch and baking soda are also suggested to keep moisture away from feet and toes. Apple cider vinegar may create an environment on the foot that is hostile to fungi growth. More than 120 plants traditionally used to treat skin diseases in Mexico, Palestine, British Columbia, and Guatemala have demonstrated antifungal properties in test-tube studies. Further research is needed to determine if these plant products are safe and effective for athlete’s foot or other fungal infections.
Bibliography
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