Oil Of Oregano For Athlete's Foot

Athlete’s foot is typically caused by tinea pedis, a fungus that is often present and contracted in public places. Other fungal species that cause this disease are trichophyton rubrum and trichophyton mentagrophytes.

It is a very common fungal infection that affects the skin of the feet, especially the area between the toes. Swimming pools, spa, locker room showers and similar places are the typical environments where you can become infected. This fungus easily grows in warm and moist environments like your shoes. Once infected, it is very difficult to eradicate. And if you are able to treat it, you will often be infected again. Therefore care and prevention is very important.

Symptoms
If there are areas of your feet that feel itchy, where there is redness and scaling, or the skin is cracked and blistered, you may be infected. These symptoms may be mild or severe. If the condition is not corrected, it may progress to the point where your toenails become thickened, and become yellowish in color.

Types
There are at least three types of athlete’s foot and all of them are contagious. The most common is the interdigital type. It is chronic and usually affects the 4th and the 5th toes, which results in scaling, maceration and fissures. The second type is the scaly athlete’s foot. It is also chronic and characterized by scaling of the sole of the foot. The most uncommon of all three types is the acute vesicular athlete’s foot. Those who have been afflicted by the first type can develop this disease. It is characterized by the sudden presence of painful blisters on the top or sole of the foot.

Usual Mode of Treatment
The best recommended treatment for athlete’s foot is prevention. It is always wise not to go barefoot in public places like swimming pools, locker shower rooms and similar places. Always wear slippers or sandals whenever you are in such places. For socks, always wear those made of cotton. And always dry your feet well before putting your socks and shoes on.

However, if you are already infected, the typical treatment recommended for athlete’s foot is the application of over-the-counter medication. These medications are made of synthetic chemical substances that are designed to kill fungi. You have to be diligent in applying the medication because of the stubbornness of the fungi. Since these medications are made of synthetic substances, they may cause adverse side effects. In this regard, a better alternative is to use a medication that is made of natural organic substances, in order to minimize the risks. This is where oregano oil can be of help.

The Power of Oregano Oil
Oil of oregano is a substance proven by many studies to kill harmful microbes such as bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi. It has this excellent property because of the presence of phytochemicals, phenols and flavonoids in the oil. The oil is extracted from the crushed leaves of the Mediterranean wild oregano plant. The most active agents of this oil that kills harmful microbes are carvacrol and thymol. It has already been proven that oregano oil can inhibit the growth of dermatophytes, the class of fungi that causes athlete’s foot. Its advantage over pharmaceutical treatments is that it is safe to use, and there is no danger of side effects.

Using Oregano Oil for Athlete’s Foot
The following guidelines are recommended when using oil of oregano for the treatment of athlete’s foot.

• Topical application – apply oregano oil to the affected areas of the feet and toes 2 to 3 times a day until the condition improves. To facilitate the treatment, take 2 to 5 drops of the oil under your tongue. This medical condition usually takes a long time to heal so keep doing this until your condition improves.
• Once cured, always observe preventive measures so that you will not be re-infected. Avoid walking barefoot at swimming pools and public showers. A good tip is to reduce your sugar intake, because dermatophytes thrive well on sugar. Depriving them of their food source will limit their growth.

Important Considerations
Oregano oil contains very powerful substances and if you have a sensitive skin, or body system, it can affect you adversely. Therefore diluting the concentrated oil before using it will help. The usual recommendation is to dilute 1 part of concentrated oregano oil with 4 to 5 parts of virgin olive oil or coconut oil. This will make it easier for your body to absorb it. This is only a precaution, since oregano oil is produced from natural substances and is perfectly safe to use. Any side effects you may experience will subside as soon as the quantity of the oil inside your body is diminished.