How is athlete's foot treated?

Athlete's foot is easily treated. To avoid developing athlete's foot in the first place, do not go barefoot in public areas. Swimming pools, locker rooms, and saunas are havens for germs. Wear rubber sandals in wet places and dry your feet thoroughly – especially between the toes – after you shower. An over-the-counter anti-fungal cream is effective in treatment of athlete's foot, however, if it does not get better, consult your dermatologist.

Being an Herbalist, I always try and treat ailments naturally first. Here is my suggestion for treating Athlete's Foot:

Tea Tree Oil

Tea Tree Oil has been shown to clear up even the nastiest cases of Athlete's Foot in 64 percent of people according to the Australasian Journal of Dermatology.

Long used by the Australian Aborigines as an antiseptic for cut and wounds, Tea Tree Oil contains the potent Anti-Fungal agents:

• terpinen 4-ol
• and cineole

Tea Tree Oil is extracted from the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia plant.

When looking for Tea Tree Oil to purchase, opt for a product that contains 100 percent Tea Tree Oil. Typically it is recommended to apply the Tea Tree Oil twice a day. If you have sensitive skin, I recommend that you dilute in equal amounts the Tea Tree Oil with a carrier oil such as Almond or Jojoba Oil, and apply once daily. If your skin becomes irritated in any way discontinue applying the Oil immediately and see your Physician.

Generally topical antifungal creams. gels, or solutions will suffice for the treatment of athlete's foot. In more severe cases, a short course of oral antifungals may be necessary. It is important to keep in mind that this is a chronic condition, and intermittent treatment may be needed. Chronic use of an antifungal powder may be helpful.

Athlete's foot is an infection of the skin caused by fungus. The foot is the most common part of the body to get athletes foot because shoes and socks create warmth and dampness which encourages fungus to grow. Athletes foot can be treated by rotating your shoes (don't wear the same shoes everyday i.e. allowing shoes to dry), soak your feet in Epsom salt for 10-15 min. 2-3 times a week (this will decrease moisture in the foot), wear cotton socks (which will wick sweat from the feet), use the steri-shoe (a device that is placed into the shoes every day and uses UV light to kill viruses, bacteria and fungus), spray shoes with deodorant and twice a day apply anti-fungal to the feet preferably in the gel form (the cream anti-fungals add too much moisture). After two weeks if you don't see an improvement it is best to visit with your local podiatrist. The doctor will take a culture and narrow down which organism is causing the infection. A prescription for an oral or topical anti-fungal can be prescribed, a chemical peel can be performed which will cause the skin to peel where all the fungus live and leaving you with fresh healthy skin. It is important that the topical anti-fungal be used for up to two months. If the infection is caused by bacteria antibiotics can be prescribed. Overall, the best way to treat and prevent athlete’s foot is to keep your feet dry.