Best 5 Essential Oils and 7 Recipes For Athlete's Foot (2024)

Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that occurs in between the toes of the foot or on any other location on the body offering the perfect breeding conditions for fungi. It can even establish in the groin, underarm or on the soles of the foot.

The fungi causing athlete’s foot is generally spread out in damp locations, for example the shower and as soon as the fungi manages to get inside the body it is difficult, if not impossible, to entirely remove it. The only way you can prevent a breakout is keeping such locations dry.

Who Gets Athlete’s Foot?

In my view, almost anybody can get athlete’s foot. In addition, the fungi can be passed on from one individual to another. Small flakes of contaminated skin falling from the foot of an infected individual are the biggest carriers of this fungal infection.

What Are The Signs And Symptoms?

Moderate inflammation and itching on the sole of the foot is one of the first symptoms of fungal infections like athlete’s foot. If the infection is not dealt with on time, there can be formation of scales that are shiny silvery. Some individuals might even have the infection reaching their hands, if preventive measures are not taken.

Facts About Athlete’s Foot

The two images below show 14 facts about Athlete’s Foot.

Essential Oils For Best Possible Relief In Athlete’s Foot

Essential oils are among the best natural alternatives versus over the counter creams and lotions that doctors recommend for fungal infections like athlete’s foot. Here are some of the best essential oils that I can personally recommend for this medical condition.

Top 5 Essential Oils for Athlete’s Foot

1. Tea Tree Essential Oil

The essential oil of tea tree is known for its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. Here is how to use tea tree oil for best possible relief:

Tea Tree Oil Foot Soak

You can make a foot soak by adding 10 ml of tea tree essential oil and 3 ml of olive oil to one liter of water kept in a clean bowl. Soak the infected foot in this mix for 20-30 minutes. Repeat the treatment at least three times in a day to get rid of the infection.

Tea Tree Oil Foot Rub

Another way you can help yourself get rid of this condition is rubbing the essential oil of tea tree on the afflicted areas. However, make sure you are not using tea tree oil in undiluted form as it can irritate your skin. You can mix it with a carrier oil such as Almond oil.

Using tea tree oil with arrowroot powder

Things you’ll need

• 1/2 cup arrowroot powder
• Measuring cup
• Tea tree essential oil
• Spoon
• Mixing bowl

Procedure

Take 1/2 cup of powdered arrowroot in a measuring cup and pour the mix into a bowl carrying 40 ml of water. Thereafter, add 40 drops of tea tree oil, blending the powder and oil with a spoon.

Application

Put over the socks and sprinkle the powder and oil mix on them thoroughly. Leave the socks on for 25 minutes, then remove socks, rinse with cool water, and towel dry. Follow this procedure two times a day for 4 weeks to get rid of the fungal infection.

Warning

1. Tea tree oil can cause skin irritation and redness. Do a skin patch test beforehand.
2. Research has indicated that a mixture containing 25 percent to 50 percent of tea tree oil can completely clear the fungal infection in conditions like athlete’s foot, but weak mixes do not. While tea tree oil might not be as effective as drugs, it is recommended that you consult a physician before its use.

2. Peppermint Essential Oil

Peppermint includes omega 3 fatty acids that nurture the skin. In addition, the menthol present in the peppermint oil helps to relieve the inflamed skin and softens it.

You can also make a natural scrub using peppermint oil by adding a teaspoon of it to 1 cup of rolled oats and 1/4 cup of sea salt. Massage your feet with this exfoliating scrub for sustainable relief in athlete’s foot.

3. Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender has been used for countless years for different kinds of skin ailments. You can use it straight on the feet by making a massage to benefit from its anti-inflammatory, regenerative and antibacterial properties.

Another option is to add a couple of drops of Lavender essential oil to your preferred lotion and massage the feet with this mix. When using this remedy, it is recommended that you sleep wearing the socks. This will help the essential oil to permeate to the depths of the skin.

4. Lemon Essential Oil

While helping you to get rid of the infections of the feet, essential oil of lemon helps you to relax and unwind. It promotes better blood circulation, helping your body to heal from the inside out. Its direct application on the skin of the feet gives it a much healthier look.

Just add 8 drops of olive oil, 8 drops of lemon essential oil to a liter (1000 ml) of warm water and dip your feet inside this solution. This will help you unwind your body after a hectic day and take care of your feet in the best possible manner.

5. Eucalyptus Essential Oil

Eucalyptus oilcan kill the bacteria responsible for causing broken heels and blisters on the feet. In addition, it hydrates, nurtures and softens the dry skin. All you need is a relaxing massage with this oil. This oil can also be used as a preventive procedure.

Just blend 1 teaspoon of eucalyptus oil with 2 cups of water, and put in a spray bottle. Spray this mix inside your shoes to sanitize them, especially after a physical activity.

7 Essential Oil Recipes For Best Relief In Athlete’s Foot

The essential oils used in the following recipes are antimicrobial and antifungal and will help your body kill the fungi that caused athlete’s foot. However, make sure that you do a skin test patch before using any essential oils on your skin.

Recipe 1 – Fungi treatment oil drops

Ingredients

Blend the essential oils of your choice. I often use tea tree, tagetes, lavender, lemon or cypress essential oil for this recipe.

Directions

Mix a couple of drops of each of these oils and pour a little amount of this blend onto a cotton wool. Keep the cotton ball in between your toes. It might sting a bit, however that’s a good sign suggesting that the treatment is working.

Recipe 2 – Massage Blend for Athlete’s Foot

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon of Almond oil
• 1 drop of Tea Tree essential oil
• 1 drop of Myrrh essential oil
• 1 drop of Lavender essential oil

Directions

Blend all the ingredients thoroughly and massage your feet 3 times a day.

Recipe 3 – Foot Bath and Dab

Footbath

• 5 drops of Tea Tree oil
• 1 drop of Lemon oil
• 1 tablespoon of Baking Soda
• 1 tablespoon of Epsom salt
• 2 tablespoons of Cider Vinegar

Mix all the ingredients in a bowl that is carrying warm water and soak your feet in it for a minimum of 5 minutes a day. Do not forget to dry feet completely after every use.

Dab

• 2 drops of cypress essential oil
• 25 drops of Lavender essential oil
• 30 drops of Tea tree oil

Blend all the ingredients and keep the mix in a dark-colored glass bottle. Pour a couple of drops on a cotton swab and dab in between the toes and around the toenails. This recipe can also be used on kids.

Recipe 3 – Foot Powder

Ingredients

• 5 drops of Cedarwood
• 10 drops of Lavender essential oil
• 10 drops of Pine Needles
• 1 cup of Clay

Add all the active ingredients to a container and stir until all the essential oils are entirely blended. Allow the mix to dry completely, and then crunch the lumps into the rest of the clay. Use this powder on your feet 3 times in day for a period of 2 months.

Recipe 4 – Foot Fixer

Ingredients

• 6 drops of Lavender essential oil
• 3 drops of Lemon oil
• 12 drops of Tea Tree essential oil
• 3 drops of Peppermint
• 1/2 tablespoon each of Evening Primrose Oil and Vitamin E oil

Mix all the ingredients and massage into clean, dry feet daily.

Recipe 5 – Foot Spritz

• 8 ounces Pure Water *
• 10 drops of Lavender oil
• 10 drops ofPeppermint
• 8 drops of Rosemary
• 15 drops of Tea Tree essential oil

* You can use distilled, spring, bottled, or filtered water. Alternatively, you can boil tap water for about 15 minutes to remove the contaminants present in it. Allow the water to cool before adding essential oils.

Shake all the ingredients well and spray them on clean and dry feet. This will not only help in the treatment of the disease but also remove the numerous nasty smells involved in the issues of the foot.

Recipe 6 – Foot Massage Oil

• 3 drops of Lavender essential oil
• 1 drop of Lemon essential oil
• 5 drops of Tea Tree oil
• 1 tablespoon of Sesame Oil

Use a little amount of this blend to massage the affected location. It is best to use this blend at night after a footbath, and having dried feet well. You can also use this recipe on children.

Recipe 7 – Tea Tree Oil Blend for Athlete’s Foot

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoon fractioned coconut oil
• 3 drops Tea Tree essential oil
• 4 drops Thyme essential oil
• 2 drops Lavender essential oil
• 2 drops Geranium essential oil

Instructions

Mix all the ingredients and apply to the impacted locations up to 3 times a day.

Few additional tips

1. If you have some sort of allergy or extremely delicate skin, it is necessary to water down these oils with equivalent parts of olive oil when making massages directly on the feet. Before starting any massage treatment, do not forget to soak your feet and heels in warm water for about 15 mins.
2. Some essential oils might stain your clothes, linens and furnishings. Be careful. In addition, make use of apumice stone to remove the dead skin cells before using essential oils.

My Favorite Product for Athlete’s Foot Treatment

If you don’t want to make your own essential oils blends for athlete’s foot, let me introduce the one and only H-Athletes Foot from AMOILS that is all-natural, and fast-acting. Click here to read my detail review on the product.

Other Home Treatments For Athlete’s Foot

Athlete’s foot is a condition that can easily be managed with the help of natural treatments. These home remedies will also help the essential oil treatment you are doing for quick relief. Here are some of the home remedies that I have personally tried and tested.

Garlic

Garlic is a potent anti-bacterial and anti-fungal that has been extensively used for the treatment of numerous skin ailments. Here is how to use garlic for relief in conditions like athlete’s foot:

Take 3-4 garlic pods and peel them. Massage the impacted areas for about 2 minutes. Let the crushed garlic stay on the infected skin. Continue this treatment for at least 3 months to get rid of the infection totally.

Apple Cider Vinegar

The strong acetic acid content ofapple cider vinegar makes it reliable for dealing with athlete’s foot. Acetic acid acts upon the infection, killing fungi and sanitizing the skin completely. Prepare a foot soak by blending a cup of apple cider vinegar and 2 cups of warm water in a clean bowl. Soak the infected foot in this solution for about 20 minutes. Thereafter, dry the feet thoroughly using a soft towel or a hair dryer (set at low).

The Bottom Line

In summary, this world is going to be healthier if more and more people start using essential oils instead of resorting to artificially made treatments that offer temporary relief and do not address the root cause of the disease. While being highly effective for skin issues like athlete’s foot, essential oils are natural, safer, and, above all, fun to use.

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