According to research, aromatic oils inhibit microbial overgrowth on feet. It may be time to let chemical medications slip away. 

There are other ways, healthier and more refreshing, to kill-off fungus! We’re presenting the best essential oils for athlete's foot.

Table of Contents:

• What is athlete’s foot?
• How to tell you have athlete’s foot: the symptoms
• The best essential oils for athlete's foot
• Tea Tree Essential Oil has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects
• Lemon Essential Oil is antifungal and antioxidant
• Lavender Essential Oil has a calming effect on the skin
• Peppermint Essential Oil contains antiseptic and refreshing compounds
• Eucalyptus Essential Oil disinfects and stimulates the healing
• Geranium Essential Oil rehydrates the skin
• Clove Essential Oil heals abscesses and improves scar tissue
• Thyme Essential Oil eases sores and wounds and prevents infections
• Chamomile Essential Oil helps soothe pruritus and speeds up wound healing
• Frankincense Essential Oil heals damaged skin and has powerful antiseptic effects
• Oregano Essential Oil has antifungal effects and helps heal wounds
• Myrrh Essential Oil is a healing agent and quite potent against ring’s worm
• Cedarwood Essential Oil is effective in aiding cracked, infected skin
• How to use essential oils to treat athlete’s foot
• Foot soak
• Topical applications and cotton balls
• Foot massages

What is athlete’s foot?

Walking barefoot in humid places where an infected person walked on, swimming pools or showers are ideal for catching pesky foot infections.

Sweaty feet, tight shoes, damp socks, not drying the feet and the toes, synthetic fabrics in our socks or shoes: these are the perfect environment for fungus. 

Moisture and warmth create the ideal area for Tinea Pedis, aka athlete’s foot, to thrive. This contagious fungal infection attacks your feet, but it can also spread to toenails and even hands. 

So, keep your feet dry and keep reading!

How to tell you have athlete’s foot: the symptoms

You must keep your feet clean! Because an athlete’s foot is not something to be joking with. It starts with some nasty foot odors. 

Then you will notice flakey patches of skin and even cracked skin. If these will not annoy you, then the red scaly rash will. 

Not to mention the stinging sensations, the itching, and the burning!

The best essential oils for athlete's foot

You can find many medical foot treatments. In severe cases, fungal infections require dermatological help. 

But if you don’t need a prescription or want to take over-the-counter drugs, there are other ways. Studies suggest that aromatic oils are natural remedies that can help you get rid of the fungus. 

What essential oil kills athlete's foot, you’re asking? 

Buckle up! You have plenty of options!

Tea Tree Essential Oil has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects

Which essential oil is best for foot fungus and toenail fungus? Tea tree oil, known as melaleuca, has antifungal, antiviral, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects. 

Lemon Essential Oil is antifungal and antioxidant

Lemon oil has antifungal, antimicrobial, and antioxidant effects. Its aroma is refreshing and invigorating. Plus, you’ll love this after dealing with the nasty odor of an athlete’s foot!

Lavender Essential Oil has a calming effect on the skin

If you’re dealing with an annoying case of dry skin due to an athlete’s foot, lavender oil is for you. 

Not only does it have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, but it also soothes the skin and rehydrates it. 

Peppermint Essential Oil contains antiseptic and refreshing compounds

Skin irritations and even wounding can happen when fungal infections aren’t kept in check. 

Peppermint oil is one extract that helps relieve and soften inflamed skin. It also has antibacterial, antiseptic, and antiviral effects. 

And it smells refreshing!

Eucalyptus Essential Oil disinfects and stimulates the healing

Eucalyptus oil is known for its strong antibacterial properties. 

It can rehydrate and replenish the skin while fighting off fungus. It’s a great choice to disinfect your shoes, socks, and gym bag too!

Geranium Essential Oil rehydrates the skin

Geranium combats infections, bacterial and fungal. It stops inflammation and speeds up the healing of the wounds.  

Clove Essential Oil heals abscesses and improves scar tissue

What is the best natural cure for an athlete's foot? Clove is mentioned within research. Its antiseptic properties fight against sores, wounds, and fungi.  

Thyme Essential Oil eases sores and wounds and prevents infections

Abscesses, blisters, boils, fungal infections: they are all diminished when using thyme essential oil. 

Chamomile Essential Oil helps soothe pruritus and speeds up wound healing

Chamomile can help soothe abscesses, blisters, boils, and all kinds of wounds of the feet.

It can have a healing effect even on the flakey, sensitive skin of the feet affected by Tinea Pedi. 

This oil is effective against pruritus. It also cleanses and provides nourishment to the skin.

Frankincense Essential Oil heals damaged skin and has powerful antiseptic effects

Frankincense also has antibacterial and antiseptic effects. It works against fungal infections. It boosts skin regeneration and aids in rejuvenation.  

Oregano Essential Oil has antifungal effects and helps heal wounds

What is the strongest antifungal essential oil? In data and research, oregano is also mentioned as a healing agent. 

Myrrh Essential Oil is a healing agent and quite potent against ring’s worm

It smells amazing. It has calming effects and aids in fungal skin infections. Myrrh oil is a well-known botanical extract against ringworm and athlete’s foot, specifically.

Cedarwood Essential Oil is effective in aiding cracked, infected skin

Another essential oil with potent antifungal properties: cedarwood knows how to deal with athlete’s foot.

It provides relief against stinging and itching. It cools down the burning sensations and soothes cracked skin.

How to use essential oils to treat athlete’s foot

To use essential oils to treat athlete's foot, and to harness antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties of essential oils, you can choose one of the following alleviating techniques:

Foot soak

Foot baths with warm water are the most effective. According to research, the combined effects of essential oils, heat, and salt are comparable to medical treatments. 

Oregano, thyme, cinnamon bark, lemongrass, clove, palmarosa, peppermint, lavender, geranium, and tea tree were deemed to be effective against Tinea Pedi. 

Topical applications and cotton balls

Using cotton balls soaked in oils with antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic properties is another way to get rid of infections of the feet and toes. 

Placing cotton balls soaked in essential oils (mixed with carriers) between the toes is effective against an athlete’s foot. 

Foot massages

Foot massages with oils that have antifungal and antibacterial properties are also effective against athlete’s foot. Make sure to blend the essential oils with a carrier oil and to previously test your skin for allergic reactions. 

Nature has it, and studies confirm it: essential oils can help cure an athlete’s foot! 

They don’t contain harsh, poisonous toxins, they are effective, they are cheaper. And you'll be having an aromatherapy session when using them!

Explore the WOW website for more natural essential oils.