Stinky Shoes, Athlete's Foot, Jock Itch? TEA TREE to the Rescue!
Posted on 01 September 2016
Embarrassing but rather common problems are mostly fungal based...like athlete's foot, fungal infections of the toenail, jock itch - and even stinky shoes!
Get to the source and help wipe out these problems.
Tea Tree Essential Oil absolutely excels at killing fungus (and bacteria) and is quite powerful. It is also one of the few essential oils you may be able to apply to your skin directly (but do a patch test to make sure there is no reaction).
Note: most essential oils need to be mixed with an oil or cream before being applied topically.
WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR ZEN TEA TREE ESSENTIAL OIL:
a) ATHLETE'S FOOT
Wash your foot thoroughly and make sure it is very dry (fungi and bacteria love moist areas.) Then apply several drops AT LEAST twice per day “neat” (directly), unless you have a reaction, then dilute it in an organic oil or cream.
Be consistent, and do this every day until the infection is beat. This can take as long as 6 months if it is a serious infection (same for toenail infection.) As an added measure, you can sprinkle baking soda mixed with tea tree in shoes overnight, then shake it out the next morning (see the stinky shoe section below).
b) JOCK ITCH
This is a fungal infection. Use drops directly at least twice daily. It will initially help take away the itch, but with time it kills the fungus. One aromatherapist told me that using a few drops of tea tree on the towels in the washing machine, that is, those in use by the affected person, is also a good practice.
c) TOENAIL INFECTION – this can be so persistent and long‐lasting. Follow the same instructions as for Athlete’s foot above, but with a few more cautions. Don’t reuse your emery boards or files after a pedicure; do a weekly (at least) foot soak with tea tree oil (add a few drop of lemon, clove or lavender if you wish); disinfect your nail scissors or clippers with tea tree after trimming nails.
Be consistent with your applications at least twice daily. It will probably take at least 2 months as the nail will need to grow out fully, but it will be well worth it.
d) STINKY SHOES
When feet sweat, moisture is trapped in shoes causing bacteria and fungus to thrive - causing the odor. We may often wear shoes again before they are fully dried, and the bacteria and fungus continue to grow causing the shoes – and the feet – to smell. PIFF!
In order to treat foot odor, you should try to keep your feet – and shoes – dry with frequent changes of socks, adequate shoe-drying time, and foot baths with Tea Tree Essential Oil.
Treat stinky shoes like this: Mix 8-10 drops of Tea Tree Essential Oil with Baking Soda; sprinkle and cover the inside of your shoes. Let it sit at least overnight but for a full day or two. Shake out the baking soda, wipe down the inside and they are ready to wear.
Repeat as necessary, and remember that fungus and bacteria are persistant, and if your socks are damp or your feet sweat alot, you may have to trade out the shoes or wear them less and treat them more.
