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Athlete's Foot

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Natural Therapies

Herbs and Supplements to Be Used With Caution

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Athlete's foot is a common infection that affects the skin between the toes and soles of the feet. It is caused by fungus that is common in locker rooms, showers, and swimming pool areas. It causes the skin on your feet to be itchy, dry, cracked, and red. You may also have blisters.

Athlete's foot can be treated with antifungal medicine that you put on your skin. Some people turn to natural remedies ease symptoms.

Natural Therapies

May Be Effective

Ageratina pichinchensis (snakeroot) is a plant that may treat athlete’s foot that happens between the toes.A1, A5
Green tea may improve symptoms of athlete’s foot that happen between the toes.A2
Ozone water and oil may work as well as standard treatments on athlete’s foot.A3
Solanum chrysotrichum is a shrub or small tree that may benefit people with athlete's foot.A6

Not Enough Data to Assess

Coriander oilA4

Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.

Herbs and Supplements to Be Used With Caution

Talk to your doctor about any natural therapy you are taking. Make sure it does not get in the way of your treatment or other health issues you may have.

References►

Herbs and Supplements

A1. Romero-Cerecero O, Zamilpa A, et al. Therapeutic Effectiveness of Ageratina pichinchensis on the Treatment of Chronic Interdigital Tinea Pedis: A Randomized, Double-Blind Clinical Trial. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. 2012;18(6):607-611.

A2. Ikeda S, Kanoya Y, et al. Effects of a foot bath containing green tea polyphenols on interdigital tinea pedis. The Foot. 2013;23(2-3):58-62.

A3. Lu J, Guo M. Efficacy of combination of ozonated water with oil for treatment of tinea pedis. Zhong Nan Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban. 2018 Feb 28;43(2):147-151.

A4. Beikert FC, Anastasiadou Z, Frit et al. Topical treatment of tinea pedis using 6% coriander oil in unguentum leniens: a randomized, controlled, comparative pilot study. Dermatology. 2013;226(1):47-51.

A5. Romero-Cerecero O, Rojas G, et al. Effectiveness and tolerability of a standardized extract from Ageratina pichinchensis on patients with tinea pedis: an explorative pilot study controlled with ketoconazole. Planta Med. 2006 Nov;72(14):1257-61.

A6. Herrera-Arellano A, Rodríguez-Soberanes A, et al. Effectiveness and tolerability of a standardized phytodrug derived from Solanum chrysotrichum on Tinea pedis: a controlled and randomized clinical trial. Planta Med. 2003 May;69(5):390-395.

Last reviewed November 2019 by EBSCO NAT Review Board Eric Hurwitz, DC
Last Updated: 5/18/2020

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