Use Natural Cures for Tinea, or Fungal Skin Infections

Thursday, June 18, 2009 by: Sheryl Walters
Tags: tinea, health news, Natural News

(NewsTarget) Tinea is a fungal infection of the skin more commonly known as athlete's foot. Although the name suggests that only the feet can be affected, athlete's foot can in fact attack any part of the body. As with all fungi infections all that tinea needs to thrive is a hot, moist area of the body, which is why the groin and underneath the breasts are also prone to this infection. Fortunately there are some natural ways to alleviate this problem.

Tinea feeds on the dead skin that is shed by the body, but if that skin is in short supply the fungus will start to attack healthy skin as well. It is when this happens that we see many of the symptoms associated with athlete's foot such as itching, stinging, reddening, a scaly rash and in more serious cases cracks, splits and blisters may also appear in the skin.

Natural Cures For Tinea

The most common home remedy for tinea is tee tree oil. Aboriginal Australians have been using the oil to treat skin infections for centuries and recent research seems to show that they were definitely right to do so. Tee tree oil has been proved to kill certain types of bacteria and in clinical tests it has been shown to help reduce the reddening and scaly rash caused by tinea.

Apple cider vinegar is another home remedy that is thought to work by making the skin more acidic; this makes the skin inhospitable and stops the tinea from spreading. There are many different ways that you can apply apple cider vinegar to the affected areas of the body. One is to use cotton wool balls and just dab the vinegar on. Or if the rash is on your feet you can add some vinegar to a bowl of warm water and soak your feet in it; this can also be very relaxing.

Prevention The Best Cure

With most rash and skin infections prevention and hygiene is actually the best cure, and tinea is no different. After bathing and showering make sure you dry your body thoroughly, especially in between the toes and in any folds of skin such as under the breasts. Make sure you give your skin as much air as possible by taking off your shoes and socks when you get home, as this will help keep your skin dry and stop any infection from growing. And lastly make sure you always wear your thongs whenever you are in a communal changing room; this will help to prevent you from picking up the infection from other people.

These are very simple steps that could not only save you from sore and uncomfortable skin, but they may also save you a fortune in creams and Doctor visits.

http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhc...
http://www.medicinenet.com/athletes_foot/art...
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/diseases/facts/at...

About the author

Sheryl is a kinesiologist, nutritionist and holistic practitioner.
Her website www.younglivingguide.com provides the latest research on preventing disease, looking naturally gorgeous, and feeling emotionally and physically fabulous. You can also find some of the most powerful super foods on the planet including raw chocolate, purple corn, and many others.