Athlete’s Foot is a condition that most of us have heard about, but what exactly is it and how does one get it? This condition is caused when fungi that live on our skin, hair and nails (called dermatophytes) get warm or damp and stay in prolonged contact with our skin. This can happen from wearing damp socks for extended periods of time (i.e. while hiking/camping), touching contaminated surfaces, and not thoroughly washing and drying feet. Symptoms include redness, flakiness, or cracking of the feet. You may feel itching, burning, or general discomfort.
The term Athlete’s Foot stems from the fact that many people get this from engaging in activities or coming into contact with contaminated surfaces like locker room showers. There are several ways to fight Athlete’s Foot, from wearing “shower shoes” in communal places such as pools, locker rooms, and hostels; making sure that socks are thoroughly cleaned and dried after use; and wearing socks made of a breathable material so moisture doesn’t collect. You can also use essential oils that contain anti-fungal properties to alleviate the symptoms of Athlete’s feet, while also targeting the fungi before a problem arises.
While there are several essential oils that can be beneficial, we’d like to highlight the specially formulated blend of Clove, Lavender, Tea Tree and Thyme that we use in our Rugged Riley Foot Spray. Each of these oils contains anti-fungal properties, which in addition to fighting the irritant, also helps against unpleasant aromas. These oils, along with the carrier oils we use, help cleanse and moisturize skin without leaving skin damp.
For best results, throughly wash and dry feet. (We recommend using an anti-fungal soap like Lemongrass or Tea Tree with a soap scrubber to ensure feet are as clean as possible!) Once feet are totally dried, shake the Spray bottle and apply directly to affected area. Use your hands to thoroughly rub into feet. If applying before you plan to wear socks, take extra care that feet are completely dry before putting them on.
*For informational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
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