A trip to your doctor can help you know how serious the problem is and what can be done about it. Most doctor’s will refer you to a podiatrist. A podiatrist specializes in treating feet and all kinds of health issues regarding the foot. A podiatrist will be able to tell you the proper course of action to treat this embarrassing condition.

There are at-home treatments that you can try to help get rid of the fungus yourself. Many people claim that soaking your feet in apple cider vinegar every night can clear up the infection. Vinegar is great for killing bacteria and all kinds of germs.

Some professionals believe that certain infections can only be cleared up with a prescription. In order to get a prescription, you will need to have a doctor prescribe the right medication and correct dose to you. Prescriptions for this type of health ailment can be really expensive.

A new treatment for nail fungus is by using lasers to laser off the infected area. This is a quick solution with a high success rate. This form of treatment is very expensive and not readily available for everyone that has fungus. Check with your doctor to find out if you might benefit from this course of treatment.

You don’t have to be embarrassed about your toenails. Even if you only have one fungal infected toe, it can be worth it to get the medical treatment you need. Always check with a medical professional before you start any new medical program or prescription. Scheduling an appointment to see your doctor can ensure that you get the medical attention you need.

Ever wonder what makes toenails turn brown or create red scaly patches on skin? As grotesque as such images may be both of these conditions are most likely caused by a fungal infection. Conventional treatments for fungal infections are often ineffective and accompanied with side-effects. A wide-range of science literature indicates that essential oils can combat invasive fungi.

Fungi are More Than Mushrooms

Many of us might associate fungus with hairy things growing on forgotten bread or cheese, or organisms that grow out of rotten logs. Yet, fungi are also commonly found on and in the human body. When our immune systems are compromised, fungi can infect non-living tissue such as our hair and nails as well as beneath the skin. Fungal infections (also called mycosis) can be a direct cause of skin and mucous membrane irritations and in worst case scenarios be the cause of death.

Human Diseases Caused by Fungi

You might have experienced or know someone with a Candida infection. This troublesome yeast can cause irksome and often reoccurring vaginal infections in women and oral thrush in both adults and children. Those with compromised immune systems can develop systemic and sometimes fatal infections.

Other disorders arising from fungal infections are such things as athlete’s foot, maladies of hair and nails, necrosis of the skin, and aspergillosis- a pulmonary disease initiated by fungi of the genus Aspergillus. An Aspergillus infection can cause airway restrictions and even fatal lung bleeding.

It is clear that fungal infections are not to be ignored. Some infections may only be an irritant while others may be fatal if left untreated. Below is a synopsis of recent science studies that have investigated the use of essential oils on various fungi, often with substantial results.

Inhibiting Species of Candida

There is a large collection of recent science literature indicating that various essential oils and their constituents (such as clove oil, lemongrass, eucalyptus, thyme, juniper, cinnamon, and tea tree) have been shown to be effective (in vitro) at inhibiting the progression and spread of this fungus. In a 2007 study from the Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in India, scientists found that rosemary essential oil was effective against drug-resistant mutants of Candida albicans.

Essential Oils in the Treatment of Dermatophytes

Dermatophytes, a group of fungi that infect hair, skin and nails, feed on the nutrient-rich proteins of keratin. As they feed, they leave behind toxins which in turn cause inflammatory responses such as skin rashes and tenacious toe nail infections.

Researcher from the Center of Advanced Study in Botany in India (2009) found that Cymbopogon martini (palmarosa) and Chenopodium ambrosioides (wormwood) exhibited in vitro and in vivo (guinea pigs) antifungal activity separately and synergistically. They conclude that such results validate using essential oils in the treatment of dermatophyte infections and an alternative to conventional tropical treatments.

Stopping the Spread of Pulmonary Aspergillosis

Although spores of Aspergillus are found in the air and on the ground, those that develop an infection from Aspergillus (aspergillosis) can develop severe reactions. Several research studies indicated that using essential oils to combat this potentially deadly fungus merit consideration in clinical use. A 2009 study from the University of Porto in Portugal found that clove oil (Syzygium aromaticum) exhibited inhibitory activity against Aspergillus. They identified that the active compound found in clove oil (eugenol) caused extensive damage to the fungal cell membranes.

Concluding Thoughts

It is certain that most of us will experience fungal infections at one time or another. Once these organisms take a foot hold, they are not eager to leave and are often resistant to conventional treatments. Acknowledging that conventional treatments are not always successful nor safe, medical researchers are looking at using essential oils as a treatment alternative. Laboratory studies indicate that essential oils are effective against fungal infections and in some cases more potent than conventional drugs.