Tinea pedis is the medical term referring to athlete's foot, a common fungal infection that develops on your feet. The disorder typically appears between the toes where skin tends to remain moist for long periods of time. The neem tree yields leaves and an oil with many medicinal properties, including antifungal action that may help in the treatment of athlete's foot. Discuss use of neem with your doctor to decide if it might be helpful for your situation.
Tinea Pedis
Tinea pedis, or athlete's foot, is caused by a fungus called a dermatophyte that resembles a mold. The infection is contagious and causes intense itching, stinging or burning, usually between your toes, and may lead to blisters and cracking or peeling of your skin. When the infection develops in a toenail, it causes the nail to thicken, discolor and sometimes pull away from the nail bed. The organism is normally present and only grows when skin remains moist. Risk factors include incomplete drying of your feet after bathing, wearing tight or plastic shoes or damp socks and walking barefoot in wet public areas such as locker rooms or saunas.
Neem
Neem leaves and oil derived from the neem tree, or Azadirachta indica, have been part of traditional Indian medicine or ayurveda for thousands of years. Practitioners of herbal medicine recommend topical application of fresh neem leaves or neem oil for many skin conditions including wounds, boils, heat rash and leprosy. The oil and leaves contain many different natural compounds with properties that are generally antimicrobial.
Properties
The leaves and seeds of the neem tree contain a yellow, bitter oil that smells like garlic and contains natural chemicals called triterpenes with insecticidal and antimicrobial activity. In a review of neem published in "Current Medicinal Chemistry: Anti-Cancer Agents" in 2005, the authors indicate that the oil contains over 140 natural compounds and confirm that it is effective against fungal organisms and other disease-causing microorganisms. However, clinical trials with neem oil and tinea pedis are still needed.
Recommendations
Neem oil or dried neem leaves are available from most health food stores. The oil may be mixed into a cream or salve and applied to the skin. Alternatively, brew a strong tea from the dried leaves by steeping leaves in boiling water, then strain the liquid and cool to room temperature. Soak your feet in the tea several times daily to inhibit growth of the fungus. Neem oil or tea applied to the skin is generally considered very safe and with no side effects. Talk to your doctor about neem before adding it to your regimen.
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