Found a Fungus?

by Shannon Larsen — April 3, 2008

You don't have to be a Vietnam Vet or an athlete to know how disturbing a fungal infection can be, especially if it's anywhere off the region of the foot. The slightly-good news is that it's not all that uncommon for us to pick up an infection at least once in our lives. Since most fungi are harmless to us, we could in theory live out a symbiotic relationship with a flare-up on the arm. Most people are a little too vain for that kind of harmony though, especially if the fungus is determined to cause hypopigmentation (lightening of the skin), blistering, or inflamed itchy red patches. Determined to feed off of their new found host, fungi are persistent and rarely go away on their own.

Most of us run to the doctor once we've identified the unwanted guest, and are prescribed yet another chemical to put onto our largest organ, the skin. Clotrimazole, the most commonly prescribed medicine for treating an infection, often comes with the side effects that the fungus was creating in the first place: redness, stinging, blistering, swelling, and burning. So here's another idea, and one that's a lot less costly and just as effective: 100% Tea Tree oil. The same stuff we're using for our acne is also excellent at smothering a fungus until it's non-existent. About four or five days of continuous application is all it takes to be rid of your little foe. And if your ailment comes in a different form, such as dandruff, poison ivy, ear infections, canker sores of the mouth, or bacterial infections, Tea Tree is the miracle worker on those too. It even has strong anti-viral properties, especially with the Herpes virus, so cold sores, chicken pox, shingles, blisters and warts don't have to stick around for their full duration. Next to the band-aids and antacids, Tea Tree oil deserves its own special spot.