Author: Karyn Siegel-Maier
Published on: August 16, 2000

They’re embarrassing, unsightly and, in some cases, even debilitating. What are they? They are the fungal infections caused by minute parasitic yeasts and molds. Topical fungal infections can affect several areas of the body, from the scalp to the toenails, and can take up residence in a person of any age. They can also take considerable time in making their presence known, making their detection often difficult. What’s more, they are contagious.

What’s an infected person to do? The first remedial step in treating a suspected fungal infection is to get a confirmed diagnosis from a qualified health care practitioner at the first sign of trouble. Some types of fungal infections become cosmetically apparent soon after exposure. Others must be identified under a Wood’s lamp, a type of ultraviolet light. Once an accurate diagnosis is made, a specialized course of treatment can then be pursued.

Some types of fungal infections, such as the kind that attacks the nails, can be very difficult to eradicate. Nail infections in particular are often treated with oral drugs, such as terbinafine or ketoconazole. However, recent studies continue to indicate that some of these medications may pose certain health risks. Specifically, ketoconazole has been linked to liver damage, in a few cases with fatal results. If your physician suggests the use of such oral drugs, you may want to explore its efficacy and potential side effects before undergoing treatment.

The good news in all of this is that you can successfully treat fungal infections safely and effectively with natural methods, such as certain botanicals. The following paragraphs outline the most common types of fungal infections and the best herbal remedies to ward them off.

Meet the Enemy

The most common fugal infections are a form of tinea, or ringworm – a group of organisms known collectively as “dermatophytes.” The term ringworm refers to the fact that researchers once speculated that it was caused by a parasitic worm, as evidenced by the tell-tale round, red lesion it produces. But, of course, we now recognize that ringworm is an invading fungus. Not only is ringworm highly contagious, but it can be found in seemingly innocent places. The specific fungus responsible for scalp ringworm infections is found in humans and animals, including pets. In fact, children typically contract ringworm from the family cat or dog. The fungus that leads to ringworm of the body (tinea corporis) can be found living in humans, animals and in ordinary soil. And, the fungus that causes infections of the feet and nails live exclusively in humans. People pick up these fungi from infected surfaces, such as locker rooms and pools, and of course, other people.

Athlete’s Foot (Tinea pedis) – Athlete’s foot is characterized by itching and a burning, scaling rash around and between the toes. Effective treatment of this type of infection is the same as its prevention – keeping the feet as clean and dry as possible at all times. The application of powder, or cornstarch, can help to reduce excess moisture. Wearing shoes that provide ventilation and avoiding those that can trap moisture is also helpful.

Ajoene, a garlic-derived organic trisulphur, has a demonstrated ability to check athlete’s foot. In a 1996 trial, the use of a cream containing 0.4% ajoene resulted in the complete cure of 27 out of 34 patients after only one week of treatment. The remaining seven patients achieved the same result after an additional seven days. Alcohol extracts of garlic or ajoene-formulated creams can be found in many natural food stores.

Jock Itch (Tinea cruris) – While the common name for this fungal infection paints an unpleasant graphic picture, its attributes are even less attractive. As the name implies, the offending culprit is often an athletic supporter too long in need of washing. Jock itch is primarily a man’s concern, affecting the groin but rarely spreading to the penis, scrotum or a female partner. It is, however, aggravated by moisture and friction, making intimate contact less than desirable. Keeping the area clean and dry will usually correct the problem in 1-2 weeks. Wearing boxer shorts rather than briefs, and applying powder after bathing, will also speed healing.

For persistent tinea cruris, garlic once again offers relief. In a 1999 study involving 60 soldiers afflicted with either jock itch or tinea corporis, a 0.6% ajoene gel proved more effective than a 1% terbinafine cream with a healing rate of 77% compared to 75% after 30 days of treatment.

Nail infections

The bad news first: Of all the fungal infections one can encounter, tinea unguium (toenail infection) and onychomycosis (fingernail infection) are the most difficult to conceal and treat. In this case, the fungus penetrates the nail and continues to spread to other fingers and toes, causing thickening and discoloration of the nails. Oral drugs, such as griseofulvin, are very expensive and only offer a 50-70% chance of a cure. Griseofulvin also sometimes produces unwanted effects, such as headaches and nausea. Furthermore, this drug must be taken until the nail grows out (from 6 months to 1 year) and liver damage is associated with its long-term use. Another drug, terbinafine, is only administered for a 6-12 week period, but is even more costly and also only has a 50-70% success rate.

Ready for the good news? Significant results can be obtained from treating nail infections with Australian tea tree. Tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) was the subject of a recent double-blind, placebo-controlled study in which 60 nail infection patients aged 18-80 years achieved an 80% cure rate after 16 weeks. In addition, none of these patients experienced a recurrence of infection. Tea tree preparations can be found in health food stores, or a home treatment of 2 drops tea tree essential oil blended with a vegetable-based carrier oil can be applied to affected nails twice each day.

Selected References:

1. Findor JA, et. al. “Ketoconazole-induced liver damage.” Medicina 1998;58(3):277-81.
2. Ledezma E, et. al. “Efficacy of ajoene, an organosulphur derived from garlic, in the short-term therapy of tinea pedis.” Mycoses 1996 Sep-Oct;39(9-10):393-5.
3. Ledezma E, et. al. “Ajoene in the topical short-term treatment of tinea cruris and tinea corporis in humans. Randomized comparative study with terbinafine.” Arzneimittelforschung 1999 Jun;49(6):544-7.
4. Syed TA, et. al. “Treatment of toenail onychomycosis with 2% butenafine and 5% Melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) oil in cream.” Tropical Medicine and International Health 1999 Apr;4(4):284-7.