Table of contents:
Water fleas are one of the causes of itchy feet. This condition occurs due to uncontrolled fungal growth on the feet and causes infection. Well, garlic is known as one of the home remedies for water fleas. However, is it safe to treat water fleas in this way?
Garlic can be used to treat water fleas
Water fleas or also known as tinea pedis (athlete's foot) is a fungal infection of the feet. Although it can affect any part of the foot, this infection most commonly affects between the toes.
In addition to itching, water fleas are also characterized by the appearance of scaly and reddish skin which causes a burning sensation. It is transmitted through contact with infected skin or frequent exposure to damp floors where the fungus lives, such as bathrooms, changing rooms, and swimming pools.
Fortunately, water fleas can be treated with an anti-fungal cream that is applied to the skin. However, there are also natural ingredients that are believed to have the potential to cure water fleas, such as garlic.
Garlic contains ajoene, namely an organosulfur compound that has the potential to treat tinea pedis. 2000 study onJournal of the American Academy of Dermatology,prove the benefits of garlic in the short term treatment of tinea pedis.
A total of 47 soldiers diagnosed with foot fungal infection were divided into 3 groups. Each group was asked to follow a different treatment, namely applying 0.6% ajoene, 1% ajoene, and 1% terbinafine (a drug for fungal infections) for 1 week 2 times a day.
The results indicated a faster recovery process, with the order of 1% ajoene, 1% terbinafine, and 0.6% ajoene. The study showed that garlic could be used as an alternative treatment for water fleas.
However, not everyone is suitable for this treatment
Based on studies, garlic can indeed be used as a treatment tinea pedis. However, not everyone is suitable for this treatment. For example, a case that happened to a woman in England Live Science.
The woman used garlic to treat fungal infections of her feet. You do this by cutting the garlic thinly and then placing it on the area of the leg affected by water fleas.
Instead of healing, the woman felt a burning sensation in her legs. In fact, the skin on his feet was blistered up to the big toe area. Fortunately, this condition received medical attention immediately so that it could recover 2 weeks afterwards. However, how did that happen?
Dr. Lisa Maier, a dermatologist and lecturer at the University of Washington, explains why garlic exacerbates water fleas.
According to him, besides containing the healing compound ajoene, garlic also contains the chemical compound diallyl disulfide. These compounds are known to irritate, cause burns, or allergic rashes and trigger eczema.
So, besides being able to treat, garlic can also aggravate tinea pedis. Before using it as a treatment, it's good to test the skin sensitivity with garlic first.
If you experience itching or a burning sensation, stop using garlic as a natural remedy for water fleas. Don't hesitate to see a doctor, especially if you have sensitive skin, allergies, or eczema. Your doctor will prescribe an antifungal cream, such as terbinafine and clotrimazole.
If the infection has spread to the nails, tablet form of antifungal drugs (oral) will be more effective at treating water fleas than antifungal creams or garlic.
Photo source: Gannet.
