Can Geranium wilfordii treat athlete's foot?
Apr 07, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Xiuhong
Introduction
Geranium has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Its active ingredients can effectively inhibit fungal growth, thereby helping to relieve symptoms of athlete's foot such as itching and peeling skin. Patients can try washing the affected area with a Geranium herbal decoction or apply topical medications containing Geranium extract to assist in alleviating symptoms.
Athlete's foot generally refers to tinea pedis. Geranium can be used as an adjunctive treatment for tinea pedis, but is generally not suitable for patients with severe symptoms of tinea pedis or those allergic to geranium. If abnormalities occur, timely medical attention is recommended. Detailed analysis is as follows:
Geranium has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties; its active components can inhibit fungi to a certain extent, thus helping to alleviate symptoms such as itching and peeling skin caused by tinea pedis. Patients may try washing the affected area with water boiled from geranium, or apply topical medications containing geranium to help relieve symptoms.
However, when tinea pedis is accompanied by complicated symptoms such as infection, erosion, or blisters, using geranium alone may not achieve the desired therapeutic effect. At this time, more effective antifungal medications such as itraconazole capsules, clotrimazole cream, and ketoconazole cream should be used under a physician's guidance. Additionally, patients allergic to geranium may experience allergic reactions such as skin redness and itching after use, which may even worsen the condition.
When using geranium to treat tinea pedis, patients should first perform a skin test to ensure no allergic reaction occurs. During treatment, patients should keep their feet clean and dry, and avoid sharing shoes and socks to prevent the spread of infection.
