With lavender oil against skin fungus

New treatment of dermal fungus

With lavender oil against skin fungus

15/02/2011

Lavender oil helps in the treatment of skin fungus. Portuguese scientists at the University of Coimbra have discovered that the lavender-derived essential oils also work against notorious, difficult-to-treat skin fungus diseases.

Even at low concentrations, lavender oil kills various yeast and filamentous fungi, which in humans are the cause of a large number of skin and nail fungus diseases. The Portuguese researchers investigated the antimicrobial effect of lavender oil in combating fungal infections. Their research was published by Lígia Salgueiro and colleagues in the current issue of the journal „Journal of Medical Microbiology“.

Skin fungus usually affects people with weakened immune systems
Fungal diseases have occurred significantly more in recent years, „especially in patients with a weakened immune system“, said Lígia Salgueiro, one of the study leaders. „Unfortunately, the resistance to medicines that fight these fungi also increases“, the expert underlined the current research event. Their investigations have shown, „that essential oils (in the treatment of fungal diseases) can be a cheap and efficient alternative with minimal side effects“, stressed Lígia Salgueiro. Also skin fungus diseases, which were so far particularly difficult to combat, could be successfully treated with the help of the lavender oil, so the hope of the Portuguese scientists.

Essential oils for the treatment of dermal fungus
As part of their study, researchers at the University of Coimbra had tested the effect of lavender oil on yeast fungi of the genus Candida as well as mold and filamentous fungi. The scientists distilled the essential oils from air-dried green lavender (Lavandula viridis), which is widespread in Portugal. The researchers identified 51 different constituents, with 1,8-cineole, alpha-pinene, linalool and camphor (camphor) being particularly interesting for further investigations. Subsequently, the scientists analyzed the concentration at which the resulting essential oils were suitable for inhibiting or killing the aforementioned fungi. Both the lavender oil as a whole and the effect of the individual components were tested, said Lígia Salgueiro and colleagues.

Lavender oil: potent agent against skin fungus
The effect of lavender oil has been most pronounced in the fungi of the genus Cryptococcus neoformans and various yeast fungi of the genus Candida, emphasized the Portuguese researchers. In the fight against the so-called watering can (Aspergillus), however, the essential oils were less effective, so Lígia Salgueiro in the publication of their study results. When investigating the effect of the individual constituents of lavender oil, alpha-pinene has been found to be particularly effective in combating fungus, the Portuguese researchers said. Overall, lavender oil has proved to be a potent remedy for many fungi. However, according to the researchers, for essential oils of natural origin it is often not a particular ingredient alone but the combination of substances that is responsible for the effect. In addition, the investigative and deadly effects of lavender oil often occurred at the same level of concentration, suggesting that the essential oils destroy the cell walls and the shells of small organelles inside the cell, the Portuguese scientists said. In order to put their research results into practice and to enable the clinical use of lavender oil, further studies are to follow, the researchers write in their publication.

Skin fungus diseases: difficult to treat and relatively common
Skin fungus diseases (dermatomycoses) are relatively widespread and can take a variety of forms. One of the most common skin fungus diseases is the so-called athlete's foot, which mainly transmits to moisture on the ground (for example, in swimming pools or public showers) and is favored in its formation by a humid environment. Even sweaty shoes offer a good opportunity for the athlete's foot to spread. Other relatively common forms of dermatomycosis are vaginal fungal infections, skin fungus diseases in skin folds of the inguinal region or fungal diseases on the scalp. Partial skin fungus diseases also occur, which extend over a large area over the entire body. The diseases themselves are usually caused by other fungi that spread to the skin or mucous membranes of those affected. For example, athlete's foot is usually caused by filamentous fungi that feed on the keratin of the upper layer of skin or nails. However, fungal infections of the mucous membranes often go back to yeast fungi of the genus Candida. Once the fungi enter the bloodstream, they can infect internal organs and are difficult to treat with conventional medical means. For those affected, a corresponding infection can have life-threatening consequences, whereby, according to the experts, especially people with a weakened immune system, for example, the chronically ill or those who have a transplant behind, are particularly at risk.

Symptoms of a skin fungus disease
The symptoms of a skin fungus disease are mainly characterized by (strong) itchy, slightly reddened and scaly skin areas with oozing blistering. Experts advise not to scratch in spite of the considerable itching, otherwise the danger of transmission increases (fungal spores reach over the fingers on other areas of the body) and small wounds and skin cracks occur, which allow the fungus to infect even deeper skin layers, whereby the chances of recovery considerably would be reduced. Anyone who discovers the symptoms should consult a dermatologist to ensure adequate treatment. However, fungal infections generally prove to be extremely persistent, so that even the dermatologist - despite consistent and thorough treatment with proven effective antimycotics - can sometimes achieve only limited success. Here, the new approach of combating fungus with essential oils certainly provides a good supplement to the conventional treatment methods, which moreover rely on purely natural substances. (Fp)

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