Q. A few weeks ago I heard Listerine mentioned for jock itch. I didn’t have jock itch, but I was suffering from a very persistent case of athlete’s foot. I had used several over-the-counter medications for weeks with no results. I daubed Listerine on my feet for three consecutive days and the symptoms were all but gone.
I have since used Listerine on my feet once a week and have had no recurrence of athlete’s foot. Maybe it is just the alcohol content in the product but whatever the active ingredient is, it works!
A. Listerine seems to be helpful against a range of common fungal skin infections, including dandruff as well as jock itch and athlete’s foot. We suspect that the antifungal activity of the herbal oils in Listerine (menthol, eucalyptol, thymol and methyl salicylate) may be responsible. The alcohol may also discourage fungal growth.
