Should you use magnesium oil on your feet?

Some people apply magnesium oil at their feet to help improve sleep and pain. Although research supports the efficiency of topical (skin) of magnesium applications, no study shows that the use of magnesium on your feet can help you.

Magnesium is a mineral that plays an important role in hundreds of bodily processes, such as muscle contractions and blood pressure. It can be useful for improving sleep, muscle relaxation and pain relief.

Most searches use magnesium taken by the mouth (in the form of a pill or liquid). Some studies have shown that the application of magnesium on the skin can be useful.

Improvement of sleep and relaxation

Many studies have reported that magnesium helps improve the quality of sleep and at the speed at which you fall asleep. Mineral helps regulate melatonin, cortisol levels (stress hormone) and other chemicals that help you relax and fall asleep.

Research has shown that magnesium can improve symptoms of restless legs syndrome, which include uncomfortable sensations in the legs that often aggravate when they are lying in bed. However, these studies were not specifically carried out using magnesium applied to the feet.

Muscle recovery and relaxation

Magnesium can also help muscle recovery, pain and relaxation. This can be useful if you have muscle damage caused by exercise or physical activity. The researchers have not reported information on the magnesium oil applied to the feet.

Pain relief

Magnesium supplements have been shown to relieve pain. A study was carried out in women with fibromyalgia, a condition that causes generalized pain and fatigue. People with fibromyalgia can also have low magnesium levels, which can influence symptoms.

The study asked participants to apply a magnesium spray on their arms and legs twice a day for four weeks. In the second week, many participants saw an improvement in their fibromyalgia symptoms.

Additional research is necessary to understand if the magnesium oil applied to the feet can also help relieve pain.

The application of magnesium oil on your feet can help your body directly absorb the mineral in your blood circulation. Magnesium can cross the outer layer of your skin, called epidermis and reach your blood vessels. From there, the mineral enters your blood circulation and will work in the body where it is necessary.

When you swallow a medication, the digestive system helps break down the supplement to use in your body. This can cause gastrointestinal side effects such as stomach pain, diarrhea and nausea. The application of drugs directly on your skin can reduce the risk of these side effects.

The absorption of magnesium occurs better in areas with sweat glands and hair follicles. Although your feet do not have hair follicles, they have a lot of transpiratory glands. These perspiration glands can help the drugs applied on the skin to quickly enter the body.

Topical magnesium can be found in many shapes, including oil, cream, lotion, spray and salts. When applying magnesium oil on your feet, first test the oil on a small skin area. Before applying it all over your foot, wait until you experience side effects or oil reactions, such as burn or tingling.

Before applying magnesium oil, start with clean, dry and without lotion feet, sweat or other products. This will help you absorb as many products as possible. Avoid applying magnesium oil on your feet if you have cuts or scratches. This can cause pain and healing problems. Once applied, you can massage oil into your skin to help absorption and blood flow to the area.

If you use magnesium oil for sleep, it is best to apply the product just before falling asleep. If the oil drys, you can apply a moisturizer afterwards. Read the label of your magnesium oil product or speak with a health care provider to determine the best dose and the best frequency of use.

Choose a magnesium oil

The most commonly used magnesium shapes for the application of the skin are magnesium chloride and magnesium sulfate. The amount of magnesium in a product may vary. Read the label and talk to a health care provider if you have questions about a magnesium oil product.

Ingestion of large quantities of magnesium by your diet or your supplements may increase your risk of gastrointestinal side effects. These may include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach pain. The application of magnesium oil on your skin lowers your risk of these side effects.

The possible side effects of the application of magnesium oil on the skin include a rash, skin irritation and redness in the region. Applying magnesium oil can cause pain and burns if you have broken skin or scratches.

Some people use magnesium oil on their feet to help improve sleep and pain, but there is little research that supports the efficiency of applying magnesium oil to your feet. Additional research is necessary to understand how magnesium oil on your feet can be useful.

If you are interested in using magnesium oil, discuss with your health care provider. They can help you decide if the product is safe and effective.