Many make the mistake of ignoring the initial signs of white marks on their body as it causes no itch or pain in the beginning. Unfortunately, it only increases and flares after a while and causes extremely painful encounters in the long run. Consult your doctor for anti-fungal creams or oral medication, depending on the severity of the situation. In case of a mild infection, you can resort to some natural and organic ingredients to help cure them. Keep scrolling to more about these remedies!
What Is A Fungal Infection?
A fungal infection is a common infection of the skin that is a result of a fungus invading an area of your body. Your immune system will try to ward off this infection initially, but when it becomes too much for the immune system to handle, it results in a fungal infection. Fungi can survive anywhere – be it the air, soil, or water. Certain fungi also survive naturally in the human body. Like many microbes living in your body, there are both good and bad fungi living in there. While some of them may be beneficial, others can turn out to be harmful. There are different types of fungal infections, and the symptoms of each type may vary.
Types And Symptoms Of Fungal Infections
The common types of fungal infections are as follows:
Athlete’s Foot: It is also commonly referred to as tinea pedis, and it often affects the foot. Such fungal infections are quite common in athletes as the fungi can thrive perfectly in warm and moist environments like the socks and shoes worn by them. The symptoms of athlete’s foot include:Blistering Redness Softened skin Peeling of skin layers Scaly skin Itching, stinging, or a burning sensation
Yeast Infection: Vaginal yeast infection is another common type of fungal infection. It is triggered by a type of fungus called Candida albicans. A Candida overgrowth often disrupts the balance of the vaginal flora. It is also capable of causing toenail infections and diaper rashes . The symptoms associated with a yeast infection include:Swelling and/or itching around the vagina A burning sensation or pain while urinating or during intercourse Redness/soreness around the vagina An unusual vaginal discharge Jock Itch: This condition is medically known as tinea cruris. Since fungi love moist and warm areas, they can easily affect certain areas of your body like the groin, buttocks, and inner thighs. This type of infection is more common in summer and warm/humid parts of the world. Its symptoms include:Redness An itching or burning sensation Chafing of the skin in the affected area A red rash with raised edges Peeling or cracking of the skin
Ringworm: It is also referred to as tinea corporis. This type of fungal infection is triggered by fungi that thrive on dead tissues like nails, hair, and dead skin. These fungi are also known to cause jock itch and athlete’s foot. However, if the infection occurs anywhere else on your body, it is referred to as a ringworm. The symptoms associated with it are:A red, scaly, and ring-shaped patch with raised edges Fissures Skin darkening Blistering
Let us now look into the causes of a fungal infection.
Causes And Risk Factors For A Fungal Infection
As we have already mentioned, fungal infections are caused by yeasts (such as Candida or Malassezia furfur) or by dermatophytes like Epidermophyton, Microsporum, and Trichophyton. An infection begins when the fungal spores touch certain areas of your skin or if the fungus is inhaled. Some factors can also put you at an increased risk of developing a fungal infection. They are as follows:
A weakened immune system A genetic predisposition to fungal infections Being in a profession that causes you to sweat a lot (e.g., an athlete) Close contact with an affected individual Obesity – Obese people tend to have more skin folds, which are perfect spots for a fungal infection.
As you can see, many factors could contribute to the onset of a fungal infection in an individual. Antifungal topical formulations are one of the most sought-after ways to combat such an infection. There are also a number of home remedies that may help in the treatment of mild to moderate cases of fungal infection. They are as follows.
Home Remedies To Treat A Fungal Infection
1. Coconut Oil
1-2 teaspoons of organic coconut oil You can do this 1-2 times daily. Coconut oil is antifungal and can help treat fungal infections, especially the ones caused by Candida (2).
2. Garlic
2-3 garlic cloves 2-3 teaspoons of organic coconut oil
You can do this once daily. Garlic contains ajoene, an organosulfur compound that exhibits antifungal properties (3).
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar ½ cup of water Cotton balls
You can do this 1-2 times daily. Apple cider vinegar is effective in eliminating a wide range of microbes, including fungi, due to its antifungal nature. A study published in the Journal of Prosthodontics found ACV to be effective against Candida (4).
4. Cranberry Juice
500 mL of cranberry juice Consume 500 mL of cranberry juice daily until the symptoms clear away. You may drink this juice once daily. Cranberry juice is fungistatic. According to a study published in the journal Applied Microbiology, cranberry juice is effective against eight species of dermatophytes (5).
5. Aloe Vera
Freshly extracted aloe gel You may do this once daily. The fresh leaves extract of aloe vera possesses antifungal properties. A study published in Mycoses journal shows that aloe vera reduces the growth of Candida, a common fungal species (6).
6. Baking Soda
½ cup of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) Water
You may do this 1-2 times daily. While the mechanism of its action is yet to be explored, a study published in the journal Mycopathologia found that baking soda exhibited antifungal properties (7).
7. Epsom Salt Bath
1 cup of Epsom salt Water
You may do this once every alternate day until you notice an improvement in your symptoms. Epsom salt contains magnesium. Magnesium helps reduce inflammation due to its anti-inflammatory properties and is thus a great remedy to alleviate the inflammatory symptoms of a fungal infection (8).
8. Guava Leaves
A handful of guava leaves Water
You may do this once daily. Guava leaves help inhibit fungal growth and may improve the functions of other antifungal formulations (9).
9. Ginger
1-2 inches of sliced ginger A cup of water Cotton balls
You may do this 1-2 times daily. Ginger possesses antifungal and fungistatic properties that may help in preventing the formation of fungi biofilm (10). These properties may also help in getting rid of fungal skin infections.
10. Neem Leaves
A handful of neem leaves Water
You can do this 1-2 times daily. Neem leaves are rich in polyphenolic flavonoids that exhibit antifungal properties (11). Hence, they may help get rid of fungal infections.
11. Tea Tree Oil
2-3 drops of tea tree essential oil 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
You can do this once daily. Tea tree oil exerts antifungal action (12). This may help you deal with fungal infections. Once you get a fungal skin infection, it can become a recurring event if proper care and caution are not taken. Listed below are some helpful tips to prevent fungal infections from recurring time and again.
How To Prevent A Fungal Skin Infection
Wear breathable cotton underwear. Follow a good personal hygiene regimen. Avoid wearing tight-fitting clothing. Keep the folds and corners of your skin clean and dry. Avoid vaginal douching. Avoid using perfumed soap and scented tampons. Manage your stress levels.
In some cases, a fungal infection may be mistaken for psoriasis or bacterial infection. To be able to differentiate a fungal infection from them, you should be aware of the major differences between the three conditions.
Fungal Infection Vs. Psoriasis Vs. Bacterial Infection
The main differences between a fungal infection, psoriasis, and bacterial infection are as follows. Fungal Infection • It is caused by fungal spores like Candida. • It may cause symptoms of itching, redness, peeling, and scaling. • It is categorized into different types depending on the body part it affects. Psoriasis
It is a chronic condition that is triggered by an overactive immune system. It causes cells to build up on your skin’s surface, thereby resulting in symptoms like red patches, scales, itching, burning, and swelling of your skin. It can be categorized into different types.
Bacterial Infection
It is triggered by different bacterial species. It can cause varying symptoms like cough, fever, nausea, sneezing, cold, and so on. Bacterial skin infections cause symptoms like rashes, blistering, redness, pain, tenderness, and itchiness. It is classified into different types, depending on the symptoms exhibited and the type of bacteria triggering it.
If you are unsure, it is best to consult a doctor.
Hope you found this article informative. Don’t forget to leave your feedback in the comments box below. What kills fungus on the skin? Any of the remedies discussed above can help in getting rid of fungus on the skin. Antifungal ointments are also effective in treating fungal skin infections. How long does it take for a fungal skin infection to clear up? While a superficial fungal infection may heal in a few days or months, a deep tissue infection may take up to two years. What should you not eat with a fungal infection? If you have a fungal infection, avoid sugar, white flour, glutenous foods, fermented drinks like alcohol, and certain dairy products like whole milk as they may aggravate the condition. Instead, you can start consuming more of antifungal foods like herbal teas and probiotics like yogurt. What is the strongest over-the-counter antifungal medication? Some of the most popular over-the-counter antifungal medications include butenafine hydrochloride, clotrimazole, miconazole nitrate, terbinafine hydrochloride, and tolnaftate. How to test for a fungal sinus infection? The common diagnostic tests for fungal sinusitis include total immunoglobulin E test, immunologic testing for allergens, and non-specific allergy testing. Can I get a fungal infection from not washing my bath? Bathrooms are the ideal place for fungi to grow as they are both warm and moist. Those susceptible to diseases are thus quite likely to catch a fungal infection from a dirty bath. When to see a doctor for a fungal infection? While most fungal infections can be treated with the above remedies and any of the over-the-counter medications, some symptoms may be quite severe and may not show any improvement despite treatment. In such instances, it is best to avail medical treatment immediately. Which type of fungal infection is the most serious? Invasive aspergillosis is a fungal infection that is reported to have high fatality rates. It commonly attacks the lungs and can even spread to other body parts (13).
