Whether mild or severe, skin fungus can cause bothersome and uncomfortable symptoms that affect not only our physical health but also our mental well-being. It is important to remember that you are not alone in battling this condition; it is estimated that 15% to 30% of French people are confronted with cutaneous fungal infections each year. Fortunately, there are ways to recognize the signs of infection and effective treatments to help manage this problem. In this article, we’ll cover what to look for in the event of a fungal infection and give you information on the medical solutions available.
Symptoms of fungal infections of the skin.
Cutaneous ringworms are a type of fungal infection that can cause a range of skin-related symptoms. These include:
- Redness.
- Itches.
- A desquamation.
- In the most severe cases, peeling or blistering skin.
- The most common sign of a fungal skin infection is excessive dryness and flaking of the affected area, along with discoloration.
Many types of fungi that can cause infections are normally present on the surface of the skin. However, in some cases, the fungi grow out of control and cause infection.
The areas where fungal infections occur most often are the feet and toes due to moisture and being enclosed in shoes or socks. As well as moist areas like armpits or groin folds. In some cases, small lesions may form on the affected area and be accompanied by mild pain or tenderness. It is also possible for the nails to become infected, which can lead to discoloration or thickening.
People with diabetes or weak immune systems are particularly susceptible to developing fungal skin infections due to their inability to fight infection properly. Bottom line, these types of infections can spread throughout the body if not treated quickly enough.
Treatment of skin fungus.
Personal help:
There are several things you can do to prevent a fungal infection from spreading to surrounding skin and other parts of the body.
- Wash affected areas daily.
- Dry your skin thoroughly after washing or bathing, especially skin folds.
- Wear loose clothing made of cotton or material designed to wick sweat away from your skin.
- If you have a toenail infection, keep your feet dry and your nails short.
- Wear breathable, well-fitting shoes and cotton socks (which you should change daily).
- Wash your clothes, bedding and towels often.
- To avoid spreading the infection to others: Do not share personal items such as towels, clothing, brushes or combs.
If you have athlete’s foot or a toenail infection, do not go barefoot in communal locker rooms, swimming pools, or gyms.
If you have yeast infection, you can still go to work and your child can still go to school. But you should start treatment as soon as possible and remember to practice good hygiene to prevent the infection from spreading.
If you have an infected toenail that isn’t causing you any symptoms, you don’t necessarily need to treat it, unless you’re concerned about its appearance.
Medications :
The treatment for fungal infections of the skin mainly depends on the type of fungal infection present. The most common treatments are:
Topical antifungals:
They are applied directly to the affected skin area, usually as a cream or ointment. These drugs work by inhibiting the growth and spread of infections, such as athlete’s foot, ringworm, and jock itch.
Oral antifungals:
They are taken orally in the form of pills or tablets for a period of time. They can be used to treat tinea corporis (ringworm) and tinea cruris (armpit itch), among other infections.
Systemic antifungals:
These are antifungals taken by mouth for a longer period of time than topical or oral medications and can be used to treat more severe cases of fungal infections of the skin such as tinea versicolor. These drugs work by targeting the fungi in multiple places in the body rather than where they are visible on the surface of the skin.
Natural remedies:
Natural remedies are often the first choice for many people when it comes to fungal infections of the skin. There are many natural options that have been shown to relieve and even prevent fungal infections of the skin.
Tea tree oil:
A popular remedy is tea tree oil, which has antifungal properties that help reduce itching and inflammation. It can be applied directly to the affected area of the skin, allowing it to penetrate before rinsing it off with cool water. Additionally, many people find that combining a few drops of tea tree oil with a carrier oil, such as jojoba or coconut oil, helps improve its effectiveness.
Garlic:
Another natural remedy used to treat skin fungus because it contains allicin which has antifungal properties. Allicin can be extracted from garlic by crushing, blending or chewing fresh cloves into a paste. This paste can then be applied directly to the affected areas of the skin and left in place for up to 15 minutes before being washed off with warm water.
Apple cider vinegar:
This remedy is also known for its antifungal properties and can be applied directly to the skin using a cotton ball soaked in vinegar before being rinsed off with water. For prevention purposes, apple cider vinegar can also be added to bath water or diluted in water and taken orally twice a day to help prevent fungus from growing on the surface. skin.
Probiotics:
Also, eating probiotic-rich foods like yogurt or kimchi promotes the growth of healthy bacteria while maintaining balanced levels of fungus on the body’s surface.
