Fungus Infections And Dry Skin Treatment

Fungal infections are among the most common kind of skin infections that affect people. These infections are rather contagious, spreading easily from one body part to another and from person to person too. In a fungal infection of the skin, the affected area typically becomes itchy, red, thick, scaly and dry. The common kinds of skin fungus that affect people are athlete’s foot (infection between the toes), jock itch (wherein the groin is affected), ringworms (that can happen anywhere, typically starting at a central point and spreading to form a bigger ring), and candiasis (caused by candidas albicans that affects the underarms). The infection can break on any body part that is warm, unventilated and damp for a prolonged period of time. Parts like the underarms, waist, groin, and in between toes are therefore most susceptible to these infections. One must therefore take special care to keep these areas dry and clean at all times to prevent fungal infections. One can clean the affected area and dry it with blow dryer if one is particularly susceptible to fungal infections.

Remedies For Treating Skin Fungus Effectively

While keeping the skin dry and clean prevents fungal infection, some remedies can effectively cure an existing infection. There are products like apple cider vinegar, tea tree oil, garlic oil, lavender oil, oregano oil, or primrose oil that can be applied to the affected skin to get rid of the fungus. After cleaning and drying the skin, one can topically apply any of the above mentioned products on the affected area about twice a day to treat it. You can also mix about 16 drops of any of the essential oils or ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar in a bathtub of warm water and soak in it for 20 minutes everyday. You can also rub a clove of garlic on the affected skin.

Diet also plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of fungal infection. A faulty, unbalanced diet weakens the immune system, thus making the body susceptible to fungi. It is therefore important to consume only organic foods instead of canned foods with preservatives, junk, fried and oily food. All these are detrimental to the skin and the immune system. Green leafy vegetables, fresh fruits, raw vegetables, and whole grains are very beneficial to one’s health and skin. You must also have foods that are rich in Vitamin C, such as citrus fruits like oranges, lemon, sweet lime, and grapefruit. Drinking lots of water and eating garlic, onion and unflavored yogurt can also prevent and cure fungal infections.

Fungal skin infections are mostly found occurring on the skin of an individual because of a fungus. Typically, the excessive growth of a regular harmless fungus or certain type of fungus are known to result in a fungal infection of skin. However most fungal infections of the skin are known to be treated easily and also effectively. An individual will usually suffer from a fungal infection of the skin because these skin fungal infection tends to thrive on keratin which is the protein that is the chief constituent of hair, nails and skin. The appearance and the symptoms of a fungal infection on skin will vary depending on the part of the body of the individual that is affected as well as the type of fungus that is causing the skin fungus infection. Many a times, fungal skin infections are also known to cause rashes which may again vary in appearance. In some fungal skin infections the rash may be scaly, red and itchy whereas in other fungal skin infections the rash may be very similar in appearance to plain dry skin. Additionally, a skin fungus infection may affect several areas of the body or just one area . In some cases, it has also been observed that the fungal skin infection may result on the beard or scalp may also result in loss of hair. One should be careful to diagnose the fungal infection correctly and not confuse it with other known skin problems such as eczema and psoriasis. Research has shown that individuals have a higher risk of fungal skin infections is they are taking steroids, are overweight or suffer from diabetes, have had cases of fungal skin infections in the past, are on a curse of antibiotics, or are suffering from a weakened immune system on account of medical conditions such as AIDS or HIV. In order to prevent fungal skin infections, one should remember that fungal infections are known to develop and spread more easily if the skin is moist. Hence those people who do not dry their skin well after bathing or sweating or those who do not wear the right kind of clothing which allows their skin o sweat and breathe well are more prone to developing fungal skin infections. Similarly if the individual has recently suffered from any external damage to the skin in the form of a graze or a cut then too they may suffer form a fungal skin infection. In most cases, fungal skin infections are known to be very contagious and can easily spread from one person to another. In case of the fungal skin infection known as athletes foot, it is known to spread easily via communal areas such as swimming pools and gyms and also using towels or bed sheets and other such person items.

A fungal infection called ringworm is also known to be caught from animals such as dogs, cats and even cattle in some rare cases. Diagnosis of skin fungal infections will be done by a doctor by examining the location and the appearance of the rash caused by the skin fungal infection. Thereafter if required the doctor may also take a fragment of the hair or nail or a skin scraping and send it to the laboratory for further testing and for a more accurate diagnosis. Typically the treatment for most fungal skin infections are via antifungal topical ointments that are commercially available in various medical stores along with other such antifungal products like lotions and other medicated products. However, as per the prescription of the doctor if the rash caused by the fungal skin infection tends to cover a significant part o the skin then one may also be required to consume some tablets for the same. Although the treatment for skin fungal infections are usually very effective, they are also known to have plenty of side effects in the form of an upset stomach or skin irritation which may differ from person to person. A fungal infection of the skin can be prevented by simply ensuring that one dries their skin well after bathing and also by wearing loose fitting underwear and cotton clothes as this will allow the skin to breathe. Similarly as a preventive measure, one should also ensure that they do not share hair brushes, towels, combs and also wash their clothes and bed linen often so as to get rid of any possible fungal spores. In order to prevent the fungal infection known as athletes foot, one should also ensure that they alternate their shoes every two to three days thereby giving the shoes sufficient time to dry out. Some of the most basic fungal skin infections are caused by dermatophytes which are a type of fungus that result in nail, hair and skin infections in individuals. Examples of these types of fungal infections include athletes foot which is caused by a combination of both bacteria as well as fungi resulting in the skin between the toes to become scaly, red and dry.

It may also be found on the sides of one’s fingers as well as the palms. Nail infections are also a type of fungal skin infections wherein the nails may thicken or become crumbly and malformed. This fungal skin infection may also affect ones fingernails. Another category of fungal skin infection are yeast infections which include thrush that is usually found in individuals that are suffering from diabetes, or are using antibiotics or are pregnant. In such cases the fungus Candida albicans tends to multiply excessively resulting in thrush. This fungal skin infection is known to affect the areas that are lined with a mucus membranes or have moist and folded skin such as ones vagina, tongue and mouth. A typical thrush fungal skin infection is observed in the form of small white patches that tend to leave a red mark when they are rubbed off. Mostly in adults, vaginal thrush infection is known to cause a white thick discharge as well as an itching sensation.