Skin Fungal Infection: Possible Symptoms And Home Treatments

Fungal Infections And Symptoms

Fungal growth and infection on the skin can be difficult to distinguish from other dermatological conditions like allergies and rashes. The common symptoms of skin fungus are localized itching, inflammation, flaking, roughness and discoloration that may gradually spread if the condition is left untreated. Athlete’s foot, tinea versicolor, jock itch, candidiasis, and ringworm are among the most common forms of fungal skin infections. The main reason behind this problem is the lack of proper personal hygiene, leading to the accumulation of sweat and dirt in the folds of the skin. Also, close physical contact with an already infected person or sharing articles like towels and combs with them at gyms or locker rooms may also lead to the transmission of fungi. Fungi grow best in warm and moist environments. Thus, it is essential that you bathe regularly and take special care to wash those areas of the skin where sweat and dirt tend to get accumulated, namely, the underarms, waist and inner thighs. It is also a good idea to exfoliate your skin at regular intervals in order to reduce the chances of fungal growth and infection. Also, make sure that you wipe your skin dry after playing active sports or exercising at a gym, as it is the presence of humidity that allows fungi to breed. Using anti-microbial talcum powder is an easy and effective means of ensuring that your skin does not become excessively damp and therefore vulnerable to fungal attack. It is also advisable to put on fresh, dry clothes after exercising or swimming. Wearing natural fabrics instead of tight-fitting synthetic garments, especially during the hot and humid summer season, is also recommended.

Fungal Treatment And Preventive Steps

In addition to these preventive measures, you may also follow a few simple home remedies to treat fungal skin infections. If yeasts have caused the infection, you should wash the affected area with some apple cider vinegar thrice a day. Topical application of a mixture of aloe vera extract and vitamin E oil also helps reduce the itching and roughness on the skin caused by fungal growth. For another remedy, crush a few cloves of raw garlic and smear their juice on the infected portion of the skin. The strong chemicals present in the pungent juice of garlic destroy fungi and treat the infection naturally. You should also consume a small bowl of unsweetened homemade yogurt as well as massage the affected area with yogurt twice every day to cure the infection.