FUNGAL INFECTION ON SKIN CAUSES AND TREATMENT

FUNGAL INFECTION ON SKIN

Fungal infections on skin are common these days. In fact, a lot of people suffer from these fungal infections on skin but they do not know how to treat it correctly which makes it come back, again and again. It is important to understand the causes of fungal infection, precautions to be taken and effective treatment options.  Fungal infection on skin has several common symptoms. Shingles, itching, darkening and bumps are common. This infection occurs in the folds and corners of the body such as between the toes and in the inner thighs. This is how infections such as jock itch and athlete’s feet as well as ringworm namely, occur.  Fungus is present on everyone’s body and our entire surrounding environment as well. They are increasingly becoming a public health hazard.

FUNGAL INFECTION ON SKIN

FUNGAL INFECTION CAUSES

There are many reason for sudden increase in case of fungal infection on skin: urbanization, overcrowding, increased humidity, long commute, use of steroid creams, non compliance to treatment leading to resistant strains. The commonly seen fungal infections of skin are caused by dermatophytes. These fungi are skin loving and break the top layer of skin to derive nutrition for survival. They occur in areas where there is water logging or sweat logging such as body folds in groin area, armpit, in buttock area and under the breast in women. They appear as round, lesions with scaling. They are itchy and cause significant discomfort. They may become red and even causes burning sensation and irritation. Fungus mainly spreads in four different ways

1.     Human to human contact
2.      Infected animal to human close contact
3.    Object to humans such as with towel, bedding, bed sheets, shoes, socks, comb, brushes and soaps.
4.     Soil to human infection

Taking long term oral antibiotics and contraceptive pills are some drugs that worsen it. These conditions and medicines suppress anti fungal medication which makes such infections persist.

TREATMENT OF FUNGAL INFECTION

 Treatment of fungal infection on skin is as simple as its diagnosis. Treatment is divided into two parts first drugs, tropical creams, and oral medications. Secondly personal hygiene and working on preventing the recurrence of infection. The medical line of treatment has topical medicines. Patients can use creams, ointments, lotions, gels shampoos, and powder prescribed to them depending on the site of infection and extent of infection.  An oral anti fungal agent is another line of treatment. Mainly, oral anti fungal drugs are reserved for those patients who are unresponsive to topical anti fungal injections. After the treatment, you have to maintain hygiene to prevent it from spreading and worsening again. Personal hygiene maintaining cleanliness and dryness is required also stay away from people with fungal infections such as colleagues, schoolmates and even infected pets.

IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER IF YOU HAVE FUNGAL INFECTION ON SKIN

• ·        Take bath daily, twice a day if possible.
• ·        Use a shower gel for bathing.
• ·        If you use soap, use a small soap that can be discarded weekly.
• ·        Dry yourself with a thin towel.
• ·        Towels need to be washed and ironed every day.
• ·        Iron your undergarments, belt area of trousers before wearing.
• ·        Wear loose cotton clothing.
• ·         If you work in gym, make sure your clothes are sweating absorbent.
• ·        Take bath as soon as you finish your exercise and wash the attire daily.
• ·        All our clothes have to be washed separately and sun dried.
• ·        Apply creams on the lesions and 2 cm area beyond the margin keep nails short.
• ·        Do not scratch the lesion
• ·        If you inadvertently scratch, wash your hands immediately.