Treating Fungal Infections and Rashes

Posted by sanjay on Friday 20 Mar 2009

961

What are fungal infection and rashes?
Bacteria and fungi reside on the skin as well as inside the body. Certain types of fungi causes skin fungal infection. Normally these are neither serious nor contagious. However, if the infections are deep inside the body it could be dangerous. Details of fungal infections and rashes are discussed below.

Types of fungal infections and rashes
1. Tinea Cruris – this is also known by the alternate name jock itch; this normally occurs in the buttocks/ groin crease. The affected area will be red, itchy and inflamed. Apply on the affected area a non-prescription anti-fungal cream such as Micatin/ Lotrimin three times a day. Keep the area as well as the undergarments dry and clean.
2. Tinea Versicolor – these rashes commonly affect the chest and back in areas that are exposed to the sun. They look like a rash – flat, brownish and scaly. In dark people, this causes depigmentation. Apply selenium sulfide or Selsun shampoo for 2 weeks. You can also use 1% clotrimazole or 2% miconazole. Oral ingestion of ketoconazole is required for severe cases.
3. Ringworm – this looks circular and red and normally occurs in children; this can be treated with anti-fungal cream on OTC; apply thrice a day and keep the affected area dry and clean.
4. Athlete’s foot – these appear as an itchy red rash and commonly seen in web spaces or between two toes. Keep the area dry and clean and apply a non-prescription anti-fungal cream such as Micatin/ Lotrimin three times a day. Athlete’s foot is caused by wearing old socks and tennis shoes.
5. Fungal infections of the scalp – these are difficult to cure; use oral medicines such as Ketoconazole and Griseofulvin under doctor’s prescription.
6. Nail infections – these are called onychomycosis; the nails become thick, malformed and crumbly.

What are the symptoms of fungal infections?
This depends on the fungus type and the area affected on the body. The rash can either be red, itchy and scaly or look like dry skin. It can appear in one area or multiple areas on the body. If the infections occur in the beard or on the scalp, it might result in loss of hair. People sometimes mistake it for eczema or psoriasis.
What causes fungal infections and rashes?

The causes are as follows:
• Antibiotics side-effects
• Weakened immune system due to HIV/ cancer
• Taking steroids orally
• Diabetes
Moisture on the skin spurs fungal infections; hence you must keep your skin dry after bathing, heavy sweating or cover with sweat absorbing material. Skin surface damage or cut also causes growth of fungi. If your immune system does not work properly, you might be affected by internal fungal infections which are more harmful.

How to prevent fungal infections?
Take the following actions:
1. Diabetics should control their blood sugar level well.
2. Daily replacement of tights/socks.
3. Drying the skin completely after bath.
4. Use fabrics that breathe, e.g. cotton
5. Clothes and underwear should be loose.