As the season changes, we experience new pleasant weather, and monsoons are no exception to it. Monsoons make you crave to sip hot coffee and tea and experience a snacky feeling that makes you grab munchies. The majority of us happen to enjoy the rainy weather. There are some health issues which can be unpleasant at times. This weather can wreak havoc on your skin, particularly if you are prone to chronic skin issues or dealing with one.
During this season, you need to take care of your skin, particularly in cases of flare-ups for ongoing skin problems. From skin rashes to fungal infections, rainy weather can cause many skin health issues. Some skin issues may crop up during monsoons. One of the common skin issues is fungal infection. Let’s get started to give you a sneak peek into fungal issues and how to treat them with homeopathy.
What is a Fungal Infection?
In simple words, fungal infection is a skin disease resulting from a fungus which is termed as mycosis. Fungal infection is a common skin disease that can affect anyone. It is a contagious infection. So, fungal infection may spread from a person to another individual.
Where does the fungal infection crop up from?
The fungus can be of any form, such as yeast or mold, and can be found anywhere from air, and water, to soil. But, the fungus is not limited to the external environment! Did you know that many fungi live naturally in the body which includes the mouth, intestinal tract, and skin? Yes, this fungus can sometimes overgrow causing skin flare-ups or oral infection in the mouth. This is mainly due to certain triggers which may lead to this issue.
Well, with so much fungus around, you do not need to worry about this! Some fungi are also safe and edible such as mushrooms. On the other hand, other fungi such as Aspergillus can be extremely dangerous or life-threatening.
I am sure you would like to know about the triggers of fungal infection which lead to overgrowth and flare-ups on skin. Let us explore the next part of the article: the causes and triggers of fungal infection.
Causes of fungal infections
The causes of fungal infections are as follows-
- ● Weakened immune system
● Skin injury
● Chronic health issues such as diabetes
● Certain long-term medications
● Hormonal imbalance particularly during menopause
Types of Fungal Infection
There are various types of fungal infections. Some of the common types of fungal infections are as follows-
1. Tinea Corporis
This is also called ringworm. It can occur in any part of the body with circular, red, and itchy patches on the skin. Tinea corporis is known as a fungal infection of the body and can spread extensively.
2. Tinea Pedis or Athlete’s foot
This is a common fungal infection of the feet which occurs between the toes. It occurs particularly when wearing damp footwear.
3. Tinea Cruris or Jock Itch
Fungal infection of the groin area, inner thighs, and buttocks is generally considered a jock itch. This leads to rash, redness, and itching of the skin.
4. Candidiasis
Candidiasis is mainly confined to the mouth, oral cavity, or genital area resulting in yeast infection.
5. Fungal Keratitis
Fungal infection may also affect the eyes, particularly the cornea of the eyes which may result in redness and itchy eyes which may also lead to vision problems.
6. Nail fungus or Onychomycosis
Fungal infection of the nails, which includes toenails and hand nails, causes thickening, pitting, chipping, and yellowish discoloration is called Onychomycosis.
7. Aspergillus
Aspergillus is a type of fungal infection affecting the lungs due to a weakened immune system. This may lead to cough and shortness of breath.
Symptoms of fungal infection
The symptoms of the fungal infection are as follows-
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● Itching skin
● Skin soreness with a rash
● Redness of skin
● Swollen and bumpy skin
● Dryness of the skin
● Uncontrolled itching may lead to bleeding
● Discolored skin with uneven skin tone
● Discolored nails (yellow, or brown)
● White coating in the mouth
● Burning while eating with a loss of taste
Preventive solutions for fungal infection
The preventive solutions for fungal infection are as follows-
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● Shower twice a day or maybe frequently after sweating
● Keep yourself dry and ensure that you wear clean clothes
● Maintain oral hygiene
● Keep your nails clean and short
● Avoid sharing personal items such as towels which may result in the spread of infections
● Do not self-medicate with over-the-counter antifungal solutions
● Avoid getting wet in the rain, in case of an active fungal infection
● Use medicated herbal solutions for hair and skin instead of harsh chemicals
● Maintain a healthy lifestyle with a regular diet, good hydration, and sound sleep
Best homeopathic treatment for fungal infections
Just preventive solutions and lifestyle changes are not enough to get rid of fungal infections. Along with taking care of the skin, one needs medicines focused on fungal infection to eliminate the fungi causing the skin issue. Let us not forget that fungal skin infections are recurrent. So, if you have been using antifungal and anti-allergic for itching, it’s time to end your dependency on such medicines.
The majority of us tend to choose anti-fungal creams or ointments over-the-counter to heal minor or mild infections. However, recurrent use of such creams may result in unpredictable flare-ups which may be difficult to control. If you have a chronic fungal infection, it’s time to switch over to homeopathy to reduce the frequency, duration, and intensity of the problem. This will prevent the dependency on the regular use of antifungals, thereby helping you taper it in the initial phase and gradually put an end to the fungal infection.
FAQs
How does a weakened immune system cause fungal infection?
A strong immune system can help prevent the recurrence of fungal infections. If you have a weakened immune system, you have a higher chance of recurrent fungal infection as your ability to fight fungal infection becomes low.
How long does a fungal infection take to heal with homeopathy?
Mild to moderate cases of fungal infection may experience better healing with homeopathy. However, in the case of severe fungal infections, it may take longer to eliminate the root cause of the problem by reducing the frequency, duration, severity, and antifungal drug dependency. Early detection and addressing the fungal infection at the initial stage with homeopathy helps in faster recovery.
Will fungal infection go away on its own?
The fungal infection won’t vanish all by itself. So, it needs treatment. Untreated fungal infection may cause spread, thereby leading to many skin complications. It is recommended not to self-medicate yourself with over-the-counter medications. Approaching the best doctor for fungal infection is a must for the best treatment of fungal infection.
Is it safe to take antifungals for the long term?
Taking long-term antifungals may cause you to develop resistance to them at some point. In such cases, there are higher chances of recurrent fungal infections which may cause more damage to the skin.
Conclusion
Monsoon can affect the skin and create multiple skin issues, if not taken care of at the right time. It is important to keep an eye on the common monsoon skin problems to protect your skin health. Of course, you must go ahead and enjoy the rain. But, it is important to be mindful of your skin before you do so!
