Fungal infections can affect anyone, nearly everyone gets in once in their lifetime, around a billion people are estimated to have skin, nail and hair fungal infections, Low immunity and skin resistance are some of the many causes
If you have a Fungal infection you might suffer from one or more of the following symptoms -
- Irritation
- Scaly skin
- Redness
- Itching
- Swelling
- Blisters
Causes of Fungal Infections:
- Living in an unclean environment and not maintaining personal hygiene can cause fungal infections.
- Wearing dirty clothes like unclean socks and innerwear can lead to fungal infections.
- Stress can compromise our immunity further leading to fungal infections.
- Hot and humid climate, hot and humid body area like thigh, groin, back.
- Sweating too much or wearing damp clothes can result in the development of fungal infections - Wearing clothes that are too tight can cause sweating.
- Compromised immunity due to underlying diseases like diabetes, cancer HIV.
- Obesity can lead to fungal infections. Sweat gets accumulated in skin folds which may lead to infection.
- Hormonal changes in pregnancy, PCOS can lead to vaginal infections.
- Eating too much sugar – fungus loves to feed on sugar
- Taking antibiotics – can cause an unbalance in the good skin bacteria which can cause the normal fungus (some are already present on the skin in less number) (skin microbiome) to overgrow and cause infection
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Nature cure for fungal infection –
1. Natural or holistic treatment aims to get at the root of the problem. Curing an unhealthy lifestyle is the foundation in curing any disease
2. Cure constipation, get deep sleep daily for 7 – 8 hours, Drink 2- 3 L of water daily, reduce stress and anxiety
3. Fasting – Balances blood sugar levels, reduce obesity, cleanses the intestine and helps in getting rid of toxins, reduces inflammation Therapeutic fasting/ detox to be done under Naturopathy physician’s guidance
4. Sunlight bath - helps in optimizing Vit D inside the body and also a strong antifungal agent, make sure to get 10 to 15 minutes of sunlight daily with ideally in the early morning or late evening.
5. Add 3 tablespoon of Epsom salt into bathing water daily
For skin application, you can use any one of the following -
- Tea tree/oregano oil - Mix tea tree/oregano essential oil in coconut oil or olive oil (1:1)and apply over the infected area about three to four times a day. Use over the skin three times a day (Most effective)
Continue using it for 3 months
- Apple cider vinegar rinse - Dilute apple cider vinegar with water at a ratio of 1:1 and use it apply to the affected area once a day. Do not use if the skin is cut (it will burn)
- Aloe vera - applied externally and taken internally, aloe vera is very soothing to the body, especially to the digestive system and skin.
- Turmeric - Mix with a little water or rice water and apply over the infected area.
- Garlic - Crush a couple of garlic with some olive oil and make a paste. Apply to the infected area for about thirty minutes.
- Neem – Grind few neem leaves with water and make a thick paste – apply on the affected area for 20 minutes and then rinse, you can also add neem leaves into bathing water
Things to include in your diet
- Eat lots of raw vegetables and fruits
Eating a diet of raw food with plenty of vegetables and non-citrus fruit. These, alongside good fats and oils, plus pre-soaked or fermented whole grains, nuts and legumes, (rich in vitamins A, B-complex and D, plus calcium, magnesium and zinc), are all important in helping reduce symptoms. Opt for fresh, seasonal, local produce, organic if you can.
- Take an overall alkaline diet – aloe vera juice, wheatgrass.
- Turmeric- Turmeric has shown great potential in scientific studies supporting the reduction of inflammation, use in soups, sprinkled over fruit salads, golden milk (with plant milk as the base). Drink ginger and turmeric tea daily
- Probiotics - A healthy skin starts from a healthy gut. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that are present in fermented foods. Having the right balance of bacteria in the body may help the immune system.
- Omega 3 Fatty acids- Present abundantly in natural nuts and seeds like flax seeds, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, almonds, pistachio, etc (Omega - 3 can fight inflammation as well as help your immune system.)
- High-fiber foods – Oats, Millets, Sprouts, Vegetables, and fruits to balance blood sugar levels
Things to exclude –
- Sugar – All forms of syrups, cola, soda, high glycaemic foods
- No Junk Food
Eliminate all junk food from your diet. Avoid processed food, white flour, sugar, artificial sweeteners and preservatives
- Avoid Dairy and dairy products
Milk, cheese, eggs, meat and poultry
- Deep-fried, oily and spicy foods.
You can also follow certain precautions to prevent or treat fungal infections like:
- Always wear clean clothes
- Treat everyone around with the infection around at the same time (family or friends)
- Treat your pets also if they have, they can be a potential source for your recurrent problem
- Wash workout wear right after you exercise.
- Put on clean workout clothes before every workout
- Avoid wearing clothes that are too tight. Prefer cotton clothes
- Avoid scratching the affected area as it can worsen the infection and also increase the chances of spreading
- Keep your comb, towel and other linen separate to avoid contact spreading to other people
- Take regular bath
Keep the affected area as dry as possible
When to visit a doctor for fungal infections?
- Pregnant women
- People suffering from diabetes
- Fungal infection is along with fever or discharge of pus
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Conclusion - Fungal infections should be treated for at least 3 months even if the symptoms go away because if you will not treat them properly, they will come back. It is a massive skin problem with people suffering for years without a proper cure, itching usually makes people embarrassing socially. Home remedies are most of the time very effective in combating recurrent fungal infection.
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Disclaimer: The health journeys, blogs, videos and all other content on Wellcure is for educational purposes only and is not to be considered a ‘medical advice’ ‘prescription’ or a ‘cure’ for diseases. Any specific changes by users, in medication, food & lifestyle, must be done under the guidance of licensed health practitioners. The views expressed by the users are their personal views and Wellcure claims no responsibility for them.
Dr. Stuti Gupta
02:11 PM | 15-02-2021
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