What is mycosis and how to cure it

They affect more in summer especially those who are overweight or diabetic. This is how they take care of themselves.

In summer they are more common and affect more those who are overweight or diabetic. They are the mycoses of the skin folds, fungal infections not to be underestimated. Here’s how to prevent and treat them.

They prefer women but do not disdain children and the elderly, who perhaps remain sweaty or wet longer or have reduced immune defenses.

We are talking about candidiasis, which affects the skin and manifests itself mainly in the folds of the body such as armpits, groin, breasts, elbows and knees, neck. Sometimes between your fingers and toes if you suffer from profuse sweating.

But the location of mycosis is subjective and depends on individual sensitivity to the fungus and the tendency to sweat more in certain areas of the body in particular.

The development of mycosis between the skin folds, a disorder that dermatologists call candida Intertrigo, is in fact favored by excessive sweating, obesity and diabetes, the presence of other skin diseases, for example contact dermatitis, the decrease in immune defenses and the use of antibiotics or deficiencies of ironzinccopper and vitamins.

What’s this about

Candida is a yeast, that is, a particular type of fungus, and is one of several living organisms, such as viruses, bacteria and microscopic fungi that colonize the body.

The most common is called Candida albicans, or whitish. This yeast is normally present in the mouth, intestines, vagina and skin just after birth and remains there for life.

If its presence is balanced, it has an important physiological role in the digestion of sugars. But if it proliferates too much due to a decrease in defenses due to diseases or immunosuppressive therapies or to an excess of sugars in the blood and intestine, or to a stagnation of moisture in the skin folds, it can cause the typical manifestations of candidiasis which are spots and itching.

Very common is diaper candidiasis, determined by the maceration of the skin due to the moisture present, due to the contact of the baby’s skin with the diaper. In adults, however, it manifests itself as intertrigo.

Recognize and care for it

Candida of the skin is manifested by the presence of an erythematous plaque with pustules and bubbles that macerate and ooze from moisture and friction.

It is itchy and it is not difficult to worsen the situation due to the irrepressible desire to scratch.

It is often found on the neck, breasts, groin, on the inside of elbows and knees, around the navel, between the fingers and toes (and in this case it is one of the manifestations of the so-called athlete’s foot) and finally between the buttocks, where it can cause severe itching and whitish marks around the anus.

To be sure of the presence of the fungus, it is necessary to examine the tissue taken from the lesions, considering, however, that Candida is physiologically present also in healthy tissues.

To make it go away, antifungals such as imidazoles are used, which are administered with local applications. These in addition to eliminating the fungus also help to remove inflammation itching and redness.

They are applied about 2-4 times a day, on the recommendation of the doctor or pharmacist and the treatment should be continued until the signs of the fungus disappear.

Help from nature

One of the common problems in those who are subject to skin mycoses is precisely that of relapses. In fact, the fungus tends to return periodically and especially in summer.

From nature come some remedies that have proven effective even when the fungus does not react well or no longer reacts to drugs. Let’s see them in detail.

Melaleuca oil Antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral action
St. John’s wort oil Anti-inflammatory and soothing action of the skin
Calendula oil Anti-inflammatory and soothing action of the skin
Chamomile oil Anti-inflammatory and soothing action of the skin
Lactic ferments Activity that favors the development of beneficial intestinal bacteria of the lactobacillus and bifidobacterium type
Dandelion and chicory Activity that helps reduce or control candida development
Lavender oil Antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral action
Rosemary oil Antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral action
Oregano oil Antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral action

Some benefit from eliminating sugar, milk and fermented cheeses from the diet.

Since mycoses are favored by a weakening of the immune system, a correct intake of micro and macro nutrients, salts and vitamins with the diet helps to prevent their development.

In summer, moreover, those who suffer from it should be able to keep the skin dry and clean even with the application of talc and zinc oxide powder. In fact, candidiasis proliferates better in conditions of humidity and poor hygiene.

On holiday

Hot sun, humidity, and communal living are the best friends of this mushroom. Hygiene in these cases is the best method to avoid proliferation and transmission from skin to skin.

If the edge of the pool is relatively safe, due to the fact that the water in the tub contains a lot of chlorine, showers and toilets are much less so.

So be careful never to go barefoot in the common bathrooms of swimming pools, campsites, villages and hotels.

When you do sports, you need to dry well with clean towels and wash towels, clothes and slippers used as soon as possible. In fact, sports bags create the ideal microclimate for the development of bacteria and fungi.

In summer, to prevent the development of mycosis, fabrics made of natural fibers such as cotton and linen and clothing that does not create compression, irritation or friction on the skin are preferred.

And finally it is always better to take all measures for protection from sunburn. Erythema from photoexposure, redness and blisters can create a substrate that predisposes the development of mycoses of the folds.

You may also be interested in the article Onychomycosis.

Joycelyn Elders is the author and creator of EmpowerEssence, a health and wellness blog. Elders is a respected public health advocate and pediatrician dedicated to promoting general health and well-being.

The blog covers a wide range of topics related to health and wellness, with articles organized into several categories.

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