Yeast Infections – Symptoms, Causes and Home Remedies
Some fungi can be found on and in the human body, certain conditions can trigger them and cause problems, but overall they serve their purpose. [what it was designed to do] without ever making a person sick or causing discomfort.
The most common fungal infections
* ringworm – a round ring-shaped infection that is highly infectious [can cross infect from person to person]usually found on all skin surfaces but can also infect nails [as tinea]. It starts slowly, but if left untreated it can infect the entire surface of the body, causing it to be very itchy and uncomfortable.
* Athlete’s foot/foot: Infects mainly between the toes, but can also be found on the sides of the feet or in and around the toenails.
Candida – mainly infects moist areas of the body [groin and upper thighs] but it has also been known to infect the toenails. This fungus is also known as thrush and can cause diaper rash. [on babies] and vaginal infections [in women]
Jock itch – The upper thighs and groin area are the main areas infected with this fungus
some symptoms
redness
itch
dryness
cracked skin
inflamed skin
raised bumps
sensation of burning
smelly discharge
Hair loss
The symptoms depend on the area that the fungus has infected. [you will not lose your hair if you have athletes feet for example]infection care should be started as soon as possible to prevent further infection and cross infection [ringworm, athletes foot etc].
Causes
* Athlete’s foot – wearing dirty socks [or sharing with an infected person]using public showers or swimming pools, not drying between your toes and having very sweaty and wet feet that are not taken care of.
* Jock Itch – Poor personal hygiene in that area could cause this [as well as thrush]. Wearing dirty underwear and having a very sweaty muzzle also contribute to this problem.
* Candida: a form of thrush that infects moist areas, poor personal hygiene, and wearing dirty underwear [diapers in the case of babies with nappy rash] They are also a trigger for this problem.
*tub [also know as tinea] – It is usually transmitted from one infected animal or person to another by physical contact. This fungus is very contagious and good personal hygiene and avoiding infected animals or people are very important.
Antibiotics, a poor diet, diabetes, cancer, and some other serious illnesses can also make people susceptible to a fungal infection; this is because the sick person already has a weakened immune system.
Home remedies
* yogurt – applied as a topical treatment to the infected area [must be fungal] or taken as food for an internal infection [vaginal infection]
* apple cider vinegar – applied as a topical ointment for skin infections [must be fungal]
* aloe – applied as an ointment alone or mixed with olive oil to the fungus-infected area
* vitamin E oil – mixed with baby oil and aloe, applied topically to yeast infection
* tea tree oil – applied topically to fungus-infected areas
* garlic – apply raw garlic to the area, avoid sensitive areas for this treatment, it may smell bad but it works
Remember to eat right and drink plenty of fluids at this time, this will help the immune system fight the fungal infection.
Over-the-counter medications will also help clear up the infection, if no noticeable change has occurred after a few days, see your doctor for a diagnosis and the prescribed medication or treatment for the condition.