Skin Fungus and Solutions

Skin Fungus and Solutions

Among the different skin fungus infections, athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that occurs on the foot and is common. The fungal infection in any skin area will lead to peeling of the skin. The skin will become red and there will be itching and burning sensations as well as the development of sores and blisters. While these symptoms are common for all kinds of fungal infections, the causes can be several. What are the different causes and symptoms and how to treat them safely at home is discussed in the subsequent sections.

Causes Of Skin Fungus

Skin fungal infections are common types of infections that can occur from such pathogens breeding in moist and warm environments:
•    The fungus grows in shoes, socks which are left unclean and sodden
•    The fungal infection can come from public areas like lockers rooms, swimming pools and public showers
•    The microscopic fungus that is found living on dead tissues of toenails, hair and outer skin layers cause the fungal infections
•    Athlete’s foot is a form of fungal infection of the skin which can be caused by four different types of fungi among which trichophyton rub rum is most common.
•    Shoes which accumulate sweat, dirt and bacteria and are worn for long periods of time without washing can cause such infections.

Symptoms Of Skin Fungus

While skin fungus may be caused by different environments and different types of fungi the signs or the symptoms of such infections are common:
•    The skin of the feet peels, cracks or scales off
•    Redness occurs on the skin as well as blister formation
•    The skin tends to soften and breakdown
•    There could be itching and burning
It is to be noted that skin fungus causes infections that are highly contagious. Thus, it can easily be transmitted from one person to another. The infected area needs to be treated or else it will spread to other areas of the body and cause complications. The different kinds of skin fungal infections like Jock itch, ringworm, athlete’s foot can be cured or prevented by taking note of the effective home remedies available.

Home Remedies For Skin Fungus

1.    Proper Cleaning Routine

We often do not give adequate attention to the feet or clean it properly. It is necessary to:
•    Wash feet thoroughly with soap
•    It should be scrubbed or exfoliated from time to time to remove the dead skin cells.
Such regular cleaning rituals will keep the skin on the feet healthy and not allow bacteria to develop on it.

2.    Keep The Feet And Shoes Dry

It is imperative that one maintains cleanliness and dryness of the feet and shoes:
•    One should not wear shoes with wet feet
•    The feet should be dried thoroughly after bath or washing
•    If shoes are wet, they should be dried out properly before they are worn

3.    Use Of Apple Cider Vinegar

If one has ringworm they can make use of apple cider vinegar and its antiseptic properties:
•    The affected area should be cleansed with antiseptic soap first
•    Apple cider vinegar should be applied on the affected area with a soft cotton ball
•    The affected area should be massaged gently

4.    Use Of Nail Polish

A common home remedy to get rid of skin fungus is to use nail polish remover or nail polish on it:
•    If the fungus has affected the nails putting nail polish on it will kill the fungus and dry out the area
•    The acetylene content in the nail polish does the trick

5.    Do Not Wear Footwear For Long

If you tend to sweat or are active all day long, you need to remove the footwear often:
•    It will help to dry out the seat
•    It will reduce chances of fungal infection coming on

6.    Apply Powder

If one is repeating the same pair of socks and shoes they need to:
•    Apply baby powder in the shoes and the socks
•    That will keep the moisture out and reduce chances of infection

7.    Keep An Eye Out For Telltale Signs

It is hard to recognize the symptoms of fungal infection. One needs to keep an eye out for the first signs as the skin infection caused by fungi is contagious:
•    Crusty skin layer forms on the top of feet
•    Small rashes might develop which might itch

8.    Do Not Wear Tight Fitting Clothes Or Shoes

When one has fungal infection they should resort to:
•    Loose clothing that allow the air movement
•    Comfortable fitted shoes should be worn to prevent aggravation of the infected areas

9.    Tea Tree Oil

This is known to be an effective cure for fungal infections. It can be used in the form of:
•    Ointment on the affected area
•    The oil can be mixed with a carrier oil and then applied on the affected area

10.    Preventing Skin Fungus On The Back

If you tend to sweat a lot you need to:
•    Change the sweaty clothes
•    Scrub the skin thoroughly when taking bath