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Fungal Disease Deaths Doubled Since Last Count, Said Lancet: Here's Common Fungal Diseases And Prevention Tips
Rate of infections has been increasing over the period of time. It is assumed that most of the infections, especially fungal give threatening complications. This is because rate of fungal infections comparatively higher than other infections. Also it does look ugly making people more concerned about their situation. In this last COVID phase, we have witnessed black fungus, white fungus, and other cases of fungal infections rising. However they were present before but COVID's impact on our immunity created an easy passage for them spread infection. Today we will have a look at different types of fungal infection which may cause health complications.
Common Examples of Fungal InfectionsHere are some common examples of fungal infections, which are either contagious or non contagious.
This is one of the most common fungal infections when it comes to rate of infection. Athlete's foot is called tinea pedis originally. As the name suggests it is widely associated with athletes, not just because it is happens only to them, but because this infection spreads because of humidity between toes. People who wear tight shoes for long hours during the day could be affected with this fungal problem which might grow if proper ointment is not applied.
Fungal infection tine pedis occurs in hands and nails, it is particularly associated with higher risk of people that get more sweat and wear shoes for long period of time. You may however also catch this infection from contaminated surface, in a public locker room, or because of using someone else's shoes.
Symptoms-
Another fungal infection which is rather kept a secret is jock itch. This it caused in your groin region, and between your inner thighs and buttocks. Jock itch is similar to athlete's foot as it is also caused because of dermatophytes. It is a group of fungi which penetrate in warm and humid area and mostly affect men more than women. Usually over the counter medications are given to people to get rid of this fungal infection. They consist of anti-fungal creams and powders etc.
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Symptoms of this fungal infection include-
This is a much serious infection which might cause complications if not given attention. Ringworm is a fungal infection that affects your skin at a higher rate. These infections can grow on the part of your body which remains humid at most times. It affects different parts of the body such as neck, feet, arms, etc. Ringworm infection is a skin infection that gives redness and itchiness over the period of time. You would be given anti-fungal medication, creams, gels and ointments to cure this fungal infection.
Symptoms of Ringworm Infection
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4. Yeast infectionIt is a common problem which occurs to women at majority of occasions. Candida albicans is the fungus which grows inside the skin, urinary tract, genital areas and gastrointestinal tract. Yeast infections in women are known to grow at rapid rate in adequate conditions and can prove to be very problematic to health. There is a fact with yeast infection, it is usually present in small amount with majority of women population but if the hygiene is not taken care of, it multiplies rapidly.
Symptoms of yeast infection-
You may have noticed a fluid formation in the side of your nails at some point in your life. This is related to that fungal infection. Since it does not have a major affect on your health, most people neglect it. But toenail infection can spread to other nails and cause difficulty in movement and cause serious infection. It is usually located that toenails, fingernails, and nail beds. This fungal infection is named as tinea unguium.
It usually starts from a small fluid build-up in the nail. It can be in the form of light spots, as the fungus grows and infects your nails deeper, then it changes shape and colour of your nails. Sometimes carelessness can make this infection grow deeper and lead your nails to become brittle and thicker.
Symptoms of Toenail Fungal Infection
Dr Batra listed lifestyle changes that you should follow to manage fungal infections as follows:
Dr Batra concluded, "In an increasingly interconnected world, there is a growing threat of fungal diseases. By following these preventative measures, individuals can safeguard themselves and their communities. To achieve this, get the care you need from a licensed homoeopathy and listen to their advice."
[Disclaimer: This article contains information provided by a registered healthcare professional and is for informational purposes only. Hence, we advise you to not substitute this information with medical treatment and consult your expert for a treatment tailored to your needs.]
What You Need To Know About Nail Fungal Infection
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Nail fungal infections include onychomycosis and tinea unguium. Oral or topical medications and home remedies, such as applying Vicks, may help manage nail fungal infections.
Fungus is typically present on the body, but overgrowth can lead to a fungal infection.
Nail fungal infections are the most common diseases of the nails, making up about 50% of nail abnormalities.
Both fingernails and toenails are susceptible to infection, which usually appears as discoloration and thickening of the nail, and crumbling edges. The condition most commonly occurs in toenails.
Around 10 percent of the adult population suffers from nail fungus infection. Here we will provide an overview of nail fungal infections, in addition to common causes, treatments, and symptoms.
Treating nail fungus infections can be a long and expensive process. There are oral antifungal medications, topical ointments, and alternative therapies. Over the counter creams and ointments are available, but they have not proved very effective.
Oral medications for nail fungus infection include:
These typically take up to 4 months before fully replacing the infected nail with uninfected nail.
In some extreme cases, a physician will opt to remove the entire nail.
Topical nail fungus treatments can appear clear nail fungal infections, but often do not completely cure the infection.
Other home remedies shown to have potentially promising clinical effects on nail fungus include:
Other alternative medicines used to treat nail fungal infections include Australian tea tree oil, vinegar, listerine, and grapefruit seed extract. However, there is no scientific evidence supporting the use of these products.
PreventionPreventing nail fungus infections requires hand and foot hygiene. Some suggestions include:
Microscopic organisms called fungi cause nail fungal infections; they do not require sunlight to survive so can thrive in these areas.
Most commonly, a group of fungi called dermatophytes (such as Candida) is responsible for nail fungal infections. However, some yeasts and molds also cause these infections; these include:
Common mold causes include:
Pathogens that cause nail fungus infection usually enter the skin through tiny cuts or small separations between the nail and nail bed. The fungi grow when the nail provides a suitably warm and moist environment.
Anyone can get a fungal nail infection, but they are more common in men than women and the elderly than the young. Some additional traits or factors raise the risk of nail fungal infection, these include:
Older adults are the most at risk of nail fungus infections as lower blood circulation and slower growing nails are part of the natural aging process.
Nails that are infected with fungus typically are:
There may be also be:
Nail fungal infections can result in pain in the toes or fingertips, and they may even emit a foul odor.
Another symptom associated with nail fungus infections are fungus-free skin lesions called dermatophytids. These may appear like rashes or itchiness in an area of the body that is not infected with the fungus – much like an allergic reaction.
In order to diagnose nail fungus infections, a doctor will usually examine debris that is scraped from underneath the nail. The nail scrapings will be used in tests, such as a potassium hydroxide (KOH) smear, or a fungal culture. The KOH test can be quickly performed, while the fungal culture can take weeks.
Physicians must be careful when diagnosing fungal infections of the nail because several other conditions can result in similar symptoms. These include psoriasis, lichen planus, contact dermatitis, trauma, nail bed tumor, eczema, and yellow nail syndrome.
Patients with diabetes are susceptible to complications and should consult their doctor; however, fungal nail infections usually have a good prognosis if treated promptly. Although they are unpleasant or irritating, most nail fungal infections can be treated successfully without complications after treatment.
The treatment can take a long time to fully cure the infection, and may require additional rounds of treatment. Complications in some extreme cases may include nail damage or permanent loss, or spread of the infection. There is also a small chance of developing cellulitis.
Some of the treatments and home remedies listed in this article are available for purchase online. Speak to a doctor before trying a new treatment.
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