Skin fungal infections are one of the most common skin problems that often arise, especially in humid and warm conditions. Although usually not harmful, these infections can still cause discomfort and interfere with our daily activities! Fungi can grow in various situations such as water, soil, air, and other organisms. If we get infected, the fungus can grow and spread on our skin to cause infection. Even worse, this disease can be contagious!
Instead of getting worse, it’s better to know the causes, ways to overcome and prevent as well as various types of skin fungus in depth. Let’s take a few minutes to read all the way through, Sereni-Trees!
4 Causes of Skin Fungal Infections
Let’s get to the root of the problem, which is why mold grows on our skin. What are the contributing factors?
- Poor Body Hygiene
Skin fungal infections often stem from poor hygiene. When we don’t clean our bodies regularly, sweat and dirt can become breeding grounds for fungi. Therefore, keeping your body clean by showering regularly and using soap is an important first step.
You can try Serenitree natural body wash, safe for all skin types without chemical additives!
- Warm and Humid Environment
Situations and weather such as the tropics or during summer tend to be ideal places for mold to grow. Skin folds such as thigh creases and underarms are more vulnerable due to high humidity. Drying these areas well and avoiding wet clothing can help prevent infection.
- Tight Clothing and Sweaty Activities
Tight clothing can irritate the skin and create moist conditions between skin folds. Physical activities that make us sweat can also trigger mold growth.
Therefore, don’t forget to wear loose clothing and materials that can absorb sweat!
- Contact with Patients or Contaminated Objects
Skin fungal infections can be transmitted through direct contact with an infected person or through objects contaminated with the fungus. It is therefore important to avoid sharing clothes, towels, or other personal items.
Wow, it turns out that there are quite a lot of culprits for this skin fungus! Not to mention the types are no less numerous. Each type of fungus has different causative factors too. Make sure to read more on the explanation after this!
Types of Skin Fungal Infections
Everyone from children to adults can get skin fungus if they don’t avoid the cause properly. Moreover, this fungus can grow not only on the skin but in areas such as nails and mucous membranes too! Here are the 4 most common infections and their symptoms:
- Dermatophytosis (Ringworm)
Dermatophytosis, better known as ringworm, is the most common type of fungal skin infection. It can grow and develop from proteins in the nails, skin, or hair.
Typically, the symptoms of infection will appear as itchy and scaly red patches. Ringworm can appear on various parts of the body, including the scalp, nails, and the entire body.
As the name implies, ringworm is a fungal infection that occurs in the foot area, especially between the toes. This infection often occurs due to high humidity in the shoes. That’s why, athletes who often wear shoes and are exposed to tools or footwear in public places such as gyms and swimming pools are usually susceptible to this infection.
Symptoms include cracked skin, redness, and intense itching.
- Tinea Cruris (Ringworm of the Groin)
Tinea cruris or groin ringworm is a type of infection that appears in the groin area and thigh folds. This infection generally occurs in men who often wear tight pants and warm and humid temperatures.
Symptoms include patches of red rash with well-defined borders, scaling, and itching.
- Skin Candidiasis
Candida fungi are the main source of skin candidiasis. This infection appears in moist skin areas such as under the breasts, abdominal folds, or thigh creases. Fortunately, this infection is not contagious, but it is still uncomfortable as symptoms include redness, wetness, itching, and sometimes pain.
- Onychomycosis (Nail Fungus)
This fungus can grow on any area of the nail, but it is more common to infect toenails. Symptoms that we should look out for include thickening and discoloration of the nails, including brittleness of the nails.
How scary is that, Sereni-Trees? Can you imagine going about your daily activities with itching or burning skin? Not to mention our appearance can be affected! But don’t worry, there are ways to prevent and treat it!
How to treat and prevent skin fungal infections
Want your skin and nails to be free from fungal infections? We can start by keeping our skin and surroundings clean. For example, you should shower twice a day and dry well afterward. You should also clean your living areas such as your room, bathroom, etc. regularly. Make sure to keep them dry!
It doesn’t stop there, we should wear clothes that are not too tight and always clean! Try to choose materials that can “breathe” so that air can circulate well on the surface of the skin. Avoid clothes that are too tight or made from synthetic materials.
After that, every time you do strenuous activities or sweat, always wipe off the sweat and change your clothes. Wet and dirty clothes that stick to the body can create the right environment for mold to grow. So, we need to make sure everything is clean and dry!
But if Sereni-Trees has already developed a mild skin fungal infection, the first step can be to use a topical antifungal medication. These can be found at your nearest pharmacy! If the infection doesn’t get better or even worse, we highly recommend you consult a dermatologist.
Can Body Care Solve the Problem of Skin Fungal Infections?
Although Serenitree body wash is very good for cleansing and moisturizing the body, it CANNOT solve skin problems!
Perhaps as a support to maintain a healthy body and prevent skin problems, it is true, but if an infection has occurred, the solution must use a special medicine. Therefore, Serenitree always encourages you to consult a professional immediately so that the diagnosis is correct and you can get a quick treatment.
To prevent this from happening, we should take the initiative to prevent it by doing the Serenitree tips above. Always prioritize your health first, Sereni-Trees!