Fungal infections are no fun. They can take a long time to heal; when you have them, they’re often painful and unsightly. People struggle with common fungal infections like yeast infections, athlete’s foot, ringworm, etc.
Fungal infections, as the name implies, happen when some fungus grows on the skin. The growth is often red, swollen, itchy, or painful. Unfortunately, fungi reproduce via small spores that travel through the air. They land on your skin when you’re close to them. For example, you can catch a fungal infection by contacting someone infected or if you are comparable to them.
People with compromised immune systems are typically at increased risk of fungal infections. Taking antibiotics, being overweight, having high blood sugar levels, and other factors make it more likely to catch a fungal infection because your body lacks the resources to fight it.
Here’s some basic information about how fungal infections happen, symptoms, and treatments you can use to get rid of them.
How Fungal Infections Happen
If you’re working out in a gym or playing basketball on a team, you’re likely in proximity to other bodies that are sweating and breathing like you. If you rub your skin on theirs, there is a good chance you’ll catch a fungal infection.
It’s not so much that fungal infections are severe medical conditions, but they tend to be extremely contagious. They are also stubborn infections, and people struggle to get rid of them once they get infected. The ease at which fungal infections transmit from one person to another is a major reason why gyms, hospitals, and places like pools take them so seriously.
Excess moisture is one of the leading reasons why people get fungal infections. When you sweat or walk around in wet shoes after the rain, it’s easier for fungus to grow. Fungi need moisture to thrive. Wet areas are where mushrooms and infections grow.
How to Prevent Fungal Infections
Fungal infections are a nuisance. Some of them can be incredibly painful and life-altering. The good news is that you can do simple things to prevent infections and reduce the chances of getting a fungal infection.
Here are some things you should do:
Wear breathable fabrics and wipe away sweat whenever possible.
Dry yourself fully whenever you get out of the shower. Remember, fungal infections need moist areas to thrive, so you want to stay as dry as possible.
Bathe regularly
Wash and disinfect any clothing, sheets, and other material touched by someone with a fungal infection.
Wear slippers in public showers and avoid walking barefoot in crowded places.
Lose weight if you are overweight or obese.
Only take antibiotics when a doctor prescribes them.
Keep your blood sugar in a normal range.
Never share items like combs, brushes, towels, etc.
Following these guidelines will spare you a lot of headaches and trouble related to fungal infections. It requires discipline because all it takes is one slip-up, and you come in contact with spores in the air that trigger a condition on your skin.
Treatments for Fungal Infections
Usually, people treat fungal infections with topical creams to kill the fungus and return their skin to normal. They come in creams, but you can also find sprays, shampoo, and even powder for fungal infections.
Many treatments can be purchased over the counter at a local grocery store, pharmacy, or online. However, sometimes fungal infections require prescription medicines from a doctor. If you treat your fungal infection with topical creams you buy at the store, and it doesn’t work, schedule an appointment with a doctor to see what’s wrong. They may be able to correct the treatment method or give you something stronger.
Potential for Peptides with Fungal Infections
Peptides are short chains of amino acids that bind together to carry out specific functions in the body. Researchers have studied how to use peptides for health and wellness for decades. Collagen is a great example of a peptide that promotes skin elasticity that you’ll find in many popular skin care products.
Regarding peptides and fungal infections, the peptide PT-141 has been shown in animal models to regulate the skin and hair. It interacts with Melanocortin receptors like MC1R that affect pain perception, response, and response to anesthetics. It also, however, shows that it boosts certain immune functions in the body.
Conclusion
Finding ways to boost the immune system is an effective method of preventing fungal infections. If you can create a better response to when fungal spores arrive, your body will better fight them off.
