Fungal infections are never fun, but they’re relatively common. With the proper treatment protocol, you can heal your infection and return your skin to normal in days. However, infections that fester and are left untreated can spread and become severe health hazards. In some instances, fungal infections require medical or surgical intervention.
The good news is that getting rid of a fungal skin infection is typically easy. As long as you know what to look for and when to seek medical help, you should avoid any significant issues with your skin. When in doubt, consult a medical professional to diagnose the infection and get the best possible treatments.
Many of the steps you take to prevent fungal infections help cure them. Keeping the area clean and dry is essential to a fast recovery. Here are some other tips to spot infections quickly and get rid of them before they become painful and get in your way.
What Are the Signs of Fungal Skin Infection?
Millions of fungi live on plants, your skin, and other places around you. People come in contact with fungi almost daily, but frequent contact or a weak immune system leads to problematic infections that are irritating and contagious. Here are some of the common signs of fungal infection:
Irritation on the skin
Red areas
Scaly skin
Itchiness
Blistering
Discoloration of the skin
These are some of the main symptoms of a fungal infection.
Common Types of Fungal Infections
Most fungal infections are fairly benign. They cause discomfort, but they’re not painful enough to send someone to the emergency room. Typically, they itch and bother people until they decide to do something about it. Most people want to get rid of fungal infections because they look unsightly. So if you have a fungal infection in an obvious place, like the forearm or face, it’s normal to want to find a fast cure.
Most people encounter fungal infections like ringworm and athlete’s foot. Minor cases of these infections cause itchiness, some swelling, and red skin. As they grow, however, they can become painful.
One of the main challenges with getting rid of these fungal skin infections is they’re very contagious. They spread easily through skin-on-skin contact, and they’re common in places like gyms and locker rooms where people walk around barefoot or come in close contact with each other. Learn more about fungal skin infection and its precautions on this dedicated website: https://mysqmclub.com/.
How to Treat Fungal Infections
Once you or someone you know has a fungal infection, how do you get rid of it?
The first thing you should do is avoid contact with other people. Hopefully, you can guarantee the fungal infection will stop with you. Then, do your best to keep the infected area clean and dry. Always wear clean clothing after a shower, and frequently bathe to reduce the infection. Finally, purchase an anti-fungal cream or medicine for the specific fungal infection on your skin.
Most fungal infection treatments are readily available online or at your local pharmacy. Many grocery stores also carry basic anti-fungal medicines. Typically, you apply the ointment or medicine for a few days, and it will gradually disappear.
If the symptoms persist, you should contact a medical professional. Dermatologists treat skin conditions, and they can diagnose the infection and prescribe a more effective treatment method.
Preventing Reinfection
Unfortunately, some people struggle with chronic fungal skin infections. Either they are in frequent contact with fungi, or their habits or living conditions are conducive to infections.
In either case, staying clean and bathing regularly are keys to preventing reinfection. You can also practice better hygiene by wearing slippers in public showers, washing after exercise, and laundering clothes frequently.
Typically, fungi thrive in moist conditions, so do your best to stay dry. In addition, changing your socks regularly and getting out of sweaty clothes sooner will help reduce the chances of infection.
Peptides and Fungal Infections
Peptides are short chains of amino acids that facilitate specific bodily responses. They’re similar to proteins, but peptides have smaller amino acid chains and usually simpler functions. Research in animal models shows that certain peptides promote better immune responses to certain diseases, including fungal infections.
One peptide, PT-141, binds to the MC5R melanocortin receptor, which is found primarily on skin cells, red blood cells, and fat cells. The MC5R controls sebum production on the skin and the inflammatory response to things like infections. By stimulating the MC5R receptor with PT-141, animal models showed decreased inflammation levels and healthier skin. It also demonstrated benefits in animals when treating other conditions like diabetes, arthritis, and ulcerative colitis.