Fungal infections conjure up a fair bit of repulsion on behalf of many people and with good reason––they're often difficult to treat and medication involves a long term treatment regimen. Infections of humans by fungal infections has is often a serious public health hazard, especially in places where humans congregate and are exposed to fungal spores, which are always present but are giving a helping hand by certain environments and when humans don't heed basic hygiene care. Preventing the spread of fungal infections requires attention to some fairly basic but often overlooked actions. Don't worry, even the kids can manage these steps!
Prevent the spread of athletes foot. Athletes foot is also known as "tinea". It is probably the most commonly known fungal infection and the one most likely to bother you at some point in your life. Signs of athletes foot include: whitened skin, skin cracks and peels easily, itchiness may be present, there may be an unpleasant odor and in severe cases, it can burn and sting. Ways to prevent its spread include:
Dry your feet thoroughly after swimming, bathing or showering, including between each toe. Feet dampness spreads this fungus easily.
Ensure that sweaty shoes are thoroughly dry before wearing again.
Avoid sharing socks, shoes or any other foot accessories used by others.
Wash and air all sports and walking shoes regularly. Ideally, have two pairs which you can alternate between while giving one pair a good rest and lots of air exposure.
Keep your shower and bath clean.
Do not urinate when in the shower or bath. This can weaken the skin's resistance to fungal infections.
Prevent nail or skin infections like ringworm. Ringworm isn't actually a worm although the name causes many people to assume such––it is simply a round rash that forms on the skin that has a scaly edge (perhaps a little like the edge of a worm) and a clear center. Ringworm can appear on your arms, legs, face, scalp, stomach and back. Fungal nail infections tend to discolor nails (turning them white, yellow or brown) and the nail can become thickened, brittle, crumbly or even deformed if left untreated. Ultimately, nails can drop off if the infection is severe and while most nails grow back, it can take a very long time. It is more common to see toenails infected (often due to athletes foot) than fingernails but both sets of nails are susceptible.
Keep your pets clean, regularly wormed and de-flea-ed and washed. Ringworm infection is often transferred from cats and dogs. If you think your pets might be infected, take them to the vet for a check-up.
Wear protective rubber gloves when working with soil or vegetable matter like leaves and fruit. Much of these fungal spores are present in soil, water and the atmosphere.
Don't scratch fungal infections––this will often spread the infection across your skin.
Prevent scalp infections. As already noted, it is possible to have ringworm on the scalp. Scalp infections tend to be more common in children than in adults.
Avoid sharing hair brushes, pillows, hair clips and other hair accessories used by others.
Ensure that pillow cases and sheets are washed at least once in two weeks (this is also important for killing dust mites and bacteria from your skin and mouth). Regular washing of the pillow cases and sheets will help you maintain clear and healthy looking skin––the build-up of germs you lie on aren't doing your skin any favors.
Don't share clothing. Any type of fungal infection can be spread through sharing clothing with an infected person (or from you if you're infected). This means declining offers to wear someone else's hat, shoes, t-shirt, etc. and not offering to share your clothing when you're experiencing a current infection. If you do need to share clothing (after all, something borrowed, something blue will inevitably come up for some of you), make sure it is cleaned properly or dry-cleaned before sharing.
Warnings
See your doctor immediately you have a fungal infection that does not get better after using medicines recommended by a pharmacist. Any infection that begins to weep, smell bad, turns red or becomes swollen should be checked out by a doctor.
Individuals with diabetes, HIV/AIDS and patients with debilitated immune systems need to be extra careful of fungal infections.
Any suspicious fungal infection should be checked and treated by a medical doctor.
If you're taking illegal drugs, you are at greater risk of infections due to the unhealthy practices of sharing needles and not cleaning equipment used to administer drugs. Seek help from a clinic able to dispense clean equipment and good advice.
Soaps and shampoos that are perfumed can aggravate an existing fungal infection.
BDST: 1559 HRS, MAR-06, 2016
Edited by: Sharmina Islam, Lifestyle Editor
