Don't worry if your skin is infected with fungus or ringworm such as Tinea corporis or Tinea pedis. Despite their annoying appearance and often itching, most yeast infections are usually easy to treat. The two main types of treatment are antifungal creams that are applied directly to the area of infection, and oral or oral medications. You should keep your skin clean while treating a yeast infection. After consulting with your doctor first, you can also try some natural remedies to speed up healing of skin infections with medical treatment.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Treating Infections with Medication
Step 1. Watch for rashes, dry skin, and other symptoms of yeast infection
Most cases of yeast infection are accompanied by symptoms that cause the infected skin to peel, dry out, and turn red. Most yeast infections are also itchy and uncomfortable. Meanwhile, some yeast rashes, such as vaginal yeast infections or vaginal candidiasis, may have no or few outward symptoms. In such cases, itching and discomfort are the main symptoms.
- For example, ringworm on the face or body will appear as a 1-2 cm circle on the skin. These circles are generally red, bumpy, and thickened with thick edges. Meanwhile, ringworm of the feet or athlete's foot will be itchy with white and peeling skin between the toes.
- Ringworm in the groin appears as a wide red patch in the area and is usually accompanied by severe itching.
Step 2. Apply an antifungal cream to treat most fungal infections
Topical treatments are the most effective way to treat most fungal infections. An antifungal cream should be applied directly to the infected skin area, usually 2 or 3 times a day. This medicine will cure the infection in a week. Always read the directions on the medicine package carefully and use this cream as directed.
- Visit the local pharmacy and buy an over-the-counter antifungal cream. Most large pharmacies have their own antifungal medicine area.
- Some of the commonly used over-the-counter antifungal drugs include Lamisil (which is safe for people aged 12 years and over), Desenex, and Lotrimin AF. Tinactin and Neosporin AF are good options for treating fungal infections in children. Use these medicines according to the directions on the package or as directed by your doctor.
- Most over-the-counter antifungal creams contain medications such as miconazole, clotrimazole, and econazole.
Step 3. See a doctor if the yeast infection does not improve after using a topical cream
Most mild yeast infections clear up quickly after you apply a topical cream. However, if you have had a yeast infection for more than 3 weeks, or if the infection has grown to cover large areas of your body, make an appointment with your GP. Show your doctor a yeast infection and tell him how long you've had it and if it hurts. Ask for a prescription for medication to treat this infection.
Make an appointment with your doctor if a yeast infection affects your scalp or other hard-to-reach areas of your body
Step 4. Carry out laboratory tests to diagnose infected skin cells if necessary
In some cases, it is difficult to determine whether the cause of the rash is a fungal infection. If this happens, the doctor will take a sample of the diseased skin and send it to a medical laboratory for analysis. For example, your doctor may peel skin cells from your toes if they suspect you have athlete's foot.
If you have a vaginal yeast infection, your doctor will take a sample of skin cells from the walls of your vagina and cervix
Step 5. Take antifungal tablets to treat fungal infections that are widespread or above the jaw line
Applying antifungal cream to the entire surface of the back or both legs is certainly not easy. Therefore, if you have a fungal rash with an area of more than 1000 sq cm, the best treatment option to treat it is oral medication. You may also need to take medication to treat fungal infections on your face or scalp. Read the instructions for using the medicine carefully and take the medicine according to the instructions.
- In most cases, your doctor will ask you to continue taking the medication for up to 2 weeks after the rash goes away.
- If you have a vaginal yeast infection, your doctor may prescribe a soft tablet that you can insert into your vagina to treat it.
Step 6. Discuss the side effects of taking medications with your doctor
Some people experience side effects after taking antifungal drugs. In most of the cases, these side effects are quite mild and limited to issues like stomach upset and skin irritation. Ask your doctor how to avoid and manage these side effects. For example, your doctor may recommend Pepto-Bismol for stomach problems and medicated lotion for skin irritation.
If you experience severe abdominal pain after taking antifungal medication, visit the emergency department
Step 7. Treat scalp fungal infections with a selenium sulfide shampoo
If your scalp is infected with fungus, look for shampoos that contain selenium sulfide such as Selsun Blue or Head & Shoulders. Follow the directions on the shampoo package or ask your doctor how to use this shampoo.
- Selenium sulfide shampoo is safe for children. If you suspect your child has a fungal scalp infection, take them to a pediatrician for a diagnosis.
- You can also use this shampoo to treat fungal rashes on other parts of the body, such as athlete's foot. Apply the shampoo to the affected area in the shower and leave it on for a few minutes before rinsing it off. Your symptoms should improve in about 4 weeks.
- If your symptoms don't improve or if they get worse after a few weeks, see your GP again.
Method 2 of 3: Skin Care
Step 1. Dry the skin properly after bathing
If you have a yeast infection, or want to prevent this from happening, it's a good idea to take a bath once a day. After bathing, dry the entire surface of the skin with a clean and dry towel. Be sure to dry areas of skin that tend to sweat or have creases, such as the armpits and groin area.
- Mushrooms like skin that tends to be wet. So, if your skin is still wet when you wear clothes, you are at risk of developing a yeast infection.
- Keep your feet clean and dry and don't share socks or shoes with other people.
Step 2. Wear loose clothing with fabrics that can absorb moisture from the skin
Loose, bulky t-shirts made of cotton or linen are a great option to wear if you have a skin fungus infection. Fungal-infected skin should be kept dry, and loose-fitting clothing will help a lot. Loose clothing also won't rub and irritate the skin, helping it heal.
Do not wear tight clothing and any clothing made of breathable fabrics, such as leather. Avoid materials like this
Step 3. Wash sheets, clothes, and towels once a week to get rid of mold
While the yeast infection is healing, you should keep all the fabrics around you as clean as possible. Mushrooms can stick to fabrics that are in frequent contact with the body. After that, even if your infection clears up, you could get infected again from sleeping on unwashed sheets, for example.
- This step is also important to prevent the yeast infection from spreading to other people. Mold is easy to move and you run the risk of passing the infection on to your friends, roommates, and other family members if you don't keep your towels, sheets, and clothes clean.
- You can also protect your feet by wearing flip-flops when using a public bathroom, such as a bathroom at a gym or swimming pool.
Method 3 of 3: Try Natural Remedies
Step 1. Apply coconut oil to the yeast infection 2 times a day
Among its many various benefits, coconut oil contains fatty acids that can kill several species of fungi and yeasts. Take coconut oil from the container by rubbing 2 fingers. After that, apply your finger to the skin that is infected with the fungus until it is completely coated with coconut oil. For best results, repeat this treatment 2 times a day.
- If you have a vaginal yeast infection, soak a tampon in warm coconut oil before using it.
- The antifungal properties of coconut oil have been demonstrated by U. S. research. National Library of Medicine.
Step 2. Rub crushed garlic under the nails to treat fungal infection in the nail bed
Fungal infections often attack the skin just under the toenails or hands. To help treat infection in these hard-to-reach areas, use the flat side of the knife to press and crush 1-2 cloves of garlic. Press this garlic between the infected nails and leave it on for 20-30 minutes before washing your hands or feet.
Medical research shows that garlic contains natural antibiotics that will help fight yeast infections
Step 3. Drink diluted apple cider vinegar to fight yeast infections
Apple cider vinegar contains lots of healthy microbes that can fight fungus and help fight infections. Mix apple cider vinegar and water in equal proportions and drink about 1 cup (250 ml) daily. Apple cider vinegar should help prevent the yeast infection from spreading and help it heal quickly.
- Apple cider vinegar is also rich in healthy nutrients such as phosphorus, potassium, and calcium. Unfortunately the antifungal properties are based more on personal experience.
- You can buy apple cider vinegar at the convenience store or grocery store. This product may also be sold in some large pharmacies.
Step 4. Eat plain yogurt to get an intake of active bacterial cultures at breakfast
Yogurt containing active bacterial cultures contains many probiotics that can promote the health of good bacteria in the gut. A healthier gut will increase the body's ability to fight infections, including yeast infections.
- You can buy yogurt at the convenience store or grocery store. Check the label on the yogurt package and make sure the product contains live Lactobacillus strains before buying.
- Like apple cider vinegar, yogurt's antifungal properties are based more on personal experience and stem from its ability to improve overall gut health.
Tips
- Some of the most common fungal infections include ringworm, athlete's foot, groin fungus, candidiasis, and tinea versicolor (spots on the skin).
- Various types of fungal skin infections can attack children and adults. Different infections cause different discomfort. Some yeast infections are very itchy and annoying, while others may not be felt.
- If you live in a hot climate and your feet get sweaty in the afternoon, try wearing different shoes every 2-3 days. Wearing the same shoes for too long for several days in a row can cause a yeast infection.
Warning
- Do not rely on natural remedies as a substitute for medical treatment. Although they can help with medical treatment, natural remedies should not be used as a substitute for doctor's care.
- Fungal infections under fingernails or hands are difficult to treat. Even with medication, healing of this infection may take 1 year.
- Symptoms of a fungal skin infection can be very similar to those of other diseases, such as seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, or even Lyme disease. If you experience symptoms of a yeast infection, you should get an accurate diagnosis from your doctor so that you can treat it appropriately.
