10 Home Remedies for Fungal Infections
Fungal infections are an unfortunate fact of life and common throughout the world. A fungal infection is when a fungus takes over an area of the body and is too strong for the immune system to deal with. Much like bacteria, there are good or helpful fungi and there are also bad and harmful fungi.
When bad fungi invades it can be difficult to kill, fungi can also survive in your home environment and re-infect the same person over and over. Fungi can live just about anywhere, in your home, plants, soil and even the air. Some people are more at risk of contracting a fungal infection than others, and it’s a good idea to look out for the symptoms and know what to do when you have them. Some common symptoms depending on the type fungal infection are1:
* Changes in the skin such as red, cracking or peeling skin
* Itching
* Blisters
* Scaling skin
* Stinging and/or burning sensations
* Round red patches which are slightly raised It’s important to remember that many types of fungal infections are highly contagious and it’s a good idea to tackle the problem right away.
That way you can avoid spreading it around your immediate environment, risking re-infection and avoid spreading it to others. Many types of fungal infection can be handled using natural methods. Here are 10 home remedies for fungal infection:
10 Home Remedies for Fungal Infections
#1 – Probiotics and a Healthy Gut Having a healthy gut is responsible for having a healthy immune system and many health professionals claim that it’s actually the most important factor in that regard2.
Eating probiotic foods helps promote a healthy gut, and consequently a strong immune system that can fight off fungal infections when they attack the body. If you’re already fighting a fungal infection, consuming probiotics and taking care of your gut health is an effective way of killing fungal infection as well. The top probiotic foods are3:
* Yoghurt
* Kefir
* Kombucha
* Sourdough
* Kimchi
* Tempeh
* Pickles
If those don’t seem to be helping you might need a stronger dose to get your gut health in order, there are probiotic supplements available at every pharmacy.
#2 – Boil Clothes, Sheets, And Towels One of the problems of fungal infections is that they are easily spread. Even if you manage to fight off a fungal infection, it’s easy to get reinfected if you haven’t taken the proper steps to prevent that from happening. Wearing sterile clothing, sleeping in sterile sheets and using sterile towels will also help you get rid of your fungal infection quicker by stopping the spread.
Most fungal spores are destroyed in temperatures between 60 – 71’C (140 – 160’F)4. So make sure to use good antimicrobial/antifungal laundry detergent and set the temperature of your wash accordingly.
#3 – Wash and Change Clothes Often We humans can create some ideal conditions for fungal infections to spread and get worse. We sweat and often spend the whole day in the same clothing. Whenever you get the chance, clean the affected area with anti-fungal soap and have a change of clothes on hand. This will help control the spread of the infection.
#4 – Apple Cider Vinegar Apple cider vinegar isn’t only a super food, it’s also a great natural medicine used for a myriad of ailments. It also happens that apple cider vinegar has anti-fungal properties. Mix two tablespoons in warm water and drink it 3 times per day, you can also apply it directly to the affected area of your skin using a cotton ball three times per day.
#5 – Tea Tree Oil Tea tree oil is another age-old cure and has very strong anti-microbial, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. Tea tree oil is quite potent so it’s a good idea to mix it with a carrier oil such as olive or coconut oil. You can dab it on the affected area of your skin three times per day and this is thought to be one of the most effective natural remedies for fungal infections.
10 Home Remedies for Fungal Infections
#6 – Tumeric Turmeric is also a very strong anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial substance. Mix it with a small amount of water to create a paste and apply it over the affected area of your skin. Let it dry and wash it off, repeat two to three times per day. Turmeric can also work great when consumed as a tea, or mixed with a little warm water.
#7 – Garlic Garlic is one of the most, if not the most potent natural medicine and it helps with numerous ailments. It’s also the most accessible naturally occurring antibiotic. Garlic is anti-microbial, anti-fungal and those who eat it regularly are less prone to all kinds of health issues, including fungal infections6. Garlic isn’t only a prophylactic, it’s also effective at fighting fungal infections.
Eat as much raw garlic as you can, you can also apply it directly to the affected area of your skin. Crush two cloves of garlic and mix with coconut or olive oil to make a paste. Apply to affected area of your skin and let it sit for about 30 minutes before washing off.
#8 – Eat Vitamin C Rich Foods Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is an immune system booster and can help protect our body form various types of infection. The stronger the immune system the more effective it will be in helping fight a fungal infection. Here are the most vitamin C rich foods7:
* Tomatoes and tomato juice
* Potatoes
* Broccoli
* Brussels sprouts
* Cauliflower
* Spinach
* Cabbage
* Leafy greens
* Green and red peppers
Supplements are also an option, but it’s always better to get your nutrients from food if possible.
#9 – Hydrogen Peroxide Hydrogen peroxide is great at treating athlete’s foot, but can also be used to treat different types of fungal infections. Use equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water and soak the affected part of your skin for 10-20 minutes.
You can also pour hydrogen peroxide directly on to fungal infections, as long as you don’t have cracked skin. It’s important to note that hydrogen peroxide may sting, especially if you have any open wounds or cracks.
#10 – Do’s and Don’ts Apart from the methods listed above, there are a few things you can do to get rid of your fungal infection:
* Wash the area of your skin affected by the fungal infection two to three times per day using anti-fungal soap
* Don’t use harsh chemicals to clean your clothes, this may cause irritation
* Wear breathable and light clothing
* Avoid wearing tight clothing
* Do not scratch the affected area of your skin
* Keep the area dry
* Wear clean clothes, and change them after each time you wash yourself
* Avoid physical contact with other people
It’s important to note that on the off chance that these home remedies don’t work, you should visit a doctor right away. There are some fungal infections that will require prescription medication to get rid of. It’s also recommended going to a doctor if you’re pregnant, have diabetes or if your fungal infection is accompanied by a fever and/or discharge & pus.
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Fungal Infection References and Fungal Infection Information
* Medical News Today: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/317970#common-types
* Eco Watch: https://www.ecowatch.com/how-good-gut-health-can-boost-your-immune-system
* Harvard Health: https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/how-to-get-more-probiotics
* FBNS NCSU: https://fbns.ncsu.edu/USDAARS/Acrobatpubs/P322-328/P328.pdf
* Pharm Easy: https://pharmeasy.in/blog/try-these-simple-home-remedies-for-fungal-infections/
* Pharm Easy: https://pharmeasy.in/blog/top-10-health-benefits-of-garlic/
* Medline Plus: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002404.htm
* Read Also: https://homeremediesapp.com/10-home-remedies-for-infection/
