Fungal Skin Infections

Posted by Shanti Gowans on March 11, 2023

Ringworm, Tinea Versicolor, Dermatophytosis, Dermatomycosis Furfuracea
Fungal skin infection is a burst out of the exterior condition of the skin, leading to circular or various shaped skin patches/lesions along with itching. Blisters may also be present. Tinea infections are very common, they spread easily, and may affect any age group. Proper hygiene, regular health care, and avoidance of allergic chemicals are the easiest ways to prevent the possibility of this illness.

Sites of the affliction

Fungal skin infections can appear on various areas on the body, and are named based upon the site of the affliction
Scalp: Tinea capitis, also known as scalp ringworm
Body: Tinea corporis
Whole-body surface: Tinea universalis
Neck: Tinea versicolor
Face: Tinea faciei
Groin and buttock: Tinea cruris, also known as jock itch
Hand: Tinea manuum
Feet: Tinea pedis, athlete’s toes, athlete’s foot
Nails: Tinea unguium

Predisposing and promoting factors for fungal skin infection:

Poor nutrition – leading to less immunity, and increased proneness to infection
Excessive sweating, in hot and humid conditions – leading to moist skin
Debilitating and chronic diseases – compromised immunity
Poor hygiene, poor living conditions
Diabetes – diabetic patients are usually more prone to skin diseases
Administration of portico-steroids and immune-suppressing agents leads to compromised immunity, which increases the chance for the fungus to invade.
Impure blood

Causative Factors, according to Ayurveda

Causative factors arise from an unwholesome diet and habits, such as

Food, habits and lifestyle that increase Kapha and Pitta – itching, and burning sensations are the predominant symptoms, contributed by Kapha and Pitta respectively
Oily food, junk food, soft drinks, etc., upset the stomach and intestines, and worsen your immunity.
Incompatible foods – poor combinations, and wrong food combination
Excess intake of seafood
Heavy food intake
Excessive food intake
Slimy and spicy food
Intake of sour curd and milk, together, in excess for a long period of time
Excess intake of black gram
Drinking cold water reduces the strength of your digestive and metabolic power
Contact with dust and contaminants
Night awakening
Improper bowel habits etc.

Prevention of Spread

After bathing, make sure to dry your skin completely
Do not share clothing, sporting equipment, towels with others
Wash thoroughly after suspected skin contact
Avoid tight-fitting clothes.
Change your socks and underwear repeatedly, if needed. Replacing them at an interval of 6 months to 1 year.
Groin: Wear loose-fitting undergarments. Apply talcum powder to keep the skin dry
Athletes foot: Put your socks on before your underwear so that the infection does not spread
Scalp: do not use old and infected combs, brushes or other hair care products which may be contaminated
Avoid using oily skin products
Reduce your exposure to the afternoon sun. Increased sweating causes a worsening of the infection
Wear natural fibres, such as cotton clothing, which absorbs sweat and moisture completely.

Wholesome diet and habits

Drink warm water
Eat light and easily digestible food
Favour foods with astringent, bitter, and light tastes
Wash and bathe regularly
Improve your body’s strength and immunity with appropriate exercise
Drink homemade buttermilk
Use turmeric, curry leaves, cinnamon, and cardamom in your food preparations.

Line of Treatment, dadru chikitsa

As the disease is due to the predominant vitiation of Kapha and pitta, measures must be taken to pacify these dosas first.
External medications, washing, and cleansing to prevent superinfections.
Various home remedies, herbs, and Ayurvedic medicines can be employed for both external applications as well as ingesting.
If the condition is severe, and the disease is chronic in nature, classical emesis, Vamana Panchakarma can be undertaken

Home Remedies:

Turmeric and Neem
Mix 10 grams of turmeric powder in 100 gm of neem oil
Apply over the skin lesions, 30 mins before bathing, every day.
2. Mustard seed paste
To 1 tsp of crushed mustard seeds, add a little water to make a paste.
Apply on the affected area, and leave on for 60 minutes.
Wash off with lukewarm water

3. Tulsi leaves
Crush some tulsi leaves, press the paste onto a sieve and extract its juice
Using cotton wool, apply 2 tsp of this juice to the affected area.

4.Jatyadi oil
Used for external application for quick healing on blisters, sinuses, non-healing wounds etc.

Herbs

Aragwadha – Cassia fistula
Bakuchi-Psoralea corylifolia – used in a wide range of skin diseases, including leucoderma
Dhattura – Belladonna – Datura metel

Gandhaka – Sulphur
Haratala – Purified yellow arsenic (to be used under medical supervision)
Haridra – Turmeric – Curcuma longa
Jati-Jasminum officinarum – the main ingredient of many skin preparations, notably Jatyadi oil
Nimba – Azadirachta indica
Patola – Pointed gourd – Cucumerina dioica
Tuttha – Copper sulphate solution is used externally in skin disorders (to be used under medical supervision)

Ayurvedic medicines

Arogyavardhini – used in the treatment of liver diseases, fever, skin diseases etc.
Aragwadhadi kasha – used in the treatment of vomiting, diabetes, skin diseases with itching, and non-healing wounds
Guggulu tiktaka kasha – used in the treatment of inflammatory conditions of the skin, joints and bones
Hajrul Yahood Bhasma – mainly used in urinary calculi, for external application of skin disorders in children
Haridra Khand – used widely in the treatment of allergic skin diseases, and itching skin, to improve the skin quality and complexion
Mahatiktaka kasha – used to treat a wide range of skin diseases, abscesses, non-healing wounds, and sinusitis
Panchatiktaku guggulu – used in skin diseases and fever

PLEASE NOTE:
This information is provided only for the purpose of education. Do not use the information for self-medication or treating others. Always consult your doctor before trying any remedies, lifestyle modifications or medicines.

Posted in: Ayurvedic Blog