8 Best Home Remedies For Fungal Infections | How To Prevent

Fungal infections are prevalent, and numerous individuals experience fungal infections at least once throughout their lives.

Fungi are frequently present in the environment, and many of us encounter them.

Fungus grows in moist and warm conditions. These infections can affect anyone, and they are not life-threatening.

What are fungal infections? 

Home remedies for fungal infections are an important tool to treat fungal infections but first must know the meaning of fungal infections.

Fungal infections are diseases caused by various types of fungi affecting different parts of the body depending on where the infection occurred:

Superficial which affects skin, nails, and hair. 

Subcutaneous as dermis and subcutaneous tissue. 

Systemic as the liver, lungs, and eyes.

It affects humans and animals and is transmitted from humans to humans or animals to humans.

Causes of fungal infections

Fungal Infections are caused by fungi that are active in moist and warm environments.

It caused according to many reasons:

Lack of personal hygiene

Poor personal hygiene increases the risk of fungal infections, so keep your body clean and dry.

Warm and Humid environment

Fungi are attracted to warm, moist environments and are also active in areas of sweat on the body.

Weakened Immune System

People who suffer from immune diseases such as HIV or cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy are more susceptible to infection.

Antibiotic Use

The longer an antibiotic is used, the greater the risk of infection which disturbs the body’s normal flora balance.

Direct Contact

Infection spreads through skin-to-skin contact with an infected person or through an infected animal.

Diabetes Disease

Can increase the risk of infection.

Symptoms of fungal infections

Irritation, itchy, redness, swelling, and cracked skin for skin infection. 

Cracked, thick, discolored, and brittle nails for nail infection.

Bad odor and white patch in the mouth or throat for oral infection.

Itchy, burning, and pain for vaginal infection.

What are the types of fungal infections?

Ringworm infection

Infection caused by worms affects the skin causing itchy and circular red patches.

It spreads through skin to skin with an infected person.

Athlete’s Foot

Infection happens between toes causing itching, redness, and cracked skin.

It can affect obese, diabetic, or weakened immune people.

Yeast Infection

Common infection caused by candida affects the skin, vaginal area, and digestive system.

Infants are more susceptible to infection and also HIV and diabetic patients are at high risk of being infected.

Nail Infection

The common infection affects nails, whether toenails or fingernails, and keeps them discolored, cracked, and brittle.

Systemic Infection

More dangerous than other infections that affect internal organs.

Oral Infection   

Infection that affects the mouth and throat causing white patches of the tongue and throat.

Jock Itch

Infection affects the thigh area causing redness, itching, and rash.

Home remedies for fungal infections

1- Honey:

One of the important home remedies for fungal infections.

Thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties, honey has great importance and plays an important role in treating infections and fungi that affect the skin over the years.

It limits the spread of fungi, helps treat them, maintains skin moisture, and makes them softer after treating the fungi.

It is used by applying a thin layer of raw honey so that it covers the entire affected area, then we cover it and repeat these steps for a period to ensure that the fungus is treated.

2- Coconut Oil

Thanks to its antifungal and antibacterial properties, coconut oil plays an effective role in moisturizing the skin and treating it from fungi and bacteria. 

It strengthens the natural skin barrier and makes the skin more moisturized.

Once applied to the skin, it creates an unsuitable environment for fungal growth.

It is a great part of home remedies for fungal infections.

It is used to clean the infected area then apply the coconut oil and repeat these steps regularly.

3- Garlic

According to its nature, garlic has antifungal properties and helps to strengthen the immune system, through which it can fight infection and eliminate many fungi.

It is used by grinding garlic cloves to extract the allicin, then mixing it with oil to obtain a garlic paste and applying it to the infected area. 

It is left for a few minutes, then washed with warm water and these steps are repeated until the infection improves.

4- Yogurt

Because it contains probiotic bacteria, it helps eliminate fungi, attacks yeast infections, and restores the natural balance of bacteria in the body.

It also helps treat and moisturize affected skin. It can be used topically and vaginally.

Clean the affected area and apply a large amount of yogurt on it for 15 minutes then wash it with warm water and repeat regularly.

Use a cotton ball to put yogurt on it and place it on the infected area, then leave it for a few minutes and then wash it with warm water.

5- Apple Cider Vinegar

It is used for feet and nails by mixing apple vinegar with water and soaking the affected area in it then drying it.

It is used by mixing apple cider vinegar with water, then applying the mixture to the affected area and leaving it for 20 minutes, then washing it with warm water.

6- Turmeric

It has a strong effect against fungi, bacteria, and inflammation because it contains curcumin, which helps eliminate fungal infections.

It is used by mixing turmeric with water and applying the mixture to the affected area for a few minutes then washing it with warm water.

7- Tea Tree Oil

Has antifungal properties which help to kill fungi that attack the skin and cause infection.

It is used by mixing tea tree oil with carrier oil then applying it to the affected area and repeating it regularly.

8- Aloe Vera

Has soothing properties, and it is used to apply natural aloe vera to an infected area for a few minutes and repeat it over the day.

How to prevent fungal infections?

Maintaining personal hygiene.

Keeping the skin clean and dry.

Wearing breathable clothes.

Not sharing personal things with others.

Strengthening the immune system.

When should you visit the doctor?

In conclusion, home remedies for fungal infection as honey, yogurt, or aloe vera fail to eliminate the fungal infection, it is necessary to visit a doctor to limit its spread, treat it, and find out its cause, such as:

Infection worsens and spreads.

Dangerous symptoms.

Underlying health conditions such as diabetes.

In case of eye infection which is dangerous.

Summary

Fungus grows in moist and warm conditions.

These infections can affect anyone, and they are not life-threatening.

Fungal infections are prevalent, and numerous individuals experience fungal infections at least once throughout their lives.

Home remedies for fungal infections are an important tool to treat fungal infections.