Dermatophytosis is a fungal infection that develops on the outer layer of the skin in various parts of the body. The pathogen is responsible for athlete's foot (tinea pedis), inguinal epidermophyte (tinea cruris) and most fungal infections of the scalp (tinea capitis). In English this disease is called "ringworm", but it has nothing to do with worms, although it manifests itself with red and circular rashes that look just like worms. It often causes itching, but not always, and is transmitted by direct skin contact. Traditional medicine does not recognize any natural cure for dermatophytosis, but some herbal remedies are still worth trying. If they don't work, you can always switch to over-the-counter lotions or creams that contain miconazole, clotrimazole, and other fungal active ingredients.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Herbal remedies
Step 1. Apply tea tree oil
It is an oil extracted from the tea tree native to Australia, used for many generations as an ointment to fight all types of skin ailments and lesions, including bacterial and fungal infections. According to research, tea tree oil applied to the skin is an effective remedy against dermatophytosis, especially against athlete's foot (tinea pedis). Topical creams containing 10% can reduce flaking, inflammation, itching and burning sensation in the foot, but more concentrated solutions (at least 25%) are needed to treat the rash.
- You need to apply the oil three times a day for about four weeks to get rid of dermatophytosis. Be aware that this product has a very intense smell, similar to that of pine trees.
- Concentrated tea tree oil solutions do not appear to be as effective as antifungal creams and lotions with clotrimazole or terbinafine.
Step 2. Evaluate grapefruit seed extract
It is obtained from the seeds, pulp and white membranes of citrus fruit; it has antimicrobial properties, including a good antibacterial and antifungal action. It is sometimes used, with good results, to combat candidiasis, although there is no research that demonstrates its usefulness in treating dermatophytoses. Either way, grapefruit seed extract is safe to consume or dab on the skin, so it's worth a try.
- You can apply it to the skin and scalp - it is in fact a very common ingredient in natural shampoos. Let it sit on your head for at least five minutes before rinsing off.
- Prepare the extract yourself by chopping the grapefruit and adding a little glycerin; alternatively, you can buy it at herbalist's and health food stores. Smear it on the rash 3-5 times a day for a week and see the results.
Step 3. Rub the fresh garlic into the skin
This bulb contains a compound called allicin which has many medicinal properties, including antibacterial and antifungal properties. There are several studies that have shown the effectiveness of garlic oil or gel for the treatment of dermatophytosis, such as athlete's foot and inguinal epidermophyte. Massage garlic oil into the rash 3-5 times a day for up to a week and check the progress. If you notice improvement but the infection has not cleared up, continue the treatment for another week.
- The oil can be prepared at home by crushing or pulverizing fresh garlic cloves. Alternatively, you can buy it at health food stores and health food stores.
- The downside of this treatment is the pungent smell; fresh garlic can also numb and even irritate the skin of people who have a certain sensitivity.
- Consider spreading it on athlete's foot at night, then wearing socks, to prevent the oil from transferring onto the sheets.
Step 4. Take a Borax Bath
This powder, also called sodium tetraborate, is commonly used as an insecticide and laundry detergent. It is basically the saline compound of boric acid and a rich source of boron. Borax has many uses and properties, including being a strong antifungal. It is used to treat Candida infections on the skin, so it could also be effective against dermatophytoses. Add about 200g of borax to the bath water and soak completely for 15-20 minutes. If you're trying to get rid of athlete's foot, dissolve a teaspoon or two of borax in hot foot bath water.
- Borax powder is composed of soft white crystals that dissolve easily in water; it has a very light chemical smell and does not irritate the skin.
- Make a more concentrated solution (or paste) to apply to the scalp infection. Let it sit for at least five minutes before rinsing off.
Step 5. Experiment with colloidal silver
Silver compounds and solutions have a long documented history of antimicrobial, antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties. Before the discovery of penicillin, silver preparations were common and widely appreciated by doctors. Solutions with colloidal silver are tasteless, odorless and contain clusters of silver atoms suspended in distilled water. It is a lethal substance for some yeasts and fungi, although there are no studies on its effectiveness against dermatophytosis. As it has been studied for a long time and is very safe, it is worth a try.
- You can buy it at most health food stores. Look for a solution that contains five to ten parts per million (ppm) of silver - the more concentrated ones are no longer effective, but certainly more expensive.
- You can dab or spray the product on the rash 3-5 times a day for a couple of weeks before evaluating its effectiveness.
- You can also easily prepare colloidal silver at home and save money, although the equipment costs between 50 and 100 euros.
- Colloidal silver does not stain the skin blue if it does not contain proteins.
Part 2 of 2: Hygiene and Prevention
Step 1. Keep your skin clean and dry
Dermatophytoses are often spread through direct contact with infected people. For this reason, it is worth keeping the skin clean so that the fungi do not have a chance to thrive and lurk in the skin. These microorganisms love dark and humid environments, so it is very important to dry the epidermis, especially the feet, after a shower. Usually, regular washing with soap is enough to avoid dermatophyte infections.
- Always wear flip flops or flip flops when showering in public places, such as the gym and swimming pool, to avoid athlete's foot.
- After breeding on the skin, the dermatophyte settles deep into the skin, making it scaly, red and itchy. Subsequently, these spots develop raised edges that expand and take on an annular appearance.
Step 2. Wash clothes, sheets and towels regularly
Infection also spreads through contact with contaminated clothing, linens, and hygiene tools. If you are concerned that you have touched someone with dermatophytosis, wash your clothing immediately. If your partner is affected, wash sheets and towels frequently and regularly to minimize the risk of infection.
- Wash your clothes, sheets, and towels with borax and very hot water to kill the fungi. Alternatively, you can use bleach and benzalkonium chloride which have excellent fungicidal properties.
- Don't share personal belongings, such as clothing, shoes, brushes, and towels, to reduce the risk of getting infected.
Step 3. Do not touch animals that show patches of alopecia
Dermatophytosis also spreads through contact with infected (and non) domestic animals. The most common transmission occurs by stroking or combing your dog or cat - the infection is also relatively common among cows and other farm animals. For all these reasons, avoid touching animals that show signs of infection - hairless spots on the body, red, scaly and irritated skin.
- You should always wash your hands after touching animals, especially before eating and going to bed.
- Sleeping with your pets is a particularly risky behavior for dermatophytosis and other skin diseases, due to close contact.
- If you know for certain that your pet is sick, wear latex gloves and long-sleeved clothing when you touch them and vacuum the areas of the house they frequent on a regular basis.
Advice
- Athlete's foot (tinea pedis) and inguinal epidermofitia (tinea cruris) can usually be treated with over-the-counter antifungal creams, lotions, or powders, by applying them directly to the skin for 2-4 weeks. The most used active ingredients are clotrimazole, miconazole, terbinafine and ketoconazole.
- Scalp dermatophytosis (tinea capitis) is more difficult to treat and typically requires prescription medicines, such as griseofulvin, itraconazole, or fluconazole, taken by mouth for 1 to 3 months. Medicated creams, lotions, or powders are rarely effective against this type of fungal disease.
- Call your doctor if the rash does not improve within 4 weeks of self-medication.
