Funguses
When
people take antibiotics, the good bacteria are often killed
along with the disease-causing ones. This leaves yeast, such
as Candida which is not affected by antibiotics, to grow
unrestrained, proliferating and overrunning the intestinal
tract. The consequence is a yeast overgrowth or infection.
Such
infections can last for years causing a wide variety of
symptoms ranging from headaches to digestive problems. Often
people have systemic candida infections without even knowing
it. This is why antifungal medications or probiotics should be
taken whenever antibiotics are used. A probiotic supports the
growth of friendly bacteria but not the disease-causing kind.
Symptoms
of Fungal Infections
The symptoms and appearances of a fungal skin infection depend on the type of fungus causing it and the part of the body affected.
They can cause rashes with a variety of different appearances. Some are red, scaly and itchy, whereas others can produce a fine scale similar to dry skin. The fungus may infect just one area of the body, or there may be several infected areas.
Fungal infections of the scalp or beard can lead to hair loss. Fungal rashes can sometimes be confused with other skin conditions, such as psoriasis and eczema.
Types of fungal skin infections
Fungal infections usually affect the skin because they live off keratin, a protein that makes up skin, hair and nails. Fungal skin infections are divided into groups depending on what type of organism is involved. The full name depends on the location of the infection on the body.
Types
of Fungal Infections
Some common fungal infections are listed below.
Dermatophyte infections
Most basic fungal skin infections are caused by dermatophytes - a type of fungi that cause skin, nail and hair infections. They are common, affecting between 10 and 20% of people at some point in their life. They include:
Athlete's foot (Tinea pedis)
This is a very common infection that occurs in one in five adults. It's often caused by a combination of fungi and bacteria. It causes scaling and sogginess of the skin, commonly of the web spaces between the toes. Sometimes the skin becomes pale and can be itchy. The infection is often picked up from contaminated skin fragments in public places, such as swimming pools and shower facilities.
Nail infections
Onychomycosis is the name for any fungal nail infection. Tinea unguium (ringworm of the nails) is a common infection. The nails become malformed, thickened and crumbly. Not all nails affected like this are caused by fungal infections, but it is a common cause. Toenail infections are commonly linked with athlete's foot. Fingernails can be affected too.
Ringworm of the groin (Tinea cruris)
This is called "jock itch" because it occurs in sportspeople. It causes an itchy, red rash in the groin and surrounding area and is commonly seen in men who have been sweating a lot. Often you also have athlete's foot, and scratching your feet followed by the groin may spread the infection.
Ringworm on the body (Tinea corporis)
This affects the body, often in exposed areas like the abdomen or on limbs, causing red patches. They are scaly at the edge with clear skin at the centre. The patches spread out from the centre. It can be caught from domestic animals.
Ringworm of the scalp (Tinea capitis)
This tends to affect young children and can cause hair loss with inflammation in the affected area. It is usually spread from person to person. Most people infected by this fungus don't actually develop the symptoms, but become carriers who can spread the infection to others, sometimes for years.
Yeast infections
Other fungal skin infections are caused by yeast infections. For example:
Intertrigo
Intertrigo is a yeast infection of skin folds caused by Candida albicans. It affects areas of the body that have skin touching skin such as the armpits, groin, and under heavy breasts or fat folds, where the environment is warm and moist.
Pityriasis versicolor
This yeast infection causes increased dark patches on pale or untanned skin and light patches on tanned or darker skin. Another name for this condition is tinea versicolor (versicolor means "of various colours"). Teenagers and young adults are most often affected in the UK.
Thrush (Candida albicans)
The fungus Candida albicans is present in most people, and lives in the mouth and digestive system. It usually lives in harmony with us and rarely causes problems. However, in certain situations, such as during illness or when using antibiotics, the fungi multiply and cause thrush symptoms.
Thrush can affect the mouth and tongue, areas lined with a mucus membrane such as the vagina, and moist, folded skin. Thrush infection often looks like small white patches, which leave a red mark when rubbed off. In adults, vaginal thrush can cause itchiness and a thick, white discharge. For more information, please see Related topics.
Thrush sometimes affects men, causing a painful red rash on the head of the penis (glans). It also commonly affects newborn babies in the mouth (oral thrush). The white patches may be mistaken for breast or formula milk. It isn't usually serious, but babies with thrush in their throats may stop feeding properly. Babies may also develop thrush in the nappy area.
Typical Medical Fungal Remedies
Azoles - Azoles stop fungal growth by preventing fungi from making an essential part of their cell wall. Three typical azoles are ketoconazole (Nizoral), fluconazole (Diflucan), and itraconazole (Sporanox).Ketoconazole is the oldest of these three drugs, and has been used since the 1970s. It is slightly more toxic than the other azoles and does not work for asper gillosis and many candidiasis infections.
Although fluconazole is effective against both superficial and systemic candidiasis, some strains of this fungus have now become resistant to the drug. Itraconazole, the newest of the azoles, is effective against a range of different fungal infections. Unlike ketoconazole or fluconazole, it can be used to treat aspergillosis.
Newer azole medications include voriconazole (Vfend), approved by the FDA in the fall of 2001, and posaconazole, still in clinical trials as of 2004.
Echinocandins - Echinocandins are a new class of antifungal drugs that work by disrupting the wall that surrounds fungal cells. Caspofungin (Cancidas) is the first of this new class of drugs to be approved. It is an effective treatment for severe systemic fungal infections, and is given to patients who do not respond to other therapies. Micafungin, another drug in this class, has been used in Japan to treat aspergillosis in leukemia patients but has not been approved by the FDA for use in the United States.
Testimony
on the Antifungal Properties of Colloidal Silver
"I have had this awful skin problem since 1998 ..on and off but it is a catch 22 type thing... I always took probiotics like crazy but
nothing seemed to help me repopulate.. It would appear that once the antibiotics wiped out the beneficial bacteria it just was not replacing like it's supposed to and all the yeastie beasties and fungus just take over till it's "big city" ;-(
I asked dermatologist many times about whether I should have biopsy and
didn't seem to think there could perhaps not be an entirely accurate assessment of the depth and thickness of the infection within the roots and that it would only show inflammation blah blah.. Then the derm would send me home with some
hydrocortisone or some other cream that I cannot pronounce and that would pretty much be it breaks out whenever I take antibiotics.. but I have to every time I see the dentist because I have a brain shunt so do you see my dilemma??
I just had a bunch of dental work done and was on antibiotics for 2 weeks and then...my face broke out *by the
way...before I was knowledgable about probiotics etc.. and did not know any better the derm would say I have "dermatitis" and send me home with weeks on end of antibiotics to kill the bacteria... thus feeding the fungus and the problem on my face (only I didn't know all this at the time sigh) Perioral (around the mouth) Dermatitis (your skin is irritated) oh wow.. I am so enlightened now
Anyway, so here I am... trying every "alternative" thing I can try
if derm doesn't think biopsy would do any good at all then I'm sure not
anxious to have a scalpel cut into my face for nothing . I can remember when I was living in California and going to Stanford University... my dermatologist there in the clinic had no idea what was wrong and so he asked me if I wouldn't mind if he presented me to the " Dermatology grand rounds" so that all the dermatologists could put their heads together and try to solve the problem.... well, four years later now and this problem was still not solved.
When I personally clued into what was happening with me and that it was
"fungal related" I asked my primary care if they could treat it as such... so they gave me diflucan (a very very strong antifungal that is effective the only setback is.. it destroys your liver) Anyway, I would take a round (which is 3weeks!) I was concerned about my liver... but I was more concerned with the fact that I was suicidal and that no one could help me and that no one knew what was wrong with me and that I just wanted to end my life.
So anyway...
long long story I know the diflucan has been the ONLY thing in the
world that has cleared this thing up (temporarily) and with many side
effects, but then, like I said when I have my 6 month dental visit then it would break out in force The last straw for me in all this with doctors and antibiotics came when I called my dermatologist office my face was burning and burning (looked as if I had been scalded) I had not left the house for two months and I was in complete break down in tears. The secretary told me that my dermatologist would be out of the office for a week.. she said I could leave a call back number and he could call me if it was an emergency so I did.. when he called
he told me to up my dose of antibiotics two in the a.m and two in the p.m. After that phone call I felt completely hopeless and it dawned on me that doctors were never going to cure me of this and that if I was going to get well I would need to seek alternative measures. That is when I came upon
... website ... which changed my life!
To everyone here who has been suffering a year.. five
years . ten years.. you don't have to. The body will heal itself believe it or not.
I was on the protocol with silver, MSM and oregano oil for one month only!!
Alot of people in this group have mentioned diflucan...
let me just say that a drug will never cure you. Drugs mutate and become resistant ... drugs are toxic to the body.
Please, please I would urge anyone that is concerned about their health and their body to read everything you can on this site..."
In good health,
Jen
Oregon
Definitions
(For Those of Us Who are Medically Challenged)
Pathogens -
Agents that cause diseases, especially a living microorganisms
such as a bacterium, virus, or fungus.
Nystatin - It
has an unpleasant taste and may cause nausea and GI
disturbance. Vaginal tablets in combination with unsweetened
mints or chewing gum are better tolerated.
Clotrimazole -
It is more palatable than nystatin but contains dextrose which
may promote dental caries.
Fluconazole -
Fluconazole is superior to nystatin, clotrimazole, and
ketoconazole. High doses (up to 800mg/day) can be used in
difficult cases.
Itraconazole -
The capsules have limited bioavailability and their absorption
is improved if they are taken with a fatty meal. The efficacy
of the capsules is thought about equal to that of ketoconazole.
Ketoconazole -
This agent has limited bioavailability, requires an acidic
environment for best absorption, and causes liver toxicity. As
it is less efficacious than fluconazole and itraconazole
suspension, it is less frequently used.
Resistance -
power or capacity to resist; especially : the
inherent ability of an organism to resist harmful influences
(as disease, toxic agents, or infection).
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website and must be viewed as personal opinion only, not fact.
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should take steps to remove the silver from your system.
