Fungi are surprisingly diverse microorganisms. While we eat them in the form of mushrooms and bake our daily bread with them, certain strains of fungus can cause infections and disease in the human body. An infection caused by a fungus is known as a fungal infection. Fungi are present in the soil, air, water and some of them are even found naturally in the human body. The introduction of an infectious type of fungus can cause infections like athlete’s foot, ringworm, or thrush infections. Homeopathic medicines for fungal infection works by restoring the natural healing processes that help fight the fungal infections.
Fungal infections can occur in two ways. The first method is when harmful fungi enter the body through direct contact with an infected person or an infected animal or soil contaminated with fungi. It can also spread from using an object infected with fungi like clothes, combs, towels and bed sheets.
The second way is when there is an excessive multiplication of the fungi that are normally present in the body in a small amount. The growth of fungi present in the body naturally is kept under control by the immune system. When excessive multiplication of fungi occurs under certain circumstances due to a weak immune system, it results in an infection.
Homeopathic Medicines for Fungal Infection
Fungal infection can be treated with medicines in a very safe and effective manner as they boost the body’s self-healing mechanism. Homeopathy helps fight the fungal infection in a natural way, reducing the severity of the symptoms and clearing up the infection. Homeopathy for fungal infections helps heal the rashes and reduce symptoms like itching, burning, discharges, and pain. Sepia Succus, Tellurium, Silicea, Graphites, Antimonium, Thuja, Mezereum and Borax are the top remedies.
Antifungal remedies work effectively, without any side effects.
A word on Antifungal Creams
Homeopathy creams for fungal infections are popular as topical ointments to ease symptoms like itching, but their effectiveness in treating the problem is not proven. Since homeopathy is the science of internal medicine that works holistically with the body, at DrHomeo we do not advocate the use of topical medicines for treatment. Ointments like natural anti-fungal cream for yeast infection or homeopathic cream for jock itch are widely available, but they do little in terms of treating the root cause of the problem (internally).
1. Sepia Succus – For Ringworm in Isolated Spots
Sepia Succus is a medicine for fungal infections like ringworm of skin (tinea corporis). It is used to treat infections when there are circular, ring-shaped lesions on the skin in isolated spots. The lesions may be itchy and burn when scratched. The person may have a tendency of increased perspiration on the skin. Ringworm infection occurring typically in the spring season can be treated with Sepia.
2. Tellurium – For Fungal Infections Forming Rings
Tellurium is a medicine for fungal infections of the skin. The indicating feature to use this medicine is multiple ring-shaped lesions that form intersecting rings that are crowded over each other. The ringworm lesions are often spread over the whole body and are elevated. Mild scaling and vesicles over the rings may appear, along with a heated sensation on the skin.
3. Silicea – Fungal Infection on Feet
Silicea is a medicine for athlete’s foot or tinea pedis. Raw, sore, cracked skin in between toes, peeling of skin, itching, pain, sweating and an offensive, fetid odor from the feet are the symptoms indicative of this medicine. Blisters on the feet as a result of the fungal infection can also be treated with this medicine.
4. Graphites Naturalis – For Tinea Cruris
Graphites Naturalis is a medicine for fungal infections like ringworm in the groin area, which is also known as tinea cruris or jock’s itch. The person needing this medicine has rawness, redness in the groin area, along with blisters. Oozing of watery, sticky discharge may be noticed from the blisters, and the affected skin area may also show cracks. There is intense itching in the affected area which gets aggravated at night.
5. Antimonium Crudum – For Fungal Infections of Nails
Antimonium Crudum is a medicine for onychomycosis or nail fungus (also known as tinea unguium). The characteristic symptoms that indicate the need for this medicine are discolored, brittle nails that break off easily. Pain and distorted nails growing out of shape from fungal infection are also indicative of this medicine.
6. Thuja Occidentalis – For Fungal Infections in Beard
Thuja Occidentalis is a medicine for fungal infections that appear as ringworms in the beard, mustache, and neck area (tinea barbae). Pimples on mustache and beard area, hard nodes, itching, and burning that gets worse upon cold washing are indicative of this medicine.
7. Mezereum – For Fungal Infections on Scalp
Mezereum is a medicine for fungal infections like ringworm of the scalp (tinea capitis). It is useful for both scaly eruptions on the scalp or crusty scabby eruptions with pus-like discharge. Matting of hair, intolerable itching on the lesions that gets worse from the warmth of the bed and hair loss are classic symptoms that indicate the need for this medicine.
8. Borax – For Fungal Infections in the Mouth
Borax for thrush is used to treat fungal and yeast infections that occur in the mouth. Symptoms like whitish patchy growths in the mouth and tongue, tenderness in the lesions, soreness and redness in the mouth, bitter taste and dry-mouth indicate the need for this medicine.
9. Merc Sol – For Baby Rash
Merc Sol is a medicine for diaper rash that develops due to a fungal infection. A red rash on buttock area which is tender to touch appears, and vesicles with a discharge of thin fluid may be seen. An itchy rash that gets worse at night can make the baby irritable.
10. Pulsatilla – For Vaginal Candidiasis
Pulsatilla is a medicine for fungal infections like vaginal candidiasis. Thick white, milky or cream-like, acrid vaginal discharge that gets worse after menses indicate the need for this medicine. Itching and burning in the vagina are also present.
Fungal Infections: Causes and Contributing Factors
A fungal infection is caused by fungi microorganisms like tinea, dermatophytes, Candida albicans, yeast, etc. The most common causes of fungal infections are:
Weak immune system – A healthy immune system keeps a check over the excessive growth of fungi naturally present in the body. If immunity drops, it can lead to opportunistic overgrowth of fungi resulting in an infection.
Excessive sweating provides a favorable environment for fungal growth.
Sharing clothing, bed sheets, towels, combs, shaving razors, etc. with an infected person
Diabetes Mellitus – A hyperglycemic (high in glucose) environment favors immune dysfunction that gives fungi a chance to overgrow.
Obesity – In obese people, the skin folds tend to trap excessive moisture, which can promote fungal growth.
Use of excessive antibiotics – Antibiotics prescribed to kill harmful bacteria also tend to affect the useful bacteria in the body. These bacteria help keep fungal growth in check as a result of inter-related factors. When the concentration of good bacteria decreases, the fungi get an opportunity to grow in excess, leading to fungal infections.
Reduced immunity – Corticosteroids or immunosuppressants, and cancer chemotherapy drugs can reduce the body’s immunity. People with HIV deal with a weakened immunity that can give rise to opportunistic diseases. Due to these factors, the fungi get a chance to grow intensely, which is otherwise put in check by a healthy immune system.
Types of Fungal Infections
A) Ringworms
Ringworm (also known as tinea infection) is caused by fungi of the genera Trichophyton, and epidermophyton. Contrary to what it is called, a ringworm is not caused by any worm. The infection is so called because the ringworm causes the development of ring-shaped lesions on the skin. Ringworm is a contagious infection that can spread from person to person. It causes red, circular patches on the skin along with itching. Homeopathic treatment for ringworm fungal infection helps reduce the intensity of the symptoms.
A Tinea infection can develop on different parts of the body:
Tinea Cruris – It is a ringworm infection on the skin of the groin area.
Tinea cruris is a contagious infection that spreads from direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected person. It may also be contracted through use of objects carrying the fungal infection, like towels, clothes, etc.
The skin lesion developed as a result of tinea cruris is a red rash that forms on the groin area, inner thighs, genitals, and buttocks. Small blisters may appear along the margins of the rash. Itching, pain and burning in the lesions along with flakiness and cracks may also be present.
Tinea Pedis/Athlete’s Foot
Ringworm infection of the foot is known as tinea pedis (or athlete’s foot). Although any part of the foot can be affected, the area between toes is most commonly affected. Tinea pedis can spread through sharing of shoes/socks of an infected person, wearing tightly fitted shoes, excessive sweating on the feet, or by using locker rooms or showers barefoot. Symptoms of tinea pedis include rawness, cracking, peeling of the affected skin area on feet; blisters, and a burning, stinging, itching in the lesions.
Tinea capitis – Ringworm infection of the scalp is known as tinea capitis.
This is a contagious infection that spreads through direct contact with an infected person. One can also get infected by using objects like caps, combs, hair brushes, pillows that have been contaminated by a ringworm infection.
Red, itchy patches on the scalp are the main symptoms. In severe cases, pustules, crusty eruptions on the scalp along with discharge, and matting of the hair may appear. The scalp also feels painful, and brittle hair or bald patches on the scalp may also be present.
Tinea unguium (Onychomycosis)
Tinea unguium is a fungal infection on the nails that is also known as onychomycosis. It commonly affects toenails and is mostly contracted through use of communal showers and swimming pools. Other places from where this infection can be picked up include using foot tubs, filers, and other tools contaminated by fungi.
The signs and symptoms include thick nails, whitish/grayish, yellowish – brownish discoloration of nails, brittle/ crumbled/ distorted nails, breaking of the nails and pain that gets worse by pressure or wearing shoes. Homeopathy medicine for fungal infection in nails helps strengthen the nail and gradually eliminates the infection.
Tinea Barbae – Ringworm infection of the beard, mustache area of the face and the neck is called tinea barbae.
This infection is usually contracted through contact with an infected animal. A human to human transmission is rare. Sharing articles of personal use, like shaving razors, towels with an infected person transmits the infection.
The symptoms of tinea barbae include pimples, pustules, swelling, and redness of the infected area (that includes chin, upper lip, and neck). Oozing of fluid, pus or blood, itching and pain in the lesions and crusting of the infected area may be present.
Tinea Corporis – Ringworm on the body in the form of ring-shaped or circular shaped lesions.
Under this infection, the skin in the middle of the rash is clear and healthy-looking. The rash is itchy, and blisters can appear at the edges of the lesion. In some cases, the ring-shaped lesions multiply and merge. Tinea corporis spreads through contact with an infected person or pet animal. Sharing objects like clothing or bed sheets can also spread the infection.
B) Candida Infection
Candida albicans is a type of fungi present in the human body in a small amount. The fungus only causes a problem when it multiplies and increases in number. The infection caused by this fungi is known as candidiasis.
Some of the most common Candida fungi infections include:
Oral Thrush – An oral thrush is an infection of Candida albicans inside the mouth or on the tongue. Its commonly seen in infants, older adults and people with low immunity. The symptoms include white, creamy or yellow patches on the tongue, inner cheeks, roof of the mouth, tonsils, and gums. Redness, burning, soreness, and pain in the mouth, cracks at the corners of the mouth and a bad taste in the mouth may also be present. Swallowing can become painful if the infection spreads to the throat. Infants can become irritable and have difficulty in feeding if infected. Homeopathic medicine for fungal infection in the mouth helps treat oral thrush and its symptoms.
Vaginal Candidiasis – Vaginal candidiasis is also more commonly known as a vaginal yeast infection. It is caused by the fungi candida, which is normally present in the vagina in a small amount. It causes vaginal candidiasis when it grows to an abnormal amount.
The infection tends to develop as a result of a weak immune system, intake of oral contraceptive pills, uncontrolled diabetes and use of extensive antibiotics.
The symptoms of vaginal candidiasis include itching, burning, irritation, redness, and swelling in the vagina along with a thick white discharge (which looks like cottage cheese). A burning sensation in the vagina during intercourse and urination is also present.
Diaper rash – A red rash that develops on the buttocks of a baby due to use of diapers is known as a diaper rash.
There are many reasons for a diaper rash, but a candida infection is one of the most common reasons. The warm and moist areas between a diaper and a baby’s skin serve as a favorable environment for the growth of fungi.
The symptoms of a diaper rash include a raised rash on the skin of the buttocks. It can also develop on the thighs and genital area. The rash is painful and tender to touch and gets worse on washing. Other skin eruptions like pimples, blisters or pustules can also appear on the rash. The child may be irritable.
Tips to Manage Fungal Infections on Skin
- Avoid sharing other person’s towels, objects like combs, brushes, blankets
- Avoid walking barefoot in locker rooms or other public places
- Avoid wearing tight clothing and synthetic clothing
- Keep the affected area dry and clean
- Try losing weight if overweight
- Blood sugar levels should be checked and maintained regularly