As much as we don’t like to think about it our bodies host a variety of microorganisms, including fungi. Some of these are useful to the body, some produce no harm or benefit, and some can cause harmful infections in the skin, nails, beard, and scalp. They include mold-like fungi called dermatophytes (Greek for body plants) and yeast-like fungi (such as candida).While a healthy body ecology (maintained through diet, hydration, exercise; rest and environment) should keep these fungi in balance a number of factors can contribute to an overgrowth. These factors include the use of antibiotics, corticosteroids, some prescription drug therapies as well as chemo and radiation treatments.
The symptoms of the more common fungal infections are:
- Ringworm - ring-shaped, slightly itchy, red or pink raised patches with a clear center.
- Jock Itch - a ring-like red rash around the groin area sometimes in the form of small, painful, extremely itchy blisters.
- Athlete's Foot- itchy, scaly rash between the toes. There may be a mild irritation or cracking and peeling of the skin. The skin becomes sore and susceptible to bacterial infection.
- Scalp and Beard Ringworm -scaly, itchy patches and loss of hair in small circular patches.
- Nail Fungus - makes the nails appear dull, thickened, brittle or distorted.
- Candida - typically occurs in moist, warm areas of the body such as skin folds and diaper areas although it can cause splitting on fingers. Superficial candida skin infection appears as a red, flat rash with scalloped, sharp edges.
While Emu Oil is considered to be bio-static, meaning that it inhibits the growth or multiplication of microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, molds and fungi, it will not kill those organisms.
Emu Oil can best be used as a complimentary treatment - soothing, softening, moisturizing and encouraging healing of the area; or as an ingredient in products like our Natural Anti-fungal Cream. The real strength of the product is the use of emu oil to achieve deep penetration through the top layers of skin and nail tissue to deliver the anti-fungal ingredients.
Beware oral antifungal prescription medications such as Lamisil and Sporanox which have been associated with heart and liver damage. A prescription antifungal nail lacquer marketed under the name Penlac may be a better choice with less severe side effects – but reviews on effectiveness were luke warm.
Those with chronic fungal problems should do research on Candida overgrowth, a condition of excessive colonization in the intestinal tract by the Candida Albicans fungi. This condition can severely undermine your body’s immune system opening the way for other fungal infections and a whole range of problems. You must remember that trying to control the symptoms of a condition without understanding or addressing the factors that brought it on is always going to be an uphill battle. There is a lot of information online about Candida - most address recovery through herbal cleanses and dietary changes. My go-to company for information and products for Candida is Body Ecology.More Resources:
WebMD - Fungal Skin Infections
US National Library of Medicine - Candida Infections of the Skin
Mayo Clinic - Nail Fungus Diagnosis and Treatments