FUNGAL INFECTIONS: Athlete's foot and jock itch are fungal infections that get their names from the fact that they tend to get picked up in gyms. Athlete's foot manifests as a rash or patch of cracked, scaly, very itchy skin. Jock itch is the same fungus spread to the groin.
Fungal infections can also affect other parts of the body. Onychomycosis, a painful fungal disease of the toenails and fingernails, particularly affects the elderly and has increased by a factor of 4 in the last 20 years. In one survey, it struck nearly half of patients over 70.
Difficult to treat fungus cases are generally a sign of systemic infection with Candida albicans. They indicate that the immune system is impaired.
DRUG TREATMENT: Antifungal creams such as Tinactin or Lotrimin are the conventional remedies for athlete's foot and jock itch. For best results, soak the feet for 10 minutes in warm salt water before applying the cream. Over-the-counter antihistamines may also give symptomatic relief.
Onychomycosis is treated with a new line of broad-spectrum oral antifungal agents which are promoted as working quickly and safely on fungal conditions. The drugs include itraconazole (Sporanox), terinafine (Lamasil), and fluconazole (Diflucan). New research indicates, however, that these drugs, too can be hazardous; and they are very expensive and need to be taken for months. The popular Diflucan has been linked to a remote but serious risk of liver damage.
NATURAL ALTERNATIVES: A popular natural anti-infective that is less toxic than drugs is colloidal silver (silver suspended in a liquid medium). It can be used topically as a spray or taken orally if the spray is insufficient to eliminate symptoms. It works in difficult cases, but like antifungal drugs, it doesn't necessarily cure the problem for good; and while it doesn't have serious reported side effects like the drugs, silver is a heavy metal, with unknown long-term effects.
Other natural topical agents that effectively kill fungi and parasites without side effects are tea tree oil and a combination Chinese product called Wo oil. Wo oil may also be used for cleaning under the nails with a scrub brush to help eliminate parasites.
Homeopathic remedies, such as FNG, can boost the immune system sufficiently to allow it to eliminate fungal infections permanently.
Be sure to dry feet and groin thoroughly after showering with a towel or low-set blow dryer (dry feet last if using a towel to avoid spreading the fungus). Put antifungal powder in shoes and on the feet, shower in sandals, change shoes and socks frequently, and wear loose-fitting cotton boxers rather than tight-fitting briefs.
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