5 Risk Factors That Make You Vulnerable to Fungal Infections

A lot of people are familiar with infections or diseases caused by viruses and bacteria. However, many do not know that fungi can also cause a lot of problems, particularly on your skin. The itchy reddish spots with a white center on your elbows and thighs or the cause of your smelly feet could be some pesky fungi.

Fungal infections, particularly ringworm, nail fungus and Athlete's foot, are fairly common and easy to spread. A member of you family could spread fungal skin problem just by touching you or sharing personal effects with you, such as towels, shoes and slippers. What's more, these skin problems are usually very hard to eliminate because the roots of the fungi go deep into your skin.

Although fungal woes are easy spread, there are some people who are more prone to getting this problem than others. Read on to know what your fungal risk factors are.

1. Medical Conditions

Persons who are suffering from cancer and metabolic problems, such as diabetes, are at a higher risk of getting fungal infections than average people. Those who have depressed immune system are also more susceptible. If you have autoimmune diseases, including AIDS, then your antibodies may not be able to combat fungal infections properly. Undergoing chemotherapy and radiation therapy can also make your immune system weak, so you are more prone to having skin infections due to fungi. Lastly, people with diabetes are highly at risk because their blood sugar levels are high and fungi need sugar to grow.

2. Antibiotic Use

Medications or drugs, such as antibiotics, which are intended to eliminate disease-causing bacteria, may also promote the proliferation of fungal skin problems. When you take antibiotics, even good bacteria living on your skin and inside your body are also eliminated. As a result, fungi can take advantage of the situation and scramble to take root in certain parts of your body.

3. Environmental Factors

Heat and moisture are some of the things that fungi need in order to grow. Just leave a damp wood for a few days and you will see that mushrooms, which are an example of fungi, will soon sprout on them. The same is true with fungal infections. The areas in your body which are prone to heat and moist, like your armpits, toes, and crotch, also serve as good breeding grounds for fungi colonies. During summer, when the weather is warm, make sure that you change clothes regularly and allow your feet, armpits and other sweaty areas in your body to breathe or get ample ventilation.

4. Corticosteroid Use

Corticosteriod drugs are used to help ease inflammation. There is no doubt that such medications are effective in providing remedies for a lot of skin problems. However, they can also harm your immune system, which can ironically make you more prone to getting fungal problems.

5. Hereditary Factors

Unfortunately for some, genetic factors make them more prone to certain conditions, including fungal woes. Their genetic makeup increases their risk of being exposed to fungal infections compared to other people. Experts, however, are not sure if it has something to do with the chemistry of the skin or simply with one's immune response.

If you happen to find yourself suffering from nail fungus, what you need to do first is boost your immunity. Increase your consumption of vegetables and fruits to make your body stronger in fighting fungi. Next, use an anti-fungal system, such as Somasin, that works both from the inside and the outside in eliminating the infection.

Just visit http://www.somasin.com/ for more details.

Janet Martin is an avid health and fitness enthusiast and published author. Many of her insightful articles can be found at the premiere online news magazine http://www.thearticleinsiders.com