What Makes Fungal Infections Happen – Risky Conditions

Fungal infections can happen to nearly anyone when the environment is just right.

In some other cases, it’s the individual internal habitat that may affect the way a fungus develops and eventually causes ill-health.

Conditions that increase the risk of getting a fungal infection.

• Fungi grow very well in warm and humid body areas so sweaty, underarms, under breasts or groin and anal areas are prone to fungal overgrowth.

• In addition, places where a lot of people gather and which are warm and damp can harbour fungal spores.
  • Examples – gym locker rooms, communal showers – are places where walking barefoot can lead to developing a fungal infection.

• Chronic ill-health which leads to a weakened immune system can allow fungi to cause infection – stress, malnutrition, liver or kidney disease are a few examples.

• Diabetes Mellitus is a condition that is associated with an increased risk of fungal infections – especially when they occur recurrently.

• During Menopause, hormone changes cause a woman’s vagina to be less acidic and increase the risk of developing yeast infections.

• Injury to the nail or skin exposes the underlying tissues to fungal infection regardless of how small the injury may be.

• Certain medications can sometimes be associated with increased fungal infections. It may be because they weaken the immune system – like cancer drugs.

• Using corticosteroids for a long period (in treating Crohn’s disease or Rheumatoid Arthritis for example) can also lead to having fungal infections more often.
  • Asthmatics who use inhaled corticosteroids to control the condition are at an increased risk of oral thrush.
  • It is recommended (to prevent getting thrush) to rinse out the mouth with water or brush children’s teeth as soon as possible after using the steroid inhaler.

• Antibiotics can lead to the death of good bacteria at the same time they are getting rid of the bad bacteria, leaving a free playing field for fungi to overgrow.
  • Some patients may complain of thrush after completing a course of antibiotics.

Editing By AskAwayHealth

Disclaimer

All AskAwayHealth articles are written by practising  Medical Practitioners on a wide range of health care conditions to provide evidence-based guidance and to help promote quality health care. The advice in our material is not meant to replace the management of your specific condition by a qualified health care practitioner.
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Image Credits – Image by Sergio Rola from Unsplash