Get rid of the fungus – effectively and forever

Most often, sore throat is caused by bacteria: staphylococci and streptococci. But sometimes fungi, most often from the genus Candida , become the cause of the disease . Treatment of each type of sore throat requires a special approach.     

Causative agents of the disease

Candida fungi are always present in the body. They become pathogenic only if special conditions are created for this. It is considered to be the provoking factors: 

• insufficient maturity of the immune system in young children; 
• state of immunodeficiency;
• chronic diseases that weaken the body;
• diabetes mellitus and other diseases of the endocrine system; 
• treatment with antibiotics, immunosuppressants, steroids, as well as chemotherapy for oncological diseases;  
• alcohol abuse, heavy smoking.

Symptoms of fungal sore throat

In general, fungal angina proceeds in a milder form, does not develop so quickly. Symptoms, usual for sore throats, are less pronounced , the temperature does not rise so much. Fungal sore throats are characterized by:     

• moderate weakness;
• headache ; 
• temperature rise to 37.5 ° -38 °; 
• discomfort when swallowing, sore throat; 
• swollen lymph nodes.

On the swollen, reddened tonsils, you can see a yellowish or whitish coating, similar to particles of cottage cheese. If you try to remove this plaque with a cotton swab, you will find a shiny, dark red surface underneath . Sometimes, after removing the plaque, a bleeding wound surface remains.    

Plaque can spread to the tissues surrounding the tonsils: uvula, pharynx, soft palate. 

Treatment of fungal sore throat

Treatment for fungal sore throat includes ingestion of antifungal drugs, gargling, or inhalation. To rinse use Miramistin , Chlorhexidine, decametoxine , Geksoral and other drugs.      

During treatment, you should avoid eating sugar and sweets.   

Only a doctor can correctly determine the type of sore throat. You cannot self-medicate, since each type of disease requires a special approach. 

Inflammation of the maxillary sinuses is called sinusitis. Depending on the type of pathogen, the disease can be fungal or bacterial.

Fungal sinusitis

Fungal sinusitis is a fungal infection of the maxillary sinus. Domestic plants, among other things, can provoke the appearance of the disease. The fact is that certain indoor flowers release microscopic spores into the air, which can easily enter the body by inhalation, causing unpleasant consequences.  

If the immune system is not weakened, the body can protect a person from inflammation. This happens in most cases. However, with reduced immunity, diabetes mellitus, bronchial asthma, bronchospasm, pulmonary insufficiency, etc., the risk of infection with a fungus increases.

One of the frequent causative agents of the disease is a mold from the genus Aspergillus – Aspergillus niger (Aspergillus black). This is one of the most dangerous fungi, which is also colloquially called black mold. It is present in various places – flowers, soil, often grows on walls in damp, poorly ventilated rooms.

Often, when the fungus enters the body, edema of the mucous membrane and allergies appear. In this case, the sinus fistula narrows, and mucus begins to accumulate in it. The presence of mucus and fungus causes infection and inflammation. The patient may have dark discharge from the nose. The most dangerous is the invasive introduction of mold into the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses.

By the way, in addition to plants and soil, the fungus can also be present inside children’s rubber toys, which are often lying around in bathrooms. Moisture ingress through shallow openings and poor ventilation leads to the growth of mold in them.

Sinusitis treatment

As a rule, the treatment of sinusitis caused by a fungal infection is carried out with the use of antifungal drugs. Taking antibiotics in this case is inappropriate. With a fungal infection, they simply will not help. You also need to understand that the destruction of bacteria leads to an imbalance in the body between the bacterial and fungal flora in favor of the latter, and this increases the risk of developing a fungal infection.

In some cases, removal of fungal growths in the maxillary sinuses can be performed surgically. For this, an endoscope is used – a device at the end of which a miniature television camera is fixed.

Fungal infection of the maxillary sinus requires immediate medical attention. Lack of emergency care, especially with invasive mycosis, can give complications to the eye and brain. The growth of the fungus occurs very quickly.

A clean house is a guarantee of health

It is important to inspect your home for the presence of fungus. Mold often appears on the walls, ceiling, floor, under wallpaper, etc. If traces of it are found, it is necessary to treat the affected surfaces with special compounds. Currently, there is a wide selection of antifungal agents in hardware stores that do an excellent job.

If the fungus is found under wallpaper or other non-base coatings, they should be removed and the surface treated. And only after that you can carry out a new finish. Now on sale there are finishing materials (wallpaper, etc.) with an antifungal coating, as well as household and repair consumables (adhesives, paints, etc.) containing an antifungal agent.

By the way, contrary to popular belief, fungi do not live in water. But for their existence they need a nutrient medium and moisture. Therefore, they often appear on damp wooden walls or in the external ear canal (with prolonged moisture in it), for example.

Bacterial sinusitis

The development of bacterial sinusitis takes place against the background of a microbial infection entering the sinus. There are many reasons for the appearance of an acute bacterial process in the maxillary sinus. Inflammation can be provoked by:

• Inaccurate filling of the upper jaw tooth with damage to the maxillary sinus.
• Polyps.
• Narrowing of the anastomoses.

However, one of the most common causes of bacterial sinusitis is a runny nose. Normally, the contents of the paranasal sinuses flow freely into the nasal cavity and out. During a runny nose, inflammation occurs and the mucous membrane swells. In this case, the sinus fistula narrows (or even overlaps). Mucus begins to accumulate in it and bacteria actively multiply.  

Typical Symptoms of Sinusitis

• Pain when tapping on the face – in places where the sinuses are located.
• Increased body temperature.
• Headache . 
• Purulent discharge from the nose.
• Loss of smell.

Lack of treatment can lead to serious complications, including the breakthrough of purulent contents from the sinus into the brain.

How to eliminate inflammation?

To treat sinusitis caused by a bacterial infection, your doctor may prescribe:

• Antibiotic use.
• Nasal drops with hormone.
• Rinsing the nose with saline.

If sinusitis is chronic, you need to find out the cause of its appearance. It could be an infection that doesn’t respond to antibiotic treatment. In this case, the correct seeding is selected.

If the disease arises due to any anatomical problem (a crooked nasal septum or narrow sinus fistulas), sinusitis is surgically treated. In the first case, the nasal septum is leveled, in the second – the excretory ducts are expanded – endoscopically with further washing of the dilated anastomoses with an antibacterial drug.

By the way, the use of punctures for the treatment of sinusitis is an outdated procedure. Today, a new method is increasingly used – balloon sinusoplasty . Treatment is carried out under local anesthesia without anesthesia.

The essence of the method is as follows. Through the nasal cavity, a thinnest conductor is introduced into the affected sinus, at the end of which there is a deflated balloon and a small television camera. When the probe enters the maxillary sinus, the balloon is inflated, which expands the anastomosis and allows the contents to flow freely outward. Finally, the sinus cavity is flushed with antibiotics.

After treatment, the doctor may prescribe the patient a short nasal lavage (for example, saline with the addition of one or another antibiotic). You can wash yourself at home.

Angina is a common childhood disease. In medical language, it is called acute tonsillitis, and most often it is caused by bacteria. Various staphylococci and streptococci can easily get on the nasopharyngeal mucosa and cause inflammation. However, in addition to pathogenic bacteria, fungi can also cause angina. Including those that are guilty of vaginal thrush and nipple candidiasis.

Such fungal diseases – pharyngomycosis , laryngomycosis , candidal tonsillitis – are difficult to cure. Here’s what parents need to know about these diseases.

Tonsillomycosis and other mycoses of the throat

The causative agents of infection are most often fungi of two groups: yeast-like Candida albicans and molds from the genus Aspergillus . Less commonly, inflammation develops due to the marsupial fungi of saccharomycetes.

Tonsillomycosis , it is also fungal tonsillitis or fungal tonsillitis, is a rare disease. Although it seems rather strange: many have heard about fungal sore throat.

As a rule, people without medical education take pharyngomycosis for fungal sore throat . It is also caused by mushrooms. With this very frequent infection, damage to the entire mucous membrane of the pharynx develops, and mycosis of the oral cavity often joins.

There is also a separate mycosis of the oral cavity, most often it occurs in infants in the form of candidiasis. It usually occurs as a consequence of a maternal infection – thrush, which can affect not only the vaginal mucosa, but also the nipples of the breast. From there, the fungi are transmitted to the baby, causing inflammation.  

Oral candidiasis can develop into a more extensive lesion. In case of candidiasis, everyone needs to be treated – a baby, mom and even dad, since thrush in men can occur with mild symptoms.  

And if we are talking about true fungal sore throat, tonsillomycosis , then the fungal infection is detected only in the tissues of the tonsils. And this is rare, as disease-causing fungi are quite aggressive.

Causes of fungal sore throat

The fungal flora is part of the normal microflora of the mucous membranes, and the throat too. But usually fungi, present in small quantities on the tonsils, do not cause candidal plugs in the tonsils. Our immune defense is excellent at controlling the number of opportunistic organisms and limiting their activity.

In addition, saliva, which is constantly produced by the salivary glands, is a natural antiseptic that washes the pharynx (if there is no inflammation in the mouth and there is enough saliva).

Therefore, the main causes of candidal tonsillitis in children are imbalance of microflora and weakening of immunity. What most often provokes fungal sore throat?

• Random use of antibiotics
• Improper diet, deficiencies of nutrients, vitamins, minerals.
• Long-term use of hormonal drugs (from the group of corticosteroids).
• Congenital or acquired immunodeficiency in a child.
• Gastroesophageal disease (GERD) in babies, according to studies, changes the acid-base balance in the esophagus and the pharyngeal mucosa, which also becomes a factor in increasing the number of fungi – they like an acidic environment.
• And the most common reason is the enthusiasm for rinsing with antiseptic and antibacterial drugs, both during throat diseases and in the form of mouth rinses instead of or together with brushing teeth.

Symptoms of candidal sore throat

For healthy people around, a person with fungal sore throat is not dangerous: fungi are not transmitted that way. Unless, of course, we are talking about a situation in which a sick baby shares his pacifier, food, rattle or toothbrush with a healthy one. This must be strictly suppressed.

Fungal infection is manifested by a characteristic clinical picture, the so-called “thrush on the tonsils.” It can be one-sided or two-sided.

• With candidiasis, flakes and / or white bloom are visible on the glands, which are easily scraped off. Sometimes inflamed ulcerations are found under it. If the cause is mold, then the plaque will have a yellowish color and ductility.
• The mucous surfaces of the pharynx are red and edematous. You can see the detachment of the superficial epithelium in the affected areas.

Although fungal sore throat is quite characteristic symptomatology, when making a diagnosis, it must be differentiated from other diseases.

Pharyngomycosis is most similar to such a disease , in which a white coating is visible on the tongue and all mucous membranes of the throat.

The second disease that parents can mistake for tonsillomycosis : lacunar tonsillitis. With it, extensive white or yellowish areas are also formed on the tonsils – accumulations of purulent secretions in the lacunae of the glands.

In addition to changing the type of tonsils, fungal tonsillitis in a child is accompanied by:

• sore throat, babies may complain that the throat is “scratched”;
• subfebrile temperature;
• sore throat, sometimes radiating to the ear;
• a general worsening of the condition with aches, muscle pain – children are capricious, cry, hold on to their throats, refuse to eat, sleep poorly.  

Chronic candidal tonsillitis can be asymptomatic and only appear on examination.   

Important: fungal tonsillitis often turns into pharyngomycosis , candidal stomatitis. It is important to get a diagnosis and start treatment quickly to keep the infection from spreading.

A complication of the disease can be secondary bacterial infections due to injury to the mucous throat, systemic mycoses, mycotic eczema, allergies and recurrent tonsillitis, which occurs every 1-1.5 months (this is associated with the life cycle of fungi). 

Treatment of fungal sore throats in children

Children are treated with local and systemic drugs.

• Children over three years old can be prescribed a gargle with fungicidal formulations, and in addition, a weak alkaline solution of baking soda. For children younger or those who cannot gargle, it is recommended to lubricate the affected areas (usually before bedtime).
• For topical treatment solution used Lugol , 5% – ny solution of silver nitrate, terbinafine , natamycin , levorin , clotrimazole – preparations with complex antiseptic and antifungal activity. The usual antiseptics, which are recommended for tonsillitis and tonsillitis, will not help in this case.
• If a child develops a fungal infection against the background of immunodeficiency, severe diabetes mellitus, or has a pronounced chronic form, systemic drugs are indicated – fluconazole, ketoconazole , terbinafine .

All drugs have a number of age restrictions, and they are taken only as directed by a doctor. It is important to know that the duration of treatment for fungal sore throat is two to four weeks. And although a clear improvement in the condition is noticeable after 5-7 days after the onset, it is impossible to interrupt the course of treatment in order to prevent relapse of the disease.

Pneumonia is a serious disease in which an inflammatory process develops in the lung tissue. It is a very common disease: more than 400 million cases of pneumonia are recorded annually in various countries of the world. Unfortunately, despite the development of medical science in 7 million cases, pneumonia ends in the death of the patient.

Community-acquired pneumonia: basic facts

A feature of pneumonia is that a lot depends on where this disease began: the type of pathogen, manifestations of the disease and treatment tactics. Most often, the disease begins outside the hospital (at home, on a trip, on vacation), then they talk about community-acquired pneumonia. If signs of pneumonia appeared in a patient during treatment in a hospital for a completely different disease or after surgery, then hospital pneumonia occurs . The second option is much more difficult, since it occurs most often in weak or bedridden patients. The fight against such pneumonia is a big medical problem for any state. 

Community-acquired pneumonia can be caused by infectious or non-infectious causes, with the former accounting for the vast majority of cases. There are four main types of pneumonia pathogens: bacteria, atypical flora, viruses and fungi.

Most often, community-acquired pneumonia is caused by bacteria and atypical microorganisms. The leader among all pathogens is pneumococcus. It is the cause of pneumonia in 30-50% of patients. Also, an important role belongs to atypical pathogens (respiratory mycoplasma, chlamydia and legionella ), the frequency of their involvement in the occurrence of pneumonia is 8-30%. More rare causative agents of this disease include Haemophilus influenzae, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella, or Escherichia coli.

The choice of drugs for the treatment of bacterial pneumonia is made by the doctor based on which pathogen is most likely involved in its occurrence. Given the bacterial nature of the inflammation, antibiotics will be the main consideration in the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia. The doctor determines which of them to give preference depending on the characteristics of the clinical course of the disease (for different pathogens there are small differences in the picture of the disease) and on the results of sputum analysis for sensitivity to antibiotics. 

However, in more rare cases, the patient may develop fungal or viral pneumonia. Each of these diseases has its own characteristics.

Viral pneumonia

Viral pneumonia is most commonly caused by the following pathogens:

• Influenza virus.
• Parainfluenza virus.
• Adenoviruses.
• RS viruses.
• Herpes virus.

In its pure form, viral pneumonia occurs most often in childhood (more than 85% of cases). In adult patients, a viral infection in most cases greatly weakens the body, reduces the activity of the immune system, and against its background bacterial pneumonia develops.  

Inflammation of the lungs of a viral nature usually has a rapid course and develops against the background of an already current acute respiratory viral disease. At first, the patient is worried about fever, runny nose, dry cough, weakness, pain in muscles and joints. Suddenly, on the 3-4th day, there is a sharp deterioration in the general condition: chest pain appears, cough intensifies and symptoms of general intoxication (fever, weakness, aches). While bacterial pneumonia immediately begins with a fever, cough and chest pain.

Sputum in viral pneumonia is secreted in small quantities, it is transparent and odorless. For bacterial pneumonia, the purulent character of sputum is characteristic: it has a white or green color and an extremely unpleasant sweetish odor.

The results of X-ray and laboratory tests in both cases will also differ. And this is extremely important for the correct diagnosis of the cause of the disease. After all, the main drugs for the treatment of bacterial pneumonia are antibiotics, and viral ones are antiviral agents. The lack of proper treatment can lead to very sad consequences, so it is advisable to hospitalize all patients with signs of viral pneumonia.

Fungal pneumonia

Fungal pneumonia is a severe lung disease that normally does not develop in young and healthy people. In the majority of the population, fungi of such genera as Aspergillus , Candida , Pneumocystis live in the respiratory tract, but do not cause any harm, since they are a conditionally pathogenic flora. For the occurrence of fungal pneumonia, a certain background is needed, in which local immunity, which usually easily copes with a fungal infection, is unable to fight it.

Therefore, this type of lung pneumonia develops in people with congenital or acquired immunodeficiency or severe diseases of the bronchopulmonary system. Potential patients with fungal pneumonia include people suffering from malignant neoplasms who have undergone radiation or chemotherapy; patients forced to take immunosuppressants, corticosteroids or cytostatics for a long time , as well as having HIV infection. Also at risk are patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchiectasis, with neoplasms of the respiratory system.

The manifestations of fungal pneumonia are often erased and are associated with the disease that led to a decrease in immunity. Prolonged fever, cough with fetid sputum, shortness of breath, etc. are characteristic. Fungal pneumonia is very difficult to treat, often causes various complications and is often the cause of death of patients.

However, modern antifungal agents have significantly improved the prognosis for patients with fungal pneumonia. Treatment of such patients most often takes place in the intensive care unit of a hospital.

Any pneumonia is a serious disease that requires compulsory treatment under the supervision of a doctor. You cannot rely on traditional methods, herbs and homeopathic remedies, especially when it comes to children, elderly and pregnant women. After the course of treatment, it is necessary to conduct a control X-ray examination, and if it does not reveal inflammatory changes in the lungs, the disease is considered cured.

Otomycosis , or fungal otitis media, is a fairly common phenomenon. According to doctors, approximately every fifth inhabitant of the Earth is susceptible to various kinds of fungal infections, and about 27% of children and almost 19% of adults suffer from otomycosis .

Of course, fungal infections are most often associated with nails, but fungi have a wide range of activities. Therefore, it is extremely important to know the symptoms of the disease and what its prevention is based on.

Why does fungal otitis media occur?

The traditional cause of fungal otitis media is certain types of microorganisms, in particular, molds or yeast-like fungi of the genus Candida , which have multiplied in the ear. Their harmful activity provokes the development of otomycosis , expressed in the form of ear inflammation. Usually, uninvited guests settle on the surface of the auricle, external ear canal, eardrum, and in the middle ear cavity. The most comfortable area for the fungus to stay is the external auditory canal, here all the conditions for life are: humid, warm, permanent air circulation.

Why does not every person develop fungal otitis media ? In most people, the immune system builds a competent line of defense and does not allow fungi to settle freely: the skin of a healthy person produces a special substance in the form of a lubricant, and it blocks access to harmful microorganisms. If, for some reason, the substance is not produced, and this happens against a background of skin microtraumas or inflammation, then the protective barrier disappears, microbes rush to the vulnerable area and otitis media gradually develops. In this regard, doctors often warn that you should not clean your ears with cotton swabs and especially other improvised means – this is a direct way to provoke the development of an infection.  

However, there are other factors that contribute to the increased activity of mold fungi, for example, allergies, impaired metabolism, skin eczema in the auricle, diabetes mellitus and reduced immunity. Experts say that one of the main reasons for the appearance of fungal otitis media is the haphazard use of hormonal drugs and antibiotics. Many medicines are dispensed without a prescription, and this leads to their uncontrolled use: without a doctor’s prescription and even without special need. Such promiscuity negatively affects the state of the intestinal microflora and skin, and where it is thin – there it breaks.  

Moreover, not all patients, with the initial signs of otomycosis, turn to doctors, believing that they can independently cope with the disease with ointments or drops. This is a fundamentally wrong approach: the infection only intensifies, the course of the disease becomes more complicated and often turns into a chronic stage.

Symptoms of fungal otitis media

Fungi, or rather their spores, surround us everywhere, move freely, settle on different areas of the skin, and then penetrate the body and firmly settle there. Unfortunately, they are not always visible to the naked eye.

Symptoms otomycosis quite characteristic, and should listen to yourself if you experience the following symptoms:

• Itching in the infected ear. Sometimes it can stop, but after a while it appears again
• Increased formation of sulfur plugs
• Dizziness and headache attacks
• The auricle has become hypertrophied
• A feeling of stuffiness in the ear and decreased hearing
• Specific odorless , yellowish, brown, or grayish discharge 
• If the fungus is located shallowly, then crusts, plugs and small liquid discharge may form in the visibility zone.
• If the disease has reached the acute phase, then an increased temperature signals this, the ear mucosa swells.

These symptoms are expressed weaker or brighter, depending on the coverage area of ​​the affected area and the course of the disease.  

Prevention and treatment of otomycosis

The primary and main prevention of otomycosis is a strong immunity, to maintain which one should go in for sports, have good rest and eat right. Vitamin therapy fits into the same concept, but you should first consult a doctor.

The main thing with a disease is not to delay the medical examination, because only a doctor can give a complete diagnosis of the disease and prescribe the correct treatment. The doctor will also examine the condition of the auricle and eardrum for infiltrates and perforations in the membrane.

To begin with, they will take samples of ear discharge for laboratory testing to determine the cause of the inflammation and the nature of the fungus. Otherwise, the treatment will be prescribed incorrectly, and, therefore, will not have the desired effect. The fact is that completely different preparations are needed for mold and yeast-like fungi. In addition, there is always a risk of bacterial infection, which also requires the use of separate drugs (antibiotics).

A laboratory study can tell which specific antifungal drug is most effective in a given situation, and then the treatment will be most effective.

Therapy for fungal otitis media is based on both local preparations and medications for oral use. It is important to understand that the treatment of such an infection, first of all, is complex. It is necessary not only to cure the disease, but to conduct a kind of revision of the body, identify its weak points and control them for a long time (in order to prevent infection). To do this, the attending physician may recommend visiting an immunologist, allergist or endocrinologist. 

Treatment of otomycosis is traditionally carried out in a continuous course without interruption, strictly according to the schedule established by the doctor. After the course is completed, you should visit the doctor again to take control cultures for microflora and make sure that the disease has receded. If there is a slight activity of fungi, the doctor will recommend to extend the course of treatment so that the otomycosis does not turn into a chronic sore.

During the period of therapy, the ears should be protected from moisture ingress: a moist environment is considered an ideal condition for fungal activity.

Fungal infections (mycoses) are not uncommon in childhood. Kids bring them from kindergarten, sandbox, school and various circles. Mycoses account for up to 40% of all visits to a dermatologist. It would seem that a fungal infection is not such a terrible disease and, as a maximum, it will end with a deformation of the nail or a slight itching of the skin.

However, few people know that if the problem is not treated in time, serious complications can arise. For example, rubrophytosis provokes the development of allergic reactions, reduces the activity of the immune system and can lead to damage to internal organs.

The fungus is to blame

Rubrophytosis is a disease that affects the skin of the feet, inguinal folds, hands, as well as the nail plate. Its causative agent is the fungus Trichophyton rubrum . It multiplies by dividing cells, affecting exclusively the upper keratinized layers of the skin.

In 2020, scientists from the University of Medicine and Pharmacy named. Juliu Hatieganu was presented a study on the prevalence of fungal pathogens.  

They analyzed over 350 samples from 322 patients. Trichophyton rubrum was found in 69.8% of patients, and less often Microsporum canis and Candida were found much less frequently.  

Rubromycosis is a very contagious disease: you can pick up the fungus through contact with a sick person or using common household items. That is why children are often infected in kindergarten or school.   

Other factors that increase susceptibility to infection include:

• wearing tight shoes and clothing made of synthetic fabrics;
• non-observance of hygiene rules (especially in public places – baths, saunas, swimming pools, etc.);
• recently transferred ARVI, flu and childhood infections;
• long-term use of antibiotics and cytostatics ;  
• congenital or acquired immunodeficiency;
• diabetes;
• obesity.

Rubrophytic symptoms: what to look for?

The disease develops gradually: not all parents immediately notice changes in the child’s skin or nail plates. After the incubation period ends (its duration reaches several months), all the nail plates are simultaneously affected.

With rubrophytosis, the nails begin to crumble, deform, yellow-brown stripes appear on them. Sometimes there are cases of complete rejection of the plate: this distinguishes rubrophytosis from some other fungal diseases.

Examination of the child’s feet reveals dry, edematous and reddened skin. The grooves and pattern become clearer and more pronounced. After a while, profuse peeling appears, which intensifies after taking a shower or bath. In children, painful erosions form at the site of redness – wounds with serous discharge, which are often injured.

On the skin of the hands, rashes appear as a result of self-infection – the transfer of fungal flora from the feet or nail plates. Symptoms are less intense: only small cracks and flaking are formed. 

In children under 3 years of age, the process is often localized in the area of ​​skin folds Swollen, red and painful rashes cause the baby discomfort and can cause restless behavior.

Not just a fungus: possible complications

Rubrophytosis is an infection that can easily become generalized. It often occurs in weakened children with impaired immune systems. On the skin of the limbs, and then on the trunk, multiple ring-shaped rashes appear, which form fancy garlands or arcs. The disease worsens in the warm season.

A little less often, large painful nodes are formed on the skin, prone to peripheral growth. They can ulcerate and even bleed, resembling externally malignant neoplasms.

Ulcers and erosions that form during rubrophytosis are the gateway for various infections. Staphylococcal flora often joins: this is accompanied by the appearance of multiple painful pustules and deep skin cracks, which heal only when using antibacterial ointments.

Do not forget about the cosmetic aspects: a deformed and damaged nail plate looks unaesthetic and can be a cause for concern.

Diagnostics: when to see a doctor?

The appearance of any rash on the skin or the surface of the nail plates is a reason to visit a dermatologist. External signs of rubrophytosis are specific: often a routine examination is enough to confirm the diagnosis and begin treatment. 

As additional examination methods, skin scraping and bacteriological culture (to identify concomitant microflora) can be prescribed.

It is necessary to differentiate rubrophytosis in children with eczema, skin tuberculosis, psoriasis or systemic lupus erythematosus.  

Rubrophytosis treatment: main aspects

Local therapy consists in treating the skin with antifungal drugs in the form of ointments, gels, shampoos. In case of damage to the nail plates, agents in the form of varnishes are prescribed: they penetrate deeper.  

The generalized form of rubrophytosis is an indication for the use of systemic antifungal drugs in the form of tablets.

Prevention of rubrophytosis

Since all fungal diseases are transmitted mainly by contact, certain recommendations must be followed to prevent infection.

• use individual rubber slippers when visiting baths, saunas or swimming pools;
• teach the child to play only with their toys;
• handle all toys regularly and wash clothes frequently;
• follow the hygiene measures in the school or kindergarten (whether cleaning and disinfection of the premises is carried out, how often it happens);
• once a week, examine the child’s skin and nails in order to identify changes in time.

Fungal infection of the feet (mycosis) is the most common skin disease. One of its types is the so-called athletic foot, or athlete’s foot, a condition where an infection affects the skin between the toes or other areas of the foot (arch, sole). The disease, most often observed in athletes (hence its name), is often found in people far from sports. How does the infection occur, how to treat the disease and can infection be avoided?

Disease symptoms

Athlete’s foot – mycosis caused by fungi of the genus Trichophyton or Candida, which affect the upper layer of the skin of the legs. The infection can spread to the entire foot, but the gaps between the toes, especially between the 4th and 5th, are most susceptible to infection, since it is these places where moisture and heat are concentrated that provide the most favorable environment for the growth of fungi.

Symptoms of the disease appear as:

• redness and flaking of the skin;
• itching and burning;
• cracks;
• pain and bleeding in severe lesions.

Launched mycosis can spread to the nails and cause their fungal infection – onychomycosis or provoke a bacterial infection and cause serious complications. Therefore, at the first symptoms of the disease, it is immediately necessary to start treatment.

Infection routes and risk factors

Dermatophytes , or skin fungi, love warm and humid places that are a good breeding ground for them. Therefore, infection most often occurs in swimming pools, saunas, baths, sports locker rooms, when an unprotected foot comes into contact with a surface infected with a carrier of the fungus. And infection of wet surfaces in such places is very likely due to the large number of people visiting these establishments. Infection can also occur through direct contact with the carrier of the infection or when using shared towels, shoes, any objects that were in contact with feet affected by the fungus.

Factors contributing to the development of an athletic foot are:

• Shoes that are narrow or made of artificial materials that do not breathe well, that is, it makes it difficult to ventilate the foot.
• Socks and stockings made of artificial fabrics.
• Previously transferred fungal diseases.
• Long stay of feet in water.
• Increased sweating of the feet.
• Reduced immunity (eg, diabetes).  

Experts also note that men are more susceptible to fungal infection (they become infected more often than women) and the elderly: young and middle-aged people are less likely to suffer from this disease.

Athlete’s foot treatment

At the initial stage of the disease, when the first symptoms appear, treatment can be carried out on your own using antifungal agents that are available without a prescription. There is a wide selection of such drugs in pharmacies. For the treatment of athletic feet, powders, ointments, aerosols and other dosage forms based on miconazole and clotrimazole should be chosen , the use of which should be long enough (from two to four weeks). Moreover, it is necessary to apply the medicine to the affected areas even after the symptoms disappear for another 1-2 weeks. Antifungal drugs can cope with the disease in 70-80% of cases. If the disease persists, a visit to the doctor is necessary to clarify the diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate treatment, possibly with the help of stronger drugs for internal use.

Despite the fact that persistent and prolonged treatment usually leads to recovery, recurrence of mycosis is nevertheless possible. They are especially likely in case of non-compliance or poor compliance with the necessary hygiene requirements. Moreover, the treatment of an athletic foot will only give results if it is accompanied by proper foot care, which is both a necessary condition for a successful fight against the disease and a preventive measure.

Prevention measures and foot care

It is easier to prevent a disease than to cure it – this old truth is important to remember in order not to become a victim of a fungal infection. In order to prevent the disease is necessary to correctly care for your feet and prevention of infection.  

Mycosis of the foot is an extremely contagious disease. Therefore, the main challenge for preventing infection is to keep fungal spores from getting on the skin.

• The main rule of prevention should be the use of individual rubber or plastic shoes (slippers, slates, etc.) when visiting baths, swimming pools, saunas and other public places where it is necessary to bare feet.
• In case of possible infection (if the feet come into contact with surfaces that may be infected), you should wash your feet with soap, wipe them thoroughly so that the skin does not remain wet, and treat with an antifungal powder.
• It is necessary to disinfect foot care tools (scissors, nail files, etc.), as well as objects and surfaces with which the feet of other family members come in contact (bathtub, shower cubicles, rugs).
• You should not use strangers or allow someone to use your personal belongings and hygiene items (foot towels, slippers, room slippers, etc.).

Taking good care of your feet will help eliminate conditions that would encourage fungal growth and athlete’s foot. Experts give the following advice on this matter:  

• Keep your feet dry and clean at all times: change wet socks and shoes, combat excessive sweating of your feet, and wear shoes and socks made from natural materials.
• After washing your feet, dry them thoroughly, paying particular attention to the interdigital space, where moisture usually accumulates. Do not wear socks or shoes until your feet are completely dry.
• Do not wear tight shoes that interfere with proper ventilation of the feet.

Spread talcum powder or antifungal powder on the inside of shoes or socks as needed to reduce moisture.

People with weakened immunity (diabetes, oncological diseases) should be especially attentive to hygiene procedures and preventive measures , since their susceptibility to infection is very high. At the first sign of a possible fungal infection, they should immediately consult a doctor. 

Breathing is a physiological process that normally does not require additional efforts from a person. Inhalation and exhalation are done automatically with the desired frequency and duration. With shortness of breath (dyspnea), a person feels chest discomfort, the frequency of respiratory movements increases, they become deeper, sometimes impetuous. In some cases, for example, after intense physical exertion, this state is quite natural, in the future breathing returns to normal. But if dyspnea worries often, appears for no apparent reason or after minimal activity, a person should visit a doctor.

Heart disease: shortness of breath on exertion and at rest

Heart disease is one of the most common causes of difficult breathing . The mechanism of development of dyspnea in this case is directly related to poor work of the myocardium or arteries. The blood, passing through the vessels of the lungs, is saturated with oxygen, and then it spreads through the heart throughout the body. If, for some reason, the organ does not cope with this task, the body tries to compensate for the lack of oxygen with more intense breathing. It is for cardiac pathologies that the so-called mixed shortness of breath is characteristic, when difficulties arise both during inhalation and exhalation. 

The most common symptom is manifested in such diseases:

• Heart defects in children.
• Coronary heart disease.
• Inflammatory diseases – myocarditis, pericarditis, endocarditis.
• Chronic heart failure.
• Arrhythmias.

For diseases of the cardiovascular system, a gradual worsening of dyspnea is characteristic. At first, shortness of breath appears on exertion, and quite intense. After that, less activity is required for the onset of a symptom, for example, breathing may become confused after a normal walk at a fast pace. And in the last stages of illness, shortness of breath occurs at rest. With severe heart failure, the so-called cardiac asthma (paroxysmal dyspnea) develops – asthma attacks during sleep caused by fluid congestion in the lungs.

Difficulty breathing: acute respiratory infections, lung disease and more

The second most common cause of shortness of breath is diseases of the respiratory system. In this case, the heart copes with its functions, but in the lungs themselves, for one reason or another, the blood is not sufficiently saturated with oxygen. That is why a person tries to take deeper and more frequent breaths.  

Dyspnea is characteristic of various acute respiratory infections, especially if the infection affects the lower respiratory tract. Dyspnea is most pronounced with bronchitis and pneumonia of various etiologies. Normally, the symptom goes away as soon as the bronchi and lungs are cleared of mucus and their swelling subsides. 

Dyspnea that occurs against the background of diseases of the respiratory system can be of several types:

• Inspiratory (difficulty breathing). Shortness of breath develops with inflammation of the trachea and bronchi, can talk about asthma, respiratory trauma and bronchitis.
• Expiratory (difficult exhalation). It manifests itself in the event that the smallest bronchi – bronchioles – are affected. The symptom is typical for severe pathologies – pulmonary emphysema and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).

If the symptom is persistent, this may indicate severe damage to the respiratory system. In particular, the following:

• Chronic inflammation, including chronic bronchitis.
• Neoplasms in the lungs.
• Tuberculosis.
• Cicatricial stenosis.
• Actinomycosis of the lungs (fungal disease).
• Silicosis (deposition of dust particles in the lungs, an occupational disease of workers in hazardous enterprises).

As in the case of heart disease, shortness of breath during exertion appears in the initial stages. For example, breathing can be disturbed even when talking or laughing. Gradually the frequency and duration of attacks increases.

Dyspnea can be a symptom of life-threatening conditions. In particular, respiratory failure occurs when:

• Ingestion of a foreign body in the respiratory tract.
• Pneumothorax.
• Croup, including true – with diphtheria.
• Toxic pulmonary edema.
• Pulmonary embolism.

With increasing respiratory failure, shortness of breath turns into dyspnea, the person’s nasolabial triangle turns blue , inhales and exhales are whistling and as difficult as possible, the consciousness is confused. In this case, the patient needs urgent medical attention.

Shortness of breath with metabolic disorders

Endocrine disorders can also cause breathing problems. If dyspnea is not associated with diseases of the heart and lungs, it can talk about such diseases:

• Diabetes.

Increased blood sugar affects the work of the cardiovascular system, so shortness of breath in this case is often a consequence of complications of the underlying disease. In addition, people with type 2 diabetes tend to be overweight. And obesity is an essential factor for the development of respiratory and heart failure. The overgrown adipose tissue compresses the organs, prevents the lungs from expanding completely, and the heart from fully contracting. Extra pounds put an additional burden on the cardiovascular system, because the myocardium has to provide a large mass of blood. Against the background of these factors, shortness of breath occurs. Dyspnea with wheezing is characteristic of diabetes mellitus – they often occur due to stagnant processes in the lungs.  

• Thyrotoxicosis (excessive synthesis of thyroid hormones).

Hyperfunction of the thyroid gland affects the work of the whole organism – the metabolism is significantly accelerated, the person is constantly in an overexcited state. Hormones affect the nervous system and affect the heart, causing tachycardia – an increased heart rate. Dyspnea with thyrotoxicosis resembles shortness of breath during exertion – the number of breaths and exhalations increases sharply, but they are not difficult, not accompanied by whistling or wheezing.

Other causes of shortness of breath

Difficulty breathing also occurs against the background of other diseases that are in one way or another associated with the respiratory system and the cardiovascular system. So, in people prone to allergies, the symptom may appear during an attack, since allergens often lead to swelling of the mucous membranes. Breathing becomes difficult, as in infectious diseases, but for some allergy sufferers it is a great threat. If the swelling does not subside in time, it can lead to suffocation. According to this principle, an attack of bronchial asthma or more severe conditions – Quincke’s edema and anaphylactic shock – develops. It is important for people prone to such severe allergic reactions to always have the necessary medication with them.

Shortness of breath can indicate different types of anemia. A group of diseases is characterized by a low content of red blood cells or a lack of hemoglobin in them, in rare cases, an irregular shape of white blood cells. Since these blood components are responsible for oxygen transport, their deficiency leads to hypoxia of varying severity. And the body is trying to compensate for it with rapid breathing.

Sometimes dyspnea is a sign of disorders of the nervous system. According to statistics, more than 70% of patients of psychiatrists and neurologists complain of this symptom. In this case, shortness of breath is not associated with any pathologies or diseases, but is a consequence of excessive suspiciousness and a high level of anxiety.

Itching is an unpleasant sensation on the skin or mucous membrane of the body. It is expressed in tingling, irritation, sometimes burning, and causes an urgent need to scratch the affected area. Most often, itching occurs when discomfort occurs on the surface of the skin due to dermatological and allergic diseases, insect bites, during the healing of wounds and burns. It also occurs in liver diseases and endocrinological disorders.

Itching in the anus and on the surrounding skin (anal) can be caused by parasites, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Often it is caused by hemorrhoids and anal fissure, weakness of the sphincter of the anus (the latter is characteristic of the elderly).   

Itching can also occur in the intimate area.

In this article, we will look at the main causes of itching, the symptoms for which you need to see a doctor immediately, and we will also analyze the treatment methods that are used for various types of itching.

Itching in adults

Itching in women

Itching during pregnancy

Itching in women during pregnancy is of two types – skin and genital itching. Each of them has its own reasons and characteristics.

Itchy skin can be caused by liver problems, which can increase the level of bilirubin in the blood.

A predisposition to itching of the skin is in those women who, before pregnancy, suffered from chronic diseases of the liver and biliary tract, had a high level of cholesterol in the blood. Eliminate itching in this case will help the appointment of permitted choleretic drugs, adherence to a special diet and drinking plenty of fluids.

Another reason for the appearance of itchy skin in women, characteristic of the second half of pregnancy, is the stretching of the skin on the chest and abdomen due to the rapid increase in their size. An unpleasant feature that many women are subject to is the appearance of scars ( stretch marks ) in places of the most severe stretching. For those who want to avoid their appearance, it is recommended to use special products, moisturizers, do a light massage of the skin, and refuse from a hot shower.

Itching in women during pregnancy can be caused by gestational diabetes. Diabetes in pregnancy is a temporary rise in blood glucose levels associated with hormonal changes. As a result of the disease, the skin suffers – it becomes dry, flaky, microcracks appear on it, through which infection can penetrate. For patients with diabetes, fungal skin lesions are also characteristic. It is possible to eliminate skin manifestations by controlling the underlying disease – diabetes. This is done by an endocrinologist.

Sometimes pregnant women complain of itching in an intimate place. In addition to uncomfortable clothes and linen, insufficient hygiene, its causes can be:

• Decreased immunity, due to which pathogenic bacteria and fungi multiply in the vagina. Symptoms of the disease in this case are discharge with an unpleasant odor or odorless itching, burning sensation when urinating.  
• Inflammation ( colpitis , vaginitis) caused by sexually transmitted diseases.
• Common diseases – diabetes, hepatitis, blood diseases.
• Stress, physical and emotional stress.

Treatment of itching in the vagina during pregnancy is prescribed by a gynecologist after examination and examination (blood sampling, smear and microflora culture).

Itching in nursing mothers

Itching of the skin and mucous membranes in women who are breastfeeding can occur for the same reasons as everyone:

• Skin diseases.
• Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver and endocrine disorders.
• Sexual infections.
• Hemorrhoids and anal fissure.

Treatment of itching in each of these cases consists in treating the underlying disease that caused it. For this, drugs are used that are approved for breastfeeding.

There is also a special reason for the appearance of itching, characteristic of the feeding period – changes in the hormonal background. By reducing the production of estrogens, which provide firmness and elasticity to the skin, it becomes dry and dull. In addition, young mothers, taking care of the baby, cannot devote enough time to caring for themselves, do not get enough sleep and get tired.

The deficiency of vitamins and microelements also affects the condition of the skin, because women pass them on to their child with milk, but they do not always make up for their losses by taking vitamin complexes. Dry skin actively peels off, itching and burning are unnerving and haunted. To get rid of dryness, it is recommended to use a local moisturizer and drink plenty of water. Hormonal changes in the body after pregnancy, its adaptation to the period of breastfeeding will be completed within a few months, and the skin will become smooth and blooming again.

Itching in men

Itching in the intimate area is a phenomenon characteristic of the stronger sex. Therefore, they often scratch their groin, and when asked about the reasons they simply say: “Itches.” In fact, there are several explanations for itching in men:

• Insufficient hygiene – a reaction on the skin appears due to the aggressive effects of urine.
• Itching in the intimate area can cause inflammation of the foreskin ( balanoposthitis ).
• Sexually transmitted infections and diseases (including genital herpes) are the cause of itching in men.  
• Pediculosis and scabies.
• Allergies (including urticaria).  

Itching in the groin and intimate area can be eliminated by:

• Compliance with the rules of hygiene.
• Wearing comfortable natural fabric underwear.
• Exceptions to the use of care products that can cause allergies
• Limitations of spicy foods in the diet.

Itching in children

Itchy skin is a common childhood problem. Its reasons may be:

• Insect bites – itching in this case is localized at the site of the bite.
• Allergies (atopic dermatitis, urticaria, diaper dermatitis) are expressed as spots, peeling, itching and redness of the skin after contact with an allergen. 
• Eczema – a chronic skin disease in which the folds of the joints, face, neck are affected. 
• Psoriasis is a disease in which overly actively formed cells of the epidermis form a thick pink layer of islets with a scaly surface on the skin. 
• Fungal skin lesions (including on the head) are usually red spots with clear boundaries, inside which the hair falls out or becomes thinner and breaks off.
• Infectious diseases (measles, rubella, chickenpox, scarlet fever) are accompanied by a rash and itching.   
• Parasites (scabies mites, lice). The scabies mite makes moves in the skin, and therefore makes the child want to scratch. Lice live in the scalp, itching occurs after their bite.
• Gneiss (seborrheic eczema) is a disease of the scalp in which yellow crusts form on the skin.

Treatment depends on the cause of the itching: symptomatic therapy is indicated for infectious diseases, antihistamines are used to eliminate allergies, ringworm is cured with antifungal agents, etc.

A common cause of itching in the anal area and in children is enterobiasis (pinworm infection). Small thin worms, crawling out at night to lay eggs in the folds of the skin, cause an intolerable urge to scratch. If hygiene is poorly maintained, a baby can become infected again by swallowing eggs with food. Pinworms are often visible to the naked eye in a child’s stool, but sometimes a swab of the skin around the anus is required. Treatment of enterobiasis with antihelminthic drugs should be carried out by all family members, regardless of whether they have manifestations of the disease. In addition to taking medication, you must observe hygiene – cut your nails short, wash your hands thoroughly, iron bed and underwear with a hot iron.  

Itching in girls can also be caused by inflammation of the genital mucosa (vaginitis) and fusion of the labia ( synechiae ). These diseases are characterized by:

• Redness and swelling
• Odorless itching or with an unpleasant odor
• Discharge from the genital tract.
• Difficulty urinating.

With vulvitis, treatment consists of prescribing local and general antibiotics, antifungal agents, anti-inflammatory drugs. It is recommended to treat the genitals with antiseptics, herbal baths. With synechia, hormonal ointments are prescribed, and in an advanced case, the labia are separated surgically.

Itching symptoms

Itching without other symptoms

More often than not, itching is not the only symptom. In some cases, they appear immediately, in others – as the disease progresses. In any case, if itching, even without other symptoms, continues for several days, it is worth consulting a specialist.

The reasons for this type of itching can be as follows:

• Allergy – sometimes itching becomes its only manifestation. With allergic (atopic) dermatitis, patients complain that the skin itches a lot, even if there are no rashes on it yet or they are mild.
• Parasitic diseases – scabies, lice (head and pubic).
• Neuroses, stress, suppressed emotional state ¬ lead to the appearance of psychogenic itching.
• Mental disorders.
• Older age – up to half of people over 70 suffer from senile (senile) itching due to dry skin.

Depending on the type of disease, the nature and strength of itching can be different: the discomfort with head lice differs from the desire to scratch due to “chickenpox”.

Itching in the vagina

Itching in the vagina is an unpleasant symptom that accompanies many diseases. It can be caused by:

• Sexually transmitted diseases.
• Fungal lesions.
• A common cause of itching in the vagina is gynecological diseases.
• Worms (pinworms crawling out of the rectum).
• Neoplasms of the mucous membrane of the genitals.
• Itching in older women is caused by hormonal changes.
• Endocrine system diseases (diabetes mellitus)

Sometimes the reason for the unpleasant sensations is extremely simple – in the pursuit of beauty, the fair sex sacrifices their health and wear uncomfortable, but spectacular synthetic underwear that bites into the body. Synthetics are a favorable breeding ground for bacteria, since the skin underneath is not ventilated.

The result of wearing such underwear is that its owners complain of an unpleasant odor, itching in the genital area, discharge – this can be both vaginosis and “thrush” (candidiasis). With candidiasis, itching in the vagina is especially unpleasant, and forces women to start treatment as soon as possible, sometimes even without a doctor’s prescription, but they are in no hurry to change their underwear for natural. This leads to a vicious circle, when the disease repeats again and again, and previously used drugs no longer work.

Itching and burning

Itching and burning can accompany various diseases.

With itching, combined with a burning sensation in the anal area, the cause can be either excessive hygiene or its neglect. Other causes – hemorrhoids, fissures – give additional symptoms in the form of a feeling of a foreign body in the intestine, blood and pain during bowel movements.

A burning sensation and the desire to scratch the skin occurs with a strong allergic reaction, such as urticaria. The appearance of the affected area is similar to that obtained with a nettle burn – hence the name of the disease.

A “burning” sensation and itching occurs with insect bites. A lump usually develops at the site of the bite . 

Genital itching combined with a burning sensation occurs in acute candidiasis in women. Patients complain of unpleasant sensations, cheesy discharge from the vagina or penis, burning sensation, especially intensifying after intercourse. Severe itching does not give rest, makes people irritable.

Itching and burning often occur as a reaction of the skin to irritation after shaving, depilation, as well as in diseases of the veins of the lower extremities, while there is swelling of the legs in the evening, varicose nodules under the skin.

Itching and redness

Itching and redness are signs of a severe allergic reaction (hives). With urticaria, blisters and itchy red blisters appear on the skin, similar to a burn of the grass of the same name. What forms of the disease are there?

• Cold – blisters appear after exposure to cold.
• Solar – a reaction to direct sunlight.
• Physical – appears after physical impact (for example, under the elastic of socks).
• Cholinergic – small, severely itchy lesions. Stress, exercise, hot baths, and food can be the cause.
• Adrenergic – there is a white rim around the blister. Itching may be absent.

Extremely dangerous for the life form of the disease – a giant hives, or swelling of angioedema. In this case, severe edema of the skin and mucous membranes develops, especially the larynx, which threatens the patient with suffocation. Sometimes exacerbation is accompanied by rashes and itching in the intimate area. Patients with acute Quincke’s edema should be under the supervision of a doctor in a hospital.  

Itching and redness are common symptoms of contact and atopic dermatitis. Therefore, if such symptoms appear and persist, you should immediately contact a specialist to prescribe treatment.

Odor and itching

Odor and itching are classic symptoms of bacterial vaginosis in gynecology. A fishy odor combined with a profuse discharge indicates the growth of harmful bacteria. Violation of the bioflora of the vagina is accompanied by itching in the intimate place, which increases during and after intercourse. Today it is generally accepted that bacterial vaginosis is not an infectious disease – it is simply a deviation from the normal proportion of microorganisms. It is determined by a smear, and the treatment consists in the destruction of pathogenic bacteria (mainly gardnerella ) and the colonization of the vagina with useful lactobacilli.

Itching in men, combined with an unpleasant odor, is also a sign of a bacterial infection, only it “lives” mainly in the folds of the skin on the head of the penis and causes diseases such as balanitis and balanoposthitis . Other causes of discharge, itching, and odor are genital infections (gonorrhea) and fungus (candidiasis).

Odor and itching can appear not only in the intimate area. For example, with kidney failure, a person’s skin can smell of urine, and itchy skin is also characteristic of this disease. With liver failure, liver odor and itchy skin may occur.

Odor and itching can also occur with bacterial damage to the wound on the skin.

Causes of itching

The presence of diseases:

Itching in the intimate area

Itching in an intimate place is a “scourge” for many adults, but not everyone will talk about this uncomfortable problem at a doctor’s appointment. Why does genital itching occur?

• Lack of hygiene.
• Uncomfortable, tight synthetic underwear.
• Endocrine system diseases.
• Sexually transmitted diseases.
• Fungal diseases.
• Vaginal dysbiosis (bacterial vaginosis) in women.
• Scabies.
• Pubic lice.
• Inflammation of the foreskin and glans of the penis in men.

Often, genital itching is the only symptom by which the presence of a disease can be suspected.

Itchy skin

The most common causes of itchy skin are:

• Dermatological diseases – psoriasis, eczema.
• Allergies, especially hives, which cause itching and redness in the form of blisters.
• Infectious diseases (chickenpox, scarlet fever, rubella, herpes, etc.).
• Parasites (scabies, lice, helminths).
• Fungal skin lesions.
• Diseases of other internal organs and systems (diabetes mellitus, diseases of the thyroid gland and adrenal glands, diseases of the liver and gallbladder, renal failure, blood diseases, mental and neurological diseases).

Itching in the anus

There are several reasons for itching in the anal area:

• Hemorrhoids and anal fissures.
• Weakness of the closing sphincter (typical for the elderly). Due to the leakage of feces, an unpleasant odor appears, itching around the anus.
• Parasitic infections are mainly enterobiasis. The worms exiting the rectum to lay eggs cause discomfort, odorless burning and itching.
• Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, accompanied by diarrhea. In this case, frequent bowel movements are accompanied by irritation in the perianal region and odorless itching.

Itching in other conditions

Why does itching occur with common diseases?

When the circulation of bile is disturbed, the amount of bile acids in the blood increases, which are toxic to the receptors located in the skin. As a result, the patient’s skin itches.

Another cause of itching is diabetes mellitus, in which blood circulation and tissue nutrition are impaired. Microtrauma appears on the skin and mucous membranes, and through them the body becomes infected with fungi and bacteria.

Multiple sclerosis causes itching due to the fact that the sheath of the nerve is disturbed, and with it the conduction of impulses. 

Itchy skin occurs with lymphogranulomatosis – an oncological disease that affects the lymph nodes. The disease contributes to the increased production of histamine, and histamine causes the urge to itch. The cause of itching in some other cancers is the squeezing of nerves or parts of the brain by the tumor.

Itching from insect bites

Itching and redness, induration and swelling are typical symptoms of an insect bite reaction. Why does the bite site itch?

• Bees, together with their sting, release poison that can kill their enemies in the wild, and in humans it only causes itching and inflammation of the surrounding tissues.
• Mosquitoes, biting a person, inject histamine, which slows down the blood flow at the site of the bite, dilates the capillaries, thinns the blood and “helps” the mosquitoes to get their portion of food with less effort. It is histamine that causes itching.
• Itching after a tick bite occurs when the tick releases saliva containing histamine. It can also indicate the development of borreliosis.

Treatment of itching after an insect bite is mainly local and is aimed at eliminating symptoms: antihistamine ointments and gels (Fenistil-gel), cooling agents (for example, menovazin), disinfectants for treating combs. 

Stress and itching

Itchy skin is often associated with stress. Why? Excitement, tension and anxiety produce substances in the brain that cause dilation of blood vessels, edema and an increase in the amount of histamine in the blood. Skin receptors react to an increase in the level of histamine, which causes an allergic reaction accompanied by itching.

Another reason for itching is a decrease in the secretion of adrenal cortex hormones, which have antiallergic effect. That is why the skin swells more, itches and turns red.

Skin contact with irritating substances

Itching and burning of the skin can be caused by irritating substances that have got on it:

• Harmful toxic substances that can cause chemical burns – aggressive acids, alkaline solutions, poisons. These chemicals are life-threatening, and therefore it is necessary to clear the skin of them as soon as possible.
• Harmless substances that are an allergen for a specific person. Treatment of itching in this case should be carried out with antihistamines, and it is best to try to limit contact with the allergen from the very beginning.

Skin trauma

Itchy skin occurs when the skin is damaged. Damage can be caused by:

• Friction causing calluses and abrasions.
• Burn.
• Mechanical injury caused by small and sharp objects.
• Cosmetic procedures (shaving).

Itching manifests itself especially vividly during wound healing, when there is a rapid growth of new nerve endings, and they, in turn, are actively irritated by a large amount of histamine secreted by the body.

Lack of regular hygiene

The banal cause of itching, and especially itching in the intimate area, is the lack of regular hygiene. What is the risk of non-compliance with the “code of cleanliness”? Natural secretions, traces of urine and feces irritate the skin and provide a breeding ground for harmful bacteria. Neglect of hygiene in women (untimely change of tampons, abuse of panty liners) is also fraught with the rapid multiplication of pathogenic microbes. Itching in the intimate area is facilitated by wearing tight, uncomfortable underwear made of synthetic materials – in addition to the fact that it presses and disrupts blood flow, synthetics do not allow the body to “breathe” and forms moist, unventilated places in the genital area.

Itching during wound healing

Severe itching is a sign of wound healing. Why do they itch? The fact is that in place of damaged tissues other cells and vessels begin to form, new nerve endings appear, and the epidermis grows. In addition, healing in the last stage – the stage of regeneration – is always accompanied by the release of histamine, which tends to irritate the nerve endings. It turns out that itching in a healing wound is the norm, and you just need to be patient for a while, avoiding injury and scratching the scar.

Itching with allergies

Itching with allergies occurs when the amount of histamine increases in the skin or on the mucous membrane, and it irritates the nerve endings in it. As a result, a person experiences discomfort and an obsessive desire to scratch. Therefore, the treatment of itching with allergies consists in the appointment of antihistamines that suppress the action of histamine, as well as the termination of contact with the allergen.

Diagnosis for itching

Diagnosis of diseases due to which itching appeared depends on its location.

For skin manifestations, you should consult a therapist and dermatologist. The first one excludes or confirms the presence of common diseases, the second one assesses the condition of the skin. If necessary, the patient is referred to an oncologist and hematologist (when there is a suspicion of lymphogranulomatosis or skin cancer). Diagnostics consists of the following steps:

• Visual examination of the body and lymph nodes. If an enlarged lymph node is found, a biopsy from it.
• General blood analysis.
• Biochemical blood test, blood glucose determination.
• General urine analysis.
• If foci and suspicious elements are found on the skin, dermatoscopy , scrapings.
• Ultrasound of the abdominal organs,

If patients complain of itching in the anus, consultation and examination by a proctologist are needed. The survey includes:

• Visual inspection.
• Finger examination
• Sigmoidoscopy – examination of the rectum and part of the large intestine using a rectoscope.
• Colonoscopy – endoscopic examination of the large intestine.
• Analysis of feces for eggs, worms and protozoa.
• Stool analysis, which determines the quality of food digestion ( coprogram ).
• Ultrasound of the abdominal organs.

When patients are worried about an unpleasant odor, itching in the genital area, pain during urination, this is a reason to contact a gynecologist (women) or urologist (men). An examination plan for itching in an intimate place includes:

• Visual inspection of the genitals.
• Microflora smear and culture with determination of sensitivity to antibacterial drugs.
• Swab for abnormal cells.
• General blood analysis.
• Blood biochemistry, determination of glucose levels.
• PCR diagnostics of genital infections.
• Blood test for HIV and hepatitis.
• General urine analysis.
• If a woman is worried about itching in the vagina, a colposcopy will be useful .

Itching treatment

Treatment of itching in the intimate area

Itching in the groin and intimate area is a consequence of the underlying disease, which means that it is necessary to cure it. In women, its causes are usually inflammatory, fungal and infectious diseases, allergies, hormonal changes. In men – genital infections, fungus, allergies. To diagnose the disease that caused itching, the doctor prescribes studies and tests, according to the results of which the method of treatment is determined:

• For genital infections – antibiotics and antimicrobial agents.
• With a fungal infection – antifungal drugs.
• For allergies – antihistamines, hormonal agents.
• If the cause of itching is hormonal age-related changes in women, agents containing estriol are prescribed.

Itching in the groin can be unbearable and cause a lot of discomfort to the patient. To get rid of it, appoint:

• Baths with potassium permanganate, decoctions of calendula, string and chamomile.
• Antihistamines for local action and for oral administration.
• Sedatives.

However, you should not choose the treatment yourself. Itching is not a disease, but a symptom indicating a particular disease. Therefore, treatment should be directed at the cause of the itching – the disease that caused it. Symptomatic treatment that does not eliminate the cause can only harm, complicating or slowing down the diagnosis and, as a result, the appointment of treatment.

Itchy skin treatment

Itchy skin can be treated by treating its cause. To do this, you need to go through consultations and examinations with several doctors: a dermatologist, an allergist, a therapist, an endocrinologist. In order for the doctor to see a reliable picture of the disease, drugs must not be used before the start of the examinations.

If the patient feels severe discomfort, treatment is prescribed to eliminate the symptoms:

• Cooling compresses, showers or baths can effectively relieve itching and burning.
• Local remedies with a slight anesthetic effect based on menthol and camphor, soothing and cooling the skin.
• Sedatives.
• Antihistamines.

At the same time, overheating, exposure to direct sunlight, physical activity must be excluded.

Treatment of itching in the anus

Various diseases can cause itching in the anus. Therefore, it can be eliminated only by curing the corresponding disease:

• Helminthic invasion.
• Diseases of the rectum – cracks, hemorrhoids, fistulas. 
• Skin diseases – eczema, psoriasis, fungal infections, lichen, scabies.
• Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
• Allergies.
• Endocrine Disorders.

The banal reason for itching in the anus – non-observance of hygiene rules, wearing uncomfortable underwear – is easily eliminated: it is enough to take a shower every day, use wet wipes after using the toilet, give preference to natural fabrics and comfortable styles in choosing underwear.

Itching caused by rectal diseases is treated with conservative suppository therapy (for example, Relief ) and venotonic drugs (for example, Detralex). In the absence of effect and a severe stage of the disease, surgical treatment is used.  

If the cause of itching is a fungal infection of the skin, ointments that are active against the fungus will help. For dermatitis, salicylic and zinc-containing ointments, coolants with an analgesic effect are prescribed, hormonal drugs ( glucocorticosteroids ) are sometimes used .

For itching in the anus caused by pinworms, special means ( Vermox , Pirantel , etc.) will help . To prevent re-infection, you must carefully follow the rules of personal hygiene, change, wash and iron underwear and bedding daily.  

When itching occurs due to endocrine disorders, gastrointestinal diseases, you should focus on their treatment, because the elimination of symptoms in this case brings only a temporary effect.

Itching prevention

Itching is a manifestation of some kind of disease, and not an independent disease. Therefore, its prevention is to prevent the causes of itching. For this you need:

• Timely treat diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, endocrine disorders.
• Identify and treat infectious and fungal skin diseases.
• To prevent parasitic infections, you should observe hygiene, wash your hands thoroughly, eat only well washed vegetables, fruits and herbs, heat-treated meat and fish.
• Undergo regular medical examinations of a neurologist, oncologist, therapist in order to identify neurological and general diseases, tumors in time.
• If severe itching is caused by an allergy, you should avoid contact with the allergen, follow a diet, organize a hypoallergenic life.
• Itching in the intimate area is a sign of genital infections and inflammatory diseases. To avoid them, you need to observe personal hygiene, have a reliable sexual partner, dress for the season, and avoid hypothermia.
• Itching caused by stress will help prevent a calm, measured lifestyle, sound and healthy sleep, and taking special sedatives.
• A balanced, healthy diet is good for the skin. It is imperative to include vegetables, herbs, lean meat and fish in the diet, and drink plenty of water.
• Almost any type of face and body skin needs moisturizing with cosmetics. To avoid itching, you should use balms, milk, cream – this is especially important after water procedures.
• To replenish the deficiency of vitamins and microelements, it is useful to use special vitamin and mineral complexes. Products containing vitamins A and E will help improve skin condition.

Itching is a kind of signal from the body. Like pain, it indicates trouble in a certain area: 

• Skin – for general and psychiatric diseases, dermatological diseases, endocrine disorders, allergies.
• Anal itching – for rectal diseases, helminthic lesions. 
• Itching in the intimate area in women – for problems in the field of gynecology. Itching in men – on diseases of andrology / urology.

Itching in the groin, on the skin, in the perianal region is treated in completely different ways. The choice of the appropriate therapy depends on the underlying disorder causing the urge to scratch.

Interestingly, these or those habits can provoke the appearance of various female diseases and problems, including candidiasis, cystitis, infertility, lack of orgasm, etc.

What can provoke candidiasis?

In the body of almost every woman there is a fungal infection, which until a certain time is in a dormant state. The presence of certain factors (habits) can lead to its activation and, as a consequence, to the development of a fungal disease, an example of which is candidiasis. Nutrition plays an important role in this process, namely: the use of simple carbohydrates (sweets), as well as yeast fermented products, such as beer or kvass. 

As you know, carbohydrates increase the level of glucose in the blood, and, accordingly, the production of glycogen by the vaginal epithelium, which creates favorable conditions for the occurrence of thrush. If we talk about beer, then it contains malt sugar, as well as yeast fermentation products, which can also give the green light to candidiasis. This is especially true for women who have previously had cases of this disease. If a woman has not previously suffered from thrush, the safe daily intake of sugary foods is approximately thirty to one hundred grams. If candidiasis occurs periodically – no more than thirty grams.

Of course, every woman’s body is different. And if for one the use of even a large amount of sweets does not cause such unpleasant consequences, then for the other, symptoms may appear even after a small piece of cake or a couple of sweets. There are many women who know this feature behind them. To solve the problem, there are two options: eliminate such foods from the diet completely, or reduce the portions consumed.

By the way, the habit of wearing tight jeans can provoke the development of a fungal infection, which is caused by constant friction in the perineum and the appearance of stagnation.

Moreover, young girls often begin to wear tight jeans from adolescence, when the pelvic bones have not yet formed. Meanwhile, this is also fraught with consequences. Gynecologists even have such an expression as “jeans basin”. A narrow deformed pelvis, which is completely non-physiological for a woman, is often the result of wearing very tight jeans.

When choosing, you need to give preference to loose jeans. Normally, the palm should pass freely between the belt and the body. This applies to both adult and children’s clothing.

Depilation: inflammation, infections

As practice shows, salon or home depilation, including shaving, opens the door for infection and can lead to various complications. One of the serious complications of depilation is bartholinitis .

In the vestibule of the vagina are two large paired glands called Bartholin’s glands. They are responsible for moisturizing the vaginal opening, including during intercourse. The Bartholin’s gland is connected to the vestibule of the vagina by a thin channel. If the infection gets inside, inflammation of the pathway may begin , accompanied by not very pronounced symptoms – pinpoint redness, discomfort.  

Inflammation of the Bartholin gland, caused by infection, disrupts the outflow of secretion due to blockage of the duct, and it begins to gradually increase in size. It all starts with a small pea-sized formation that can grow to seven to eight centimeters over time. An enlarged Bartholin gland is a medical condition that requires surgical treatment.

For safety reasons, a woman should use her own shaving razor and not be in the habit of taking her husband’s razor , for example. It is advisable to use disposable machines. The reusable machine must be treated with alcohol before use. It is better not to save on health and regularly change this personal hygiene item.  

To disinfect the genitals before depilation, you can mix fifty grams of water and two drops of tea tree oil. After depilation, you can treat the area with a mixture of tea tree oil – three drops and olive oil – twelve drops.

It has been scientifically proven that the use of poor quality toilet paper can cause various inflammations in women, including cystitis, urethritis, and the appearance of an ascending infection of the genitourinary system. Often, toilet paper is made from waste paper, which is treated with chlorine, mercury and many other hazardous agents at the production stage. Plus, dyes, fragrances, deodorizers, etc. are often added to its composition. The habit of using such paper can lead to dysbiosis, allergic complications (allergic urethritis, allergic cystitis). 

When choosing, it is better to give preference to toilet paper, not recycled, but primary processing, made from cellulose without adding any flavorings. Such paper is environmentally friendly and is usually labeled with the abbreviation PCF – Processed Chlorine Free .

What is the threat of the habit of wearing high heels?

Wearing high heels always means a lot of stress on the spine (and, accordingly, on the internal organs), veins, blood vessels, which can cause the appearance of congestion in the small pelvis. Often, even in young girls, during an ultrasound examination (ultrasound), doctors diagnose varicose veins of the pelvic organs, which negatively affects the nutrition of the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes. In addition to hormonal disorders and the formation of various kinds of tumors, congestion can cause infertility.

Shoes with high heels, stiletto heels are not intended for daily wear. You need to walk in such shoes no more than two to three hours a day. And the longer the heel, the shorter should be the time spent in the shoes. After wearing heels for a long time, it is useful to take a contrast shower, to provide the legs with an elevated position relative to the body, and to do a massage.

However, the absence of a heel is also by no means good for health, just like a high heel. An excellent option would be shoes with three to four centimeters heels with a loose, not narrow, toe.

Sleeping bed and feminine sensitivity

An improperly selected bed, pillow, mattress can also adversely affect women’s health. The spine is the exit site for most of the nerves that innervate the skin of almost the entire body, providing sensitivity in various places. Problems with the spine can sooner or later lead to a lack of orgasm, in connection with which a woman may begin to consider herself frigid.