Mycosis of the armpits is a common dermatological pathology, the development of which affects both adults and small children.
Without proper treatment, the disease can lead to complications, so it is important to make a timely diagnosis and begin to fight the disease with drug therapy.
Types of candidiasis, photo
Armpit fungus can manifest itself in different forms, which are accompanied by the appearance of certain symptoms. There are three forms of this fungal disease:
- Linear - appears in the form of small spots and lines of a brown or pale pink hue. The skin is very flaky and itchy.
- Pink - characterized by the appearance of many pink or whitish scale-covered spots of varying sizes. Sometimes small bubbles are noticeable.
- Pityriasis - determined by the appearance of brown spots on the skin. Over time, they may change color to yellow, pink or red.
Which doctor should I contact if I have a fungus?
If you notice spots, rashes, or irritations of different colors and diameters under your armpits, you should contact a dermatologist or mycologist. If there are none at your place of residence, then contact a therapist for help, who will examine you and refer you to the right specialist.
Causes of the disease
The main cause of the disease is a decrease in immunity, which is why active growth of fungi begins. However, other factors may also influence the development of the pathological process:
- failure to comply with personal hygiene rules;
- hormonal imbalance;
- treatment with glucocorticosteroids;
- increased sweating;
- viral and bacterial infections;
- improper hair removal;
- long-term antibacterial therapy;
- inflammatory processes in the body;
- wearing clothes made of synthetic materials;
- work in dusty and dirty rooms;
- abuse of strong alcoholic drinks;
- stressful situations;
- hereditary predisposition.
Important!
Overweight people most often suffer from fungus, since moisture accumulates in the formed folds - this creates favorable conditions for the proliferation of pathogenic microorganisms.
Symptoms
Fungal infection of the armpits can be recognized at an early stage by several characteristic symptoms that cause significant discomfort to the patient. Distinctive signs of the development of the disease in adults and children are:
- redness of the skin;
- slight itching or mild burning;
- severe peeling of the skin;
- pain in the affected areas;
- the appearance of a floury plaque;
- unpleasant smell.
As the disease progresses, the patient experiences roughening of the skin, the appearance of cracks and weeping wounds. The smell becomes sharper and more intense, the itching intensifies, and the resulting wounds do not heal for a long time.
Symptoms and signs
Any fungal infection of the skin does not go away without obvious symptoms:
- the skin under the arms takes on a red tint;
- severe itching appears;
- the smell of sweat intensifies;
- microtraumas appear;
- the skin under the arms becomes hard.
Often, fungal skin infections are accompanied by a secondary infection, after which rashes and peeling appear. They can be in the form of small blisters or ulcers.
Also signs of mycosis are redness of the affected area and white plaque in the folds of the skin. In addition, there is severe itching and a sour smell of sweat. Since there is always a warm and humid environment under the armpits, the disease can develop into a complicated form without treatment.
Methods for diagnosing candidiasis
Treatment of mycosis of the armpits begins only after all the necessary tests have been completed and a diagnosis has been made. Usually this only requires a sweat sample to detect fungal spores , but in some cases the attending physician may order additional laboratory tests. Among them:
- urine analysis to detect inflammatory processes;
- biochemical blood test for sugar;
- scraping taken from the lesion.
A simple method for determining the cause of unpleasant symptoms is the Balzar test. To carry it out, the affected area is treated with a solution of aniline dyes - if the causative agent of the disease is a fungus, the colored skin will acquire a rich shade.
Creams and ointments with antimycotic action
How to cure armpit fungus if the disease brings constant discomfort and itching? You cannot do without using ointments for external use; here is a list of the most effective:
- "Clotrimazole" is available in the form of gel, cream and ointment (each product has a different concentration of the active substance). The main component is an antimycotic substance called clotrimazole. The product should be applied in a thin layer to the affected area twice a day. Reviews about the ointment are the most positive: patients note an improvement in their condition after just a few days of use.
- Lamisil is available in the form of a spray and ointment. The main active ingredient is terbinafine. There is a cheaper analogue, which is called “Terbinafine”, but, as a rule, it is not available in pharmacies.
- "Fugnoterbin" is an effective ointment that is active against almost any type of fungus.
- "Mikonorm" is an ointment that reduces the severity of itching after the first use. The main active ingredient is also terbinafine hydrochloride.
- Terbizil is another popular ointment that is effective against almost any type of fungal pathology.
How to treat?
Treatment of mycosis of the armpits is carried out with the help of medications, folk remedies, injections, antiperspirants and laser.
Medicines
To stop the growth of pathogenic microorganisms, the patient is prescribed medications in tablet form:
- Ketoconazole is a powerful drug with fungicidal and fungistatic effects.
- Itraconazole is a triazole derivative that inhibits protein synthesis and prevents the formation of new spores.
- Fluconazole is a drug to block the growth of fungi and eliminate unpleasant symptoms.
Injections, antiperspirants and laser
To regulate sweating, the doctor may prescribe injections of Dysport and Botox - they block the nerve impulse that provides communication between the sweat glands and the autonomic center. As a result, the intensity of sweating decreases. The effect of the drugs is temporary - only 10-12 months.
Conventional antiperspirants are ineffective for hyperhidrosis, so it is better to use long-acting products instead - they are non-toxic and guarantee complete dryness for two days. Antiperspirants do not interfere with the functioning of the sweat glands , but only normalize their work.
Laser treatment is to get rid of excessive sweating and further development of fungal infection. During the procedure, a micropuncture is made in the skin - an optical fiber is inserted through it. Under the influence of the laser, the sweat glands are destroyed, after which they regress naturally.
Ointments
Treatment of fungal diseases is impossible without the use of ointments for application to infected skin.
To eliminate visible manifestations of mycosis, the following drugs are recommended:
- Lamisil is a drug that has a wide spectrum of antifungal activity.
- Terbinafine is an antimycotic agent of the allylamine group, which has a detrimental effect on fungi.
- Myconorm is a medicine whose active components destroy pathogenic microflora.
ethnoscience
Folk remedies are quite effective in treating mycosis of the armpits, but they only help eliminate the symptomatic manifestations of the disease and do not stop the growth and development of fungi.
The use of alternative medicine recipes is rational only if the medications prescribed by a dermatologist are used.
Painful symptoms are relieved by products intended for treating affected areas of the skin:
- water tincture of propolis;
- calendula tincture mixed with water in equal proportions;
- tar soap;
- soda solution;
- apple cider vinegar mixed with water.
Important!
In people with a predisposition to allergies, folk remedies can cause an undesirable reaction.
Fungus under the arms - treatment with folk remedies
Buckwheat decoction
- Affected areas of the skin can be wiped with a decoction of buckwheat with the addition of calendula tincture. For 50 g of cereal, use 300 ml of water and 20 drops of alcohol tincture.
- A decoction based on common burdock and chamomile flowers. You will need 50 g of dried flowers, 50 g of fresh burdock and 500 ml of water. Boil for 30-40 minutes over low heat. Then let it cool, strain and lubricate the skin where the lichen appeared.
- St. John's wort oil (sold in pharmacies) is mixed with Vaseline one to one. Apply to areas with lichen, wait 10-15 minutes, then wash off. Repeat 2-3 times a day.
If you are predisposed to allergies to these components, then it is better not to use it.
Features of the treatment of fungal infection in a nursing mother
The lactation period and the accompanying hormonal imbalance often contribute to the occurrence of mycosis, which is why many young mothers are faced with a choice: start treatment or try to maintain breastfeeding.
A fungal infection, like potent drugs, can harm the baby, so experts offer laser treatment . This method is absolutely safe for both mother and baby, which means that there is no need to stop lactation.
Possible complications
By ignoring the symptomatic manifestations of mycosis of the armpits and refusing treatment, an infected person risks aggravating the problem and adding to his condition other, no less serious disorders. Without drug therapy, the patient will experience complications such as:
- onychomycosis;
- spread of infection over large areas;
- worsening of chronic diseases;
- decreased protective functions of the body.
Important!
A fungal infection poses a danger not only to the carrier of the disease, but also to his loved ones. Through direct contact with a sick person, all family members can become infected.
Prevention
The likelihood of infection can be reduced by carrying out preventive measures aimed at eliminating pronounced risk factors and increasing immunity. To prevent infection, you must:
- Maintain personal hygiene and take a shower at least twice a day.
- Wash and change clothes more often.
- Get rid of bad habits by giving up smoking and drinking alcohol.
- Refuse to wear clothes made of synthetic materials, giving preference to natural fabrics.
- Try to eat right, monitor your weight and, if necessary, follow a diet.
- Lead an active lifestyle, walk in the fresh air and exercise.
- Do not use other people's towels and personal hygiene products, and do not let other people use your things.
- Before using any anti-sweat cosmetics, carefully study their composition.
Armpit fungus is easily treatable at the initial stage of development, but getting rid of a pathology that has reached an advanced stage is much more difficult.
If left untreated, the fungal infection will spread to other areas of the body, so it is important to be attentive to your health and contact a dermatologist as soon as symptoms of the disease are detected.
Treatment
Treatment of fungus under the arms is carried out according to the standard regimen used in the treatment of mycoses - local antiseptic care products, local antimycotic agents, systemic drugs for the treatment of advanced cases of fungal skin lesions.
In order to cure mycotic lesions of the skin under the arms, it is also necessary to fulfill certain conditions related to care:
- use only underwear and clothes made from natural fabrics;
- take a shower regularly during the hot season;
- if there are scratches, cracks or wounds in the armpits, do not visit public swimming pools, showers, saunas, baths;
- use personal bath accessories for the toilet;
- take vitamin and mineral complexes to improve the functioning of the immune system;
- balance the diet by removing yeast products from the diet - bread, kvass, buns, sweets, spices;
- reduce body fat mass by increasing protein foods in the diet - eggs, chicken, fish, lentils, cottage cheese.
By following simple conditions, you can not only speed up getting rid of mycosis, but also prevent fungal infections of the skin.
Let's look at how to get rid of armpit fungus using local remedies and medications. Fungus under the arms requires complex treatment, consisting of antiseptic treatment and the application of antifungal agents.
Treatment:
- After taking a shower, wipe the skin under your armpits dry;
- treat the affected surface of the skin of the armpits with an antiseptic solution;
- After drying and absorbing the antiseptic, apply antifungal cream;
- wear clean cotton underwear.
An antiseptic solution, in order to treat fungus under the arms, is used to sanitize the affected area of the skin. The following antiseptics are used: colorless Fukortsin, 2% iodine solution, Boric acid, Hydrogen peroxide.
Ointment for fungus under the arms is used for local treatment and suppression of the fungal environment. Lamisil, which inhibits the vital activity of any mycosis, is suitable for therapy.
Fungus under the arms occurs in the treatment of diaper rash, when ointments for the fungus are used haphazardly, lesions on the skin are not completely cured, and personal hygiene is neglected.
Fungus under the arms is treated with the following ointments:
- Lamisil.
- Terbinafine.
- Clotrimazole.
- Zinc-sulfur.
Zinc-sulfur is used in combination with other antifungal agents to dry deep cracks in the axillary folds.
