Skin Care Awareness: Causes, Prevention, and Treatment of Fungal Infections

Source: Prothom Alo

Cleanliness is the primary way to protect against any infectious disease. If a family member develops a fungal infection, they should seek the advice of an experienced doctor. They should refrain from self-medication or taking medicine at the pharmacy as they wish.

Former Chairman of Bangladesh Red Crescent Society and Dermatologist and Venereologist at National Skin Center, Professor Dr. MU Kabir Chowdhury, spoke at an online discussion titled 'Healthy Skin Stories' jointly organized by Prothom Alo.com and SKF Dermatology. He spoke about the causes, prevention, and treatment of fungal infections.

Professor Dr. M.U. Kabir Chowdhury participated as a guest in the first part of this online discussion, organized to maintain healthy skin and create awareness on the subject. The program was hosted by Suraiya Ahmed, Brand Manager of SKF Pharmaceuticals.

There is still neglect about various skin diseases and there are various misconceptions and lack of awareness about its treatment. Therefore, in this episode of the discussion, Professor Dr. MU Kabir Chowdhury gave various awareness tips about fungal infections of the skin. The episode was broadcast live last Saturday on Prothom Alo.com and Prothom Alo, SKF Oncology and SKF's Facebook pages. At the beginning of the discussion, the presenter wants to know what a fungal skin infection actually means. Is it just ringworm, or is there something more involved? In response, Professor Dr. M. U. Kabir Chowdhury said, 'We commonly call it ringworm. Many people also call it fungus or fungus. However, it is more common as fungus.

'Professor Dr. M. U. Kabir Chowdhury said that it is caused by a type of parasite, which is a type of plant without chlorophyll. Its common name is cutaneous fungal infection. However, if it occurs only on the surface of the skin, it is called 'tinea'. It has different names depending on the location, such as tinea corporis if it occurs on the body, tinea capitis if it occurs on the head, tinea cruris if it occurs in the folds of the body, tinea pedis if it occurs on the feet, etc. Apart from tinea, two other types of fungal infections are seen, namely tinea vesicularis and Candida albicans.

What causes this type of fungal infection on the skin? When asked, Dr. MU Kabir Chowdhury said, 'This is basically a contagious disease. If someone is infected with this type of fungus, the disease spreads when they come into contact with him. Apart from that, it is more common because the weather in Bangladesh is hot and humid.

Incidentally, the presenter wants to know what the weather actually has to do with fungal skin infections?

Professor Dr. M. U. Kabir Chowdhury said that the connection between weather, environment and socio-economic conditions with skin diseases is very close. Hot and humid weather is favorable for the growth of fungi. When the body sweats or is wet for some reason, especially in the folds of the body or between the fingers, fungal infections are more common in those wet places. As a result, it is more common in summer. It also occurs in winter but relatively less. Depending on the type of fungus, it can occur in any season.

What types of fungal infections are most common in the context of Bangladesh? In response to the presenter's question, Professor Dr. M. U. Kabir Chowdhury said, tinea is the most common type of ringworm in Bangladesh. It can spread from person to person, from soil to person (geophilic) or from animal to person (zoophilic). It is a contagious disease, which spreads through direct contact. Therefore, it can also spread through sharing the same commode, chair, clothes, bed.

Stressing the importance of cleanliness to avoid such fungal infections, Professor Dr. MU Kabir Chowdhury said, "To avoid such fungal infections, the house should be kept clean. For example, bed sheets, pillow covers, cushion covers, sofa covers, towels, etc. should be washed with hot water and dried thoroughly in the sun or ironed so that the fungal germs die. Along with this, it is also important to follow personal hygiene. For example, using soap regularly, especially washing hands after coming home from outside, and staying clean."

When asked whether there is any connection between fungal infections and other diseases, such as diabetes, Professor Dr. MU Kabir Chowdhury said, "If you have diabetes, fungal infections increase. Because the amount of sugar in the body is high. Which is helpful in the growth of fungi, bacteria and viruses. Apart from this, you should be careful if you have kidney or liver problems. Because most antifungal drugs are not safe for the kidneys."

Regarding the use of steroid-like drugs for fungal infections, Professor Dr. M. U. Kabir Chowdhury said, "You should refrain from using steroid-like drugs. They temporarily reduce itching without destroying the fungus. This complicates the disease and makes treatment more difficult later. Therefore, taking antibiotics, steroids or antifungal drugs without a prescription, i.e. self-medication, is very dangerous. You should not take any kind of treatment without a certified doctor."