I am being colonised by a fungal infection

[Beachingtons]

Help!

In late January DD2 brought athlete’s foot home from nursery. I thought it was hand, foot and mouth at first, but she was scratching intensely and crying about it at night, so when it didn’t clear up by mid-Feb using OTC creams, I took her to the doctor and she was prescribed an anti fungal cream. She cosleeps.

By this point, I’d developed a rash on both sides of my groin that was SO intensely itchy, especially at night. I started applying Canesten immediately. I saw the pharmacist who said it could take two weeks to go. After two weeks, it was still awful and had spread further and to my armpits. It’s keeping me awake at night and I’m regularly taking ibuprofen to relieve the itch. I cried on the phone to the doctors, who brought me in to have it swabbed, but haven’t had the results yet.

This week, I started using Daktarin. This has taken the itch from my groin and it seems to be healing there, but it’s still spread to my armpits, knee pits, and today I’ve noticed new patches under my watch strap.

Things I have been doing for weeks:

• no exercise, sex or anything remotely sweaty
• keeping DD’s feet covered
• showering daily or twice daily
• replacing towels and clothes on every use
• wearing only loose cotton, and no underwear/bra unless necessary
• using Head & Shoulders on my hair and the patches
• wearing cotton pyjamas at night, changing bedsheets every couple of days
• drinking diluted apple cider vinegar
• applying either Canesten, or now Daktarin, three times a day to washed skin

I’ve had ringworm a few times in the past but it’s gone within a few weeks with Canesten application.

What the hell is going on?!

https://www.cdc.gov/advanced-molecular-detection/php/success-stories/tindotineae.html#:~:text=T.,that%20causes%20severe%20ringworm%20infections.

I am concerned it is this.

I'd Google if that specific fungus is one that lives off sugar. I had trouble with a candida infection after antibiotics once and it didn't go away until I went on an almost carb free diet, that also excluded fruit, candy and booze. Bloody boring, but it worked.

Sorry not much advice but hopefully the swabs from the doctor will come back soon and they will be able to prescribe a medication that it is sensitive to, it sounds so rubbish. If it is not getting much better with fungicides perhaps it is bacterial?

Ordinary milton solution or similar sterilising solution is great for killing fungus. You make it up as directed and apply it to all infected areas then rinse it off after about 5 minutes. For athletes foot you soak your feet in it then rinse.
you must use the correct dilution and rinse thoroughly. Wash your bed linen and underwear on hot.
GP might suggest meds.

Tea tree oil? You'll want to dilute it in a carier oil.

It's not scabies is it? I hear that has made a come back. I really don't know much about it but the rash and itching seems consistent with the areas you mentioned. Hope you resolve it soon, must be awful for you.

Milton in bath might help
Possibly you could phone GP today and explain how itchy and painful it is and ask if Fucidin/Fucibet would be helpful to be prescribed? It's an anti fungal and antibiotic.

Have a look at Australian Bodycare. Their products are all tea tree based. I’m type 1 diabetic and this keeps anything related to fungal infections at bay. I always use their body wash and feet products. They also do a barrier cream for areas that are prone like under your bra strap under your boobs (it would probably be good for under your watch). It has made the world of difference

A thrush capsule could really help, Fluconazole 150mg. Available from pharmacy. I'd probably just say it was for thrush, if they ask.

Nizoral 2% shampoo used in the shower instead of H&S. Lather it up and leave on affected areas for a few minutes before rinsing.

Wash the affected laundry at 40 or ideally 60 degrees if possible and tumble dry, if possible. If you can’t tumble dry, sunshine might help (if there is any where you are).

How long did it take? I’ve been cutting down on sugar but will go the whole hog if I need to.

Have you been tested for diabetes?

At this stage you need an oral treatment like Terbinafine

Sudocrem might really help symptoms, although not a cure. I would be covering myself in it, if I were you.

Already took a thrush capsule a few weeks ago, I forgot to put that in the OP. Did nothing.

I’m washing all laundry at 60 degrees (usually use 40 degrees) and tumble drying.

I’ll try that shampoo… Thanks for the suggestions.

You might need a course of oral anti-fungal, not just a single tablet.
Also how is your immune system in general? Have you had covid recently? It can damage your immune system leaving you more susceptible to fungal (and viral and bacterial) infections, there is data showing more persistent fungal infections are on the rise.

Also where I live you can get anti-fungal powder (like talcum) which is good for applying in awkward places like the groin and armpits. You want to keep those areas dry so powder is better than cream.

That level of itch sounds more like scabies to me particularly getting it in the skin folds. Is your daughters rash/itch gone?
canesten and Daktacort pretty much the same thing. If it is fungal you might need to go on oral anti fungal medication.
are you itchy on your palms or soles of feet? If yes v likely scabies.

I had something similar. Tuned out that I'd picked up an infection because of the scratching.
Washing in a diluted solution of hibiscrub killed off the bacteria. Drys your skin out , but meh. moisturizing is easy.

No I haven’t. I haven’t got any other symptoms?

Did it spread like mine is?

Hibiwash could help? Its active for a few hours after using. It helped me with a bacterial infection. Also doesn't sting or anything

Hers started as a few spots (I don’t know if she also had H, F&M, nursery is a Petri dish…) on the heels of her feet, which eventually led to peeling skin due to scratching. It’s now completely gone on one foot and just a bit red with fresh skin on the other. Hasn’t spread.

It looks a lot like ringworm on me - under the watch strap it’s a proper ring.

I think it’s fungal rather than scabies but maybe I could do another pharmacy trip.

I’ve been using medicated body powder too, forgot to put that in the OP.

Someone else has mentioned diabetes too but I don’t have any other symptoms I don’t think?

< shudders >
That wrecked my immune system and gave me lupus. Not a medication to be taken lightly.

I asked for a course of antifungals and the doctor said no. The pharmacist would only give me one thrush tablet.

I think I had Covid or flu in early Feb.