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?!

Sounds like scabies.

I had terrible fungal skin infection. The only thing that cleared it up was nizoral. I foamex my body in it and stood in the shower for 3 minutes to let it work then washed it off. I did it twice a week for about a month. I also got antifungal laundry detergent.

for how long did you do this diet? I have chronic thrush and im sure wine makes it worse!

A lot of people have mentioned scabies. I’m not 100% it’s not, but surely if it was, DD’s would have spread by now?

You need a course of fungal tablets surely- I would try and insist from the GP!

dh has had ringworm on his hand since Jan. It took 2 weeks before it was diagnosed. He’s on his 3rd (or is it 4th?) tube of cream. It’s nearly gone at last. Thank god.

no idea where he’s picked it up from, but he’s always been prone to athletes foot (turns out he didn’t know you needed to dry individually in between each toe, and under the toe too if you have a fold)🙄

it seems to be very resistant like your’s.

I thought that

Initially get your results from the Doctor.

I think your problems stem from not washing everyone's underwear (including socks), all towels, all bedding, flannels, tea towels, dishcloths, i.e. anything that comes into direct contact with skin etc, at 60 all the time, no matter what the labels say. I would wash everything at 90 for the time being. Milton will help, so will hibiscrub.

Are you keeping DD away from Nursery? If she is bringing it home then it is coming from there.

HNRTT and hope your GP responds soon. Oral fungicides like Fluconozole over the counter and Nystatin by prescription may help if definitely a fungal infection.

I just read this and realised I don't dry between my toes. Or actually the bottoms of my feet. I stand on a towel/mat when I come out the shower and when I dry myself I only do the tops of my feet...

Coconut oil and tea tree oil have always worked a treat for me with any fungal type infections.

have you been tested for diabetes ?
you may need a cream with steroid content eg daktacort
Failing this you may need tablet treatment

@Beachingtons i'm really sorry to hear this

Why did the doctor refuse you a course of antifungals? Just wondering what the reason was.

And you're saying it is an actual ring under your watch?

Can you get nail clippings analysis

Hi OP, so sorry you are struggling with athlete's foot. It is shitty, and I've had it on both feet now since last July.

Unfortunately I'm very sensitive to medication side effects, especially Canesten and Daktarin as my stupid body body hates me - I have a medication induced neurological involuntary movement disorder called tardive dyskinesia that was caused by some prescribed off label antipsychotic. Any medication that affects dopamine (so antifungal creams as they are endocrine system disruptors) exacerbates my symptoms.

So, if i use anything, it's tea tree oil cream and/or shampoo. I've also tried to use mint shampoo and even soaked my feet in Listerine, and at other times, sea salt.

Unfortunately these natural remedies aren't really that effective, so I am following this thread with interest!

maybe try essential oils
https://www.oils4life.co.uk/blogs/aromatherapy-life/8-essential-oils-that-help-with-itchy-skin

Intense itching can be a symptom of liver problems. Is it definitely a fungus infection?

Out of interest, do any of these suggestions work for fungal toenail infections? All my left toenails affected and been treating for over a year with amorolfine. They are better than they were, but don't know whether to persevere or go to GP for something stronger.

💯this.

Some of the suggestions here are crazy. You need prescription medication. I can't understand why a GP would not prescribe. You are not going to resolve this yourself. And it's miserable - you need a strong course e.g. oral terbinafine, itraconazole, or fluconazole

It might offer some respite but it really won't help much. It won't resolve it, and it is unlikely to provide much relief.

What if you can't take the medication like this? I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be able to tolerate them.

Your immune system has gone crazy and all the medicated meds will lengthen the cycle as you’ve found. Try a basic cream like e45 and look at your diet…… it will feed off sugar and I’d be taking probiotics as well.

DH had something similar turned out it wasn’t fungal at all but eczema which flares from stress and poor diet.

Yes, my GP put me on Griseofulvin, as the fungal infection was interacting with my psoriasis; and the fungal infection needed resolving from the inside out iyswim. It was very effective.

Also I would recommend regular showers with Hibiscrub or Hibiwash, and medicated powder.

I'd also suggest looking at changing your diet. If continuous topical medications aren't working maybe something is going on internally

Personally, to eliminate all of the guessing, I would arrange an immediate private appointment with a Dermatologist. You could end up spending the appointment cost on a large number of recommended problems which do not help because you don't know what it is that is causing the issue and damaging your skin in the process.

It sounds terrible and I very much hope that you get it sorted out soon.