Medical Help Needed: Dr.s can't figure out why I keep getting fungal infections caused by tinea and others.

Question

In the past 2 years, I have had 5 cases of tinea versicolor, vaginal candidiasis at least 6 times and now, and now I have my 1st case of tinea capitis. My husband has never had a fungal infection and I am averaging 6 per year!! I am tired of being on anti-fungal medicine (they are hard on the liver and cause dizziness, and besides, I can't kick back with a beer while on them!). My PCP and ObGYN do not seem to think these are a lot of fungal infections.

I eat very healthy (no red meat- only fish, fruits, veggies, grains), I am a jogger, I am meticulously clean (wash hands often with soap and water, change out of running clothes right away, LOVE showers, etc.) and I can't understand why I am plagued with fungus.

I want to know
1. Is there a doctor out there who has ideas as extraneous factors that can be causing all of this?
2. Are there patients out there who have experiences with recurring fungal infections?

SERIOUS ANSWERS ONLY!

I am not a member of a health club so I am not using other equipment that is shared by many people. At yoga class I use my own mat. I dry myself well after showers.

Thanks for all the answers so far-
Also I do wear cotton undies, and none at night.

I have not been on antibiotics in I-don't-know-how long. Just anti-fungal meds.

Thanks

Answer 1

I have had fungal infections before-also have taken parasitology. Tinea capitis is usually caused by moist environments- usually only seen in the tropics where their hair is never completely dry. You may be showering too much. Do you dry your hair after all these showers? And I am sure you are sweating a lot when you work out. There may also be a bigger problem here with your immune system. It is pretty rare to hear about all of these infections in one person. You need to see a specialist and let them check out you immune system. Are you taking any steriods? Asthma medications? There are many factors in this and only a specialist will be able to help you (most likely). I am so sorry! I know it is horrible! Good Luck!

Ps- These are very contagious, so in hopes of getting rid of it completely you need to wash you sheets, pillows, combs, brushes-even the fabric on your car seat is not safe!

Answer 2

I know you must be miserable. Here are a few things to think about: could you possibly have diabetes? Has your doctor done bloodwork to see if you are diabetic? One of the early signs of diabetes is recurring fungal infections. I understand you're cleaning well. Have you taken antibiotics lately? Antiobiotics wip out all bacteria, including bacteria that controls fungal infections. Consider this; are you wiping from front to back after toileting? Could you be introducing bacteria to your vaginal area this way? You're on a great diet and it doesn't sound like you're doing any junk foods. However, you can help yeast/fungal infections by cutting out any sugar or white carbs. You can help your body breathe by using all cotton undies and sleeping at night without panties. Don't wear pantyhose! Fungus thrives in dark, damp places. Anything you can do to "air out" the areas will help. Everyone has fungus and yeast on their bodies. When the population overgrows, as in your case, there is usually a reason. You can take acidophelus tablets over-the-counter and this will help you grow back those "good" bacteria that control yeast/fungus on your body. This is also found in yogurt. It might be that you've just had so much treatment, you haven't had a chance to increase the "good bacteria" population. Yogurt is great for these problems and I've even heard of women douching with plain yogurt and using it on the outside of the vaginal area to introduce those good bacteria back into their system. I hope you feel better and Godloveya.

Answer 3

About 10 of ALL adults have fungal nail infections, most with Taenia Rubrum. The fungus is just a very successful and widespread pathogen. Assuming your GP has confirmed the diagnosis by sending away nail clippings. ( This is important, because nail dystrophy's can closely resemble infection.) It really needs some treatment or it may continue to spread. Topical lacquers such as 'Loceryl' are excellent, but finger nails need 3-5 months treatment!

Answer 4

The control of fungal infections occurs partly through bacteria that compete with fungus. In some people, fungus prevails over the bacteria - possibly due to chemical characteristics of sweat, oils, and other secretions. There isn't much you can do to change the chemicals your body produces, although diet can have a small effect.

The things I have found to be most effective are avoidance of all antibacterial products and harsh soaps, use of Selsun Blue or Denorex as a body wash as well as a shampoo, spraying chest and crotch with anti-fungal powder after the shower, putting foot powder in my socks, and taking a zinc supplement several time per day. It doesn't eliminate the fungus, but usually keeps it in check.

Answer 5

I highly recommend all natural Optiflora. It's very helpful in clearing these types of infections. It's a two product system that includes Probiotic (Bifidus & Acidophilus...microflora) + Prebiotic (FOS...food source for microflora). It guarantees the delivery of 500 million microflora to intestines due to the encapsulation process. It's perfectly safe with no side effects. It actually treats the cause and not just the symptoms.

Hope this is helpful and feel free to contact me with questions or the website where it is available.

Answer 6

This is a stumper of a question. My first thought is what is your exposure to the fungus. Are you a member of a health club, or spa, or do you work in a medical or rehab clinic. Anywhere that you may be picking up the fungi. The candida could be explained by common things like the choice of fabrics. Yeast and fungi both like warmth, a source of food, and a lack of light to grow. Just some ideas and you may also want to check you blood sugar levels to make sure it is ok.

Answer 7

Your husband could have some type of fungus or infection himself and is passing it onto you through sex. Have him checked out by the doctor.

Answer 8

wear cotton underwear lose fitting pants and a panty liner in case its caused by moisture..

Answer 9

I wanted to give you another perspective (since you don't seem to be having any luck with the medical community) on the possible cause and cure to your problem. Louise Hay is famous for her research on the emotional and mental causes of illness - and for fungus she thinks it is "Stagnating beliefs. Refusing to release the past. Letting the past rule today." This could be the ultimate difference between you and your husband.

Further, she says for vaginal issues "Anger at mate. Sexual guilt. Punishing the self". Female problems she attributes to "Denial of the self, Rejecting feminity, Rejection of the feminine principle" - which so many of us struggle with as wives and mothers - and for Candida she says "feeling very scattered. Lots of frustration and anger. Demanding and untrusting in relationships." Here's a link to her great book: http://www.amazon.com/Friday-Robert-Heinlein/dp/034530988X/sr=8-1/qid=1169316040/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/103-9667872-5604653?ie=UTF8&s=books

I am not trying to give you a laundry list of your problems - I don't know anything about you - but when we read all this, we do get an overall picture that frankly could describe many married women in the world today.

I would suggest yogurt and natural friendly flora and I would start monitoring my thoughts. I would look out for negative thoughts that relate to these issues and gently correct myself every time. We think "That man is infurriating!" we then need to stop and say aloud if we can "no, that's not right. He is good and helpful - and the more i believe it the more it will be true". Try visualizations - see your life very clearly in you mind as you want it to be. See ease and acceptance and peace. Love and cooperation all around you - feel it, know it is possible.

If there are issues or hurts that you are holding onto from the past, the only thing that I have found to get rid of them is a visualization release technique I know. Boy it's frustrating when people tell you to let go of the past but they never tell you how. Here's how: Visualize the person you are angry with, see them very clearly in your mind - now imagine them at peace, see them smiling. It can be very difficult, but with dilligent practice I was able to begin to overcome in about a week.

If there is strong anger still associated with the person, it can be helpful to imagine them undergoing the punishment you feel they deserve. Experience as much or as little as you need to feel better. This punishment version can be powerful - but it can be damaging to the practicing person if done too often - so do it only if absolutely necessary and then, only once.

If you are open to Homeopathic remedies, I can tell you that many women I know are getting tremendous relief from the pressures of life with an awesome Boiron remedy called Sepia 200C. It is so helpful for those of us who feel like every freaking moment of our lives is dedicated to doing someone else's stuff, and it can work like magic. So can herbs like SAMe help to turn around a difficult frame of mind - and for the long haul Wild Yam cream is the thing that keeps many of my friends on this side of sane.

So what I am saying to you is that you have given the medical community over a year here and tried their cures and have not been cured. It is time maybe to try a different approach. Change can be very difficult - I am in the process of major change myself - but it can be very rewarding to get through it. I have so much going on in my life and I am so unsure of how it will unfold that I stick with just 2 affirmations: "I am open to change" and "It is safe to trust the process of life" and I am getting a lot further with my issues and living more in the present than ever before.

Be well and be happy. You are the creative force in your life, only you can truly affect change in it.

Peace!

Answer 10

u should eat yogurt, the bacteria in it will help keep the yeast infections down