Pointing out that fungal infections increase in the summer months, Skin and Venereal Diseases Specialist Dr. Zahide Sevil Aytekin stated that attention should be paid to the cleaning of areas such as armpits, groin, buttocks, feet and between the fingers and care should be taken to keep these areas dry.
Dr. Zahide Sevil Aytekin, Skin and Venereal Diseases Specialist at Bursa High Specialization Training and Research Hospital, gave various information to citizens about the causes and prevention methods of fungal infections that increase in the summer months.
Stating that microorganisms that cause fungal infections have the ability to reproduce more in hot weather, Uzm. Dr. Aytekin said, “Since the sweating function increases a lot, more fungal infections occur in areas that do not breathe air, such as armpits, groin, between the toes, buttocks, especially in the fold areas. In addition, there is the ablution factor in our country, in cases such as frequent washing and not drying well, fungal infections become even easier.”
Informing that there are many different types of fungal infections, Uzm. Dr. Aytekin said, “There are also severe ones. There are also more localized ones. In fungal infections, we generally prefer drug groups such as cream, spray, shampoo. Pill treatments may also come to the agenda in periods when it is very severe. Of course, treatments may vary according to the age of the patient and the condition of other medications he/she is currently using. Generally, treatments can last for one or one and a half months. There are some precautions that our patients should take. We also explain these to our patients.”
Pay attention to body hygiene
Emphasizing that the spread of fungal infection becomes easier with increased sweating, Aytekin stated that excessive physical activity should be avoided unless necessary. Underlining the need to pay close attention to body hygiene, Aytekin said, “It is very important to clean the areas that cannot be ventilated very well, such as armpits, groin, buttocks and between the toes, and to keep them dry. It is also important not to share personal belongings at home, especially items such as slippers, towels and socks. Apart from this, cotton clothes can be preferred. Tight and narrow clothes and synthetic fabrics that stick to the body too much increase sweating and make infections occur more easily.”
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