How Long Does a Fungal Infection Last?

Dealing with a fungal infection can be a big pain. It can keep you out of the gym, and it will drive you crazy with itchiness and soreness. No one wants to walk around with a fungal infection showing on their arms, face, or scalp. Everyone is going to ask questions about it, and you’ll probably feel self-conscious about it.

The bad news is that fungal infections can last what seems like forever if you don’t take the steps to eradicate them. People have struggled with fungus for months or years as the infection spreads from one area of the body to another. The fungus is driven to spread. It’s looking to grow, not just stay the same size. You need to take action to get rid of it, and the sooner you do, the faster it will go away.

Let’s explore a bit about what you can expect if you or someone you know has a fungal infection.

Fungal Infections Range in Severity

Not all fungal infections are the same. Something small like ringworm is a fungal infection that will be hard for others to notice and won’t cause you too much pain or itchiness. However, a bad case of athlete’s foot can drive you crazy as you try to go about your day wearing shoes while your feet feel like they are on fire.

Some fungal infections will respond quickly to treatment, but severe cases need consistent attention and treatment application. You, as the patient, need to monitor the fungal infection response to whatever treatment method you’re using. Continue using the ointments, medicines, and other treatment methods that work, and use a process of refinement to find what treatment will respond best.

With the right treatment, your fungal infection can disappear in days. However, some people, due to several factors, struggle with recurring infections that are a constant issue.

How to Treat Fungal Infections?

If you or someone you know, like a child of yours, has a fungal infection, it’s critical to understand how to treat it. Most of the time, the fungal infection won’t simply go away. Even if you try to wait it out, it could take weeks or months for it to finally disappear. Here are some things you can try.

Keep It Clean – This is perhaps the best thing you can do to both prevent and treat fungal infections. Fungus thrives in places with a lot of moisture, and it’s easy to catch a fungal infection if the conditions are right. Moisture from wet towels, damp shoes, and sweaty body parts are prime culprits. Shower regularly, keep the fungal infection dry and make sure you are using clean clothes, towels, and other linens.

Topical Ointments – A quick visit to your local pharmacy or a look online will net you a bunch of different topical ointments designed for various fungal infections. You can find creams and sprays that will work with most fungal infections. Give some a go and see how they work. They won’t break the bank, so you can try out different ointments to see which ones get you the best results.

Peptides – The PT-141 and LL37 peptides have been shown to have anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties. In tests done on animal models, PT-141 showed fantastic results in treating fungal infections and it was found to boost the immune system overall. LL37 research has shown its ability to be an antifungal, antibacterial peptide. These are possible options once they are approved because buying peptides is generally for research purposes only at this time.

See a Doctor – Most fungal infections are something you can deal with at home. You won’t have to see a doctor to rid yourself of the infection. However, some infections simply won’t go away, so if your frustration with it gets to the point where you can’t take it anymore, go see a doctor. They can take a look and talk to you about what you’re doing that may be contributing to the infection’s staying power. They can prescribe medication and talk to you about other treatment methods.

Home Remedies – There is a lot of information online about home remedies for fungal infections. While the results are mixed, they’re worth a try if you don’t want to see a doctor until you try to fix it yourself. Some people swear by pouring fresh lemon juice, aloe vera, and apple cider vinegar on the infection. The good news is that most of these products are easy to find and are inexpensive.

Treating a fungal infection requires consistency. You need to stay on top of it because the fungus can be very resilient. It’s not something that you can treat until it’s almost gone because it can start growing and come back in a hurry. Keep dry and clean and explore different treatment methods to find what works for you.