Factors Responsible for Fungal Infections

All people are not equally susceptible to fungal infection, even when they have similar risk factors. Tinea infection is acquired directly from

• Direct contact with infected humans, animals
• indirectly from exposure to contaminated soil or things such as clothes, utensils, and furniture.

Or due to other factors such as increased urbanization including the use of occlusive footwear and tight fashioned clothes, has been linked to higher prevalence.

Differential Diagnosis of Tinea Infections depends on infectious sight or area affected like Tinea corporis (Chest, stomach), Jock Itch (Inner Thighs), Tinea faciei (Face), Tinea manuum (Hands), Athlete Foot and Ringworm.

Causes of Recurrence 

Studies show that the conventional antifungals like azoles (miconazole and clotrimazole) with combinations of steroids (corticosteroid) preparations are unable to manage recurring fungal infections. Owing to their limitation of resistance and having a greater risk of adversity they are not recommended, primarily due to the higher-potency steroid component which may cause thinning of skin, recurrence, prone to secondary infections, etc.

Fungal Infections – Increasing the cure rate

However, Ayurveda with its excellent action due to fungicidal action of herbs and limited side effects can give a cure to this antimicrobial resistant disease. Some preparations like Shuddha Gandhak or purified/detoxified Sulfur are a drug of choice in Ayurveda for tinea. It possesses potent antimicrobial activity which inhibits folic acid metabolism of fungal cells refraining it to grow further. Another preparation Purified Borax (Sudh Suhaga) inhibits – C. albicans strains including fluconazole- resistant strains thereby working as a fungicidal without any untoward effect. A phytoconstituent Thymol derived from  Ajwain –   is known to possess antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties. Research studies have demonstrated the antimicrobial activity of thymol against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria including selected antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Sphaeranthus indicus (Gorakhmundi) – Glycoside and Flavonoids extracts obtained from S. indicus acts as broad-spectrum anti-infective activity by inhibiting different species of fungi and bacteria. Psoralia corylifolia (Bakuchi) – Bakuchiol a flavonoid obtained from P. corylifolia prevents Recurrence by reducing ergosterol biosynthesis which leads to growth of retardation of cell growth and causes cell death. Cyperus rotundus (Motha) – Sesquiterpene relives itching by exerting anti-allergic actions by inhibiting the release of beta-hexosaminidase.

Future of antifungal lies in herbal drug combination from the wealth of natural resources.