Guest Author - Carolyn Chambers Clark, ARNP, EdD

If you let your immune system suffer during menopause because you're not eating or sleeping well, or because you're stressed, fungal infections can creep in.

What is a fungal infection?

A fungal infection occurs when certain types of fungi infect the skin and/or mucous membranes, your nails, between your toes or on the surface of your body organs. Anyplace that's moist and warm is a possible home for fungi, especially if your immune system is weakened due to cancer, diabetes, HIV, taking oral contraceptives or antibiotics, are obese, or perspire heavily.

*In the groin area it's called jock itch

*Between your toes it's called athlete's foot

*In your mouth it's call oral thrush

*Under diapers, it's called diaper rash

*If you're nursing, it's called candida infection of the nipples

*Under your nails it's called paronychia

*In the vagina, it's called yeast infection

*On the skin or scalp it's called ringworm

What to do to keep yourself fungi free

*Don't eat any foods containing sugar. Fungi thrive on sugar

*Eat a diet of mostly raw vegetables with moderate amounts of broiled fish and broiled chicken without the skin

*Eliminate meat and dairy products, cola drinks, grains, processed foods, and fried foods

*Keep your skin clean and dry and change your towels and underwear daily

*Daily take bifudus OR acidophilus capsules to restore the normal balance of friendly bacteria in your colon

*If your skin itches, try rubbing a washcloth dipped in apple-cider vinegar between your toes or on your skin

*Alternate applying honey and crushed garlic, or try applying tea tree oil, or pau d'arco and goldenseal tea to affected areas

*Vitamins and minerals you may want to take include vitamin B complex, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, vitamin A, as well as essential fatty acids; consult a nutritional expert to find out amounts that are right for you.

*If you develop symptoms of a bacterial infection (swelling, fever, increased redness) consult your health care practitioner immediately

This article is for information purposes only. For treatment, consult a health care practitioner.