Rash

Question
Hi. Thanks so much for your time. I have a rash in my "glutteal folds" (between my butt cheeks but not quite up to the anus itself) that a naturopathic doctor I saw thought was a yeast/fungal rash. He prescribed a castor oil extract to apply topically for two weeks, which I did, and it didn't work. Would you give me a few more suggestions? What's the most common conventional approach to this problem? And natural/alternative approache(s)? Thanks!


Answer
Hello Theo,

Thanks for your question.  Topical treatments with an active anti-fungal component such as tea tree oil, oregano oil) can be useful for skin lesions, although I'd suggest a non-oil base (this promotes moisture which allows fungus to thrive) like a gel or non-oily lotion.  topicals alone may help the symptom, but probably won't do much to correct the underlying condition.  So you want to try to determine what that is.  Often fungal infections can arise when there is a multiple system imbalance in yeast, starting with the GI tract.  An anti-yeast diet (eliminating simple carbs and sugar, limiting complex carbohydrates, emphasizing proteins and low glycemic vegetables) along with an anti-yeast agent (oregano oil, garlic, thyme, pau d'arco, tannins) and probiotics to replace the beneficial bacteria, can help balance the GI tract which eliminates infections in other areas of the body.  Conventional treatment would likely be a topical and perhaps an anti-fungal medication, but again this does not address the cause, and an anti-fungal medication without replacement of beneficial bacteria can cause other side effects.  Addressing the underlying cause is key in the naturopathic approach and can lead to long term benefits.  

In health,

Dr Conner