The sweet smell of spring air. Finally hearing the birds chirping. Best of all, seeing the crocus, tulips and daffodils poking through the ground seeking out the warmth of the sun.

These are all signs that spring is finally here. Another not-so-nice signs of the season is fungus, which starts to breed with the beginning of the hot and humid seasons.

There are three common types of skin fungus – pityriasis versicolor, tinea unguium and tinea pedis. Pityriasis versicolor will appear as discolored patches on your body. They can be lighter or darker than you skin and most commonly appear on the trunk or shoulders. The good news is that it is not contagious or painful. It can cause emotional distress or self-consciousness and sun exposure can make it more obvious.

Tinea unguium and tinea pedis are also known as ringworm and athlete’s foot. These are both highly contagious. Tinea Ungium is called ringworm because it can cause a circular rash that is usually red and itchy.

What causes both of these? As stated earlier, it is more prevalent in the warm and humid weather. Contact sports, excessive sweating and having close contact with animals create a higher risk. As you can imagine, schools, locker rooms and even fine hotels can be a breeding ground for fungus. It can live on skin, surfaces and household items such as towels and bedding. Other factors that can make a person more susceptible include weakened immune systems and being on antibiotics.

The good news is that these are treatable with an all-natural home remedy – peppermint and tea-tree essential oils. These oils have been proven to be anti-microbial have antiviral effects as well as working as strong antioxidants.

There are several ways to do this. The most common and effective way is to mix 15 to 20 drops of pure essential oils with a carrier oil, such as coconut oil. I like to do a 50/50 mix of the essential oils. This is important because pure essential oils are very strong and should not be applied directly to the skin.

Another way to use it is to put 15 to 20 drops of the essential oils in a four ounce spray bottle. This is a great way to prevent the fungus from spreading. I carry mine with me and when I go to the gym, I spray down any machine I’m going to use. Be mindful of where you put you towel when you are working out. I contracted ringworm on my neck simply by throwing my towel over the top of the treadmill and then around my neck after my workout. Who knew?

Peppermint and tea-tree oils are great essential oils. They smell great and have lots of other uses.

To learn more, check out my blog at sixtiesandsexy.net. If you have any questions, email me at sixtiesandsexy@gmail.com.

Now go out there, and let’s stop spreading the fungus among us!

My name is Cindy Fera. I have been in the health and wellness industry for over 40 years. My goal is to share some tips to help you live your best life. Join me on this journey.