Some like it moist

Fungi...fungi like it moist

An advantage of living in a small city like Adelaide is there’s a lot of green spaces. We miss out on a lot of international musical acts touring, sure. But geez, we have good air quality.

I get to enjoy one of the green spaces that surrounds the CBD on the days I walk to work¹. A commute that’s around 4km (~2.5 mi) without any traffic, meandering along the river enjoying the view of birds and rowers.

This week though, there’s been a section of the river that’s looking a bit, well, green.

A green looking part of the river. I’m no photographer.

Yes, this section of the River Torrens (a man made river, more like a big creek) doesn’t look too inviting. Possibly why I saw a turtle making a run for it the other day.

But, head around the bend and it’s a different story, Still murky water, sure, but in the usual way rather than the green one.

Other parts look much less green

The reason for this green hue is a bloom of blue green algae². Warmer temperature combined with less rainfall and water flow puts things out of whack. The algae enjoy it and take over.

Other parts have different conditions that, at least for now, seem to be less favourable for the algae to get going. That’s not to say a hot dry summer isn’t going to make the whole river tired and at risk of a system wide algae problem.

This is, kind of, like how our bodies get fungal infections.

In most circumstances, our bodies are pretty good at preventing fungal spores from developing into anything too troubling. But sometimes, we create conditions and microclimates in which they like to grow.

Fungi like warm, moist conditions.

There are certain bits of your body that are naturally warm and moist. Yes, it’s those mucous membranes again- they just keep coming up. All the openings of our body moistened with spit, sweat and other bodily fluids. In particular, mouths and genitals.

Other parts of our body get moist through environmental exposure- I’m talking about our skin and fingernails. Here, we’re thinking about those bits of the body that don’t get dried off properly after that shower. Sweaty socks, or worse, feet with no socks within sweaty shoes that don’t breathe. Nipples constantly covered in the slobber of a voraciously breastfeeding baby. And of course, we can’t ignore the whole sweaty balls scenario.

These conditions are perfect for growing two particular types of fungi: Candida species we tend to call thrush, and Tinea species which is sometimes called ringworm. Both of these types of fungal infection are very common, but they tend to grow in slightly different spots.

Tinea infections are most likely to arise from an issue relating to hygiene and be found on the skin (including the scalp) rather than mucous membranes. Dry off properly after a shower, wear and change socks and underwear regularly, and wear something on your feet if you’re using public shower and you should be able to avoid it. And, if you do happen get tinea, it’s no big deal. A short course of a topical antifungal medicine will do the trick. Just make sure you use it for the prescribed length of time and tighten up on that hygiene so it doesn’t come back.

This is the shower stall where I get changed after the walk into work. Needless to say, if I were to use it to shower, I would be wearing something on my feet. Eww.

Candida however, is likely to occur as a result of those underlying healthy conditions within your body going out of whack somehow. A medicine like a steroid inhaler resulting in oral thrush³. A course of antibiotics that changes the usual microflora resulting in vaginal thrush. Being a rundown, malnourished, breastfeeding mother of a baby resulting in nipple thrush.

These types of ‘minor’ ⁴candida infection are unpleasant, but can managed effectively with a short course of topical antifungal treatment, or potentially a short course of oral antifungal medicine. As with the tinea though, make sure you use the treatment for the appropriate duration of time so it fully goes away.

Where things can get more serious is when the overall immune system is not working so well. This could be because of a chronic condition like HIV, or because of medicines like chemotherapy, steroids, or immunosuppressants. In these circumstances, just like the river, it’s possible to get a system wide Candida or other opportunistic fungal infection. So, if your immune system is suppressed, make sure you keep an eye out for these types of fungal infections and get on top of them quickly with treatment so they don’t make their way into your bloodstream⁵. In some circumstances, it may be necessary to take antifungal medicines to prevent this type of infection.

Generally speaking, if you don’t have a condition that compromises your immune system and you find yourself getting these types of infections on a recurring basis, please talk to your doctor or other trusted healthcare provider about it so you can find out why its happening. And, I know it’s boring, but eating well, getting enough sleep, and moving your body all do great things for keeping your system in a healthy state and keep these things (and more) at bay.

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Thanks for reading Lessons on Drugs. I write this enjoying a sunny, albeit slightly breezy, lunch break sitting on the banks of a non algae section of the Torrens.

1. Adelaide takes its parklands seriously. So much so, they’re protected by legislation.

2. Naturally occurring cyanobacteria.

3. This is why it’s important to rinse your mouth after using a steroid inhaler.

4. Oral thrush, or candidiasis can occur the whole way from mouth down the oesophagus and can be extremely painful. This can cause issues with eating and drinking which can be particularly concerning in small babies and in people undergoing chemotherapy who commonly experience this as a side effect. So, not really that ‘minor’ when it comes to experience and quality of life.

5. It’s also possible to get an invasive fungal infection the good old fashioned way - from being in hospital and getting it from a healthcare worker. So if you work in a healthcare environment - wash your hands!