Fungal infections can affect both the skin and internal organs, such as the gut, lungs, and reproductive tract. Often triggered by antibiotic overuse, poor diet, weakened immunity, and hormonal imbalance, they signal deeper body imbalances. Understanding their root causes and making lifestyle changes — from diet to hygiene — is key to prevention, healing, and long-term wellness.
Fungal infections can affect both the external and internal aspects of the body. Externally, they may appear on the skin or scalp, while internally, they can affect areas such as the intestinal tract, vaginal tract, lungs, and even the bloodstream.
While fungi naturally live in and around us — including in our bodies — problems arise when there’s an overgrowth. This overgrowth is often a sign of imbalance in the body and can be very dangerous if not addressed early.
What Causes Fungal Overgrowth?
- Overuse of Antibiotics
Modern medicine is a double-edged sword. While antibiotics save lives, their indiscriminate use can kill beneficial bacteria that keep fungal populations in check. This allows fungi to multiply and cause infections. - Use of Steroids, Chemotherapy, or Immune-Suppressing Drugs
These weaken the immune system and disrupt the body’s balance, leading to fungal overgrowth. - Weakened Immunity (e.g., from HIV or chronic illness)
A weak immune system can’t effectively control fungi, increasing vulnerability to infections. - Environmental Exposure
Fungi exist in the environment — in soil, dust, on surfaces, and even in the air. Sharing items like combs or towels, or visiting unhygienic barbers or beauty parlors, can spread infections like ringworms (locally called mashillingi). - Sexual Transmission
Certain fungal infections, including yeast infections, can be passed on through sexual contact.
Lifestyle and Diet: A Major Contributor
- High Sugar and Processed Foods
Sugar is the preferred food for yeast. Diets high in refined carbohydrates, sweets, sodas, and junk food create the perfect environment for yeast and other fungi to thrive. - Diabetes and Prediabetes
Individuals with diabetes are more prone to fungal infections. Repeated infections could be a warning sign of underlying blood sugar problems. Don’t wait—check your lifestyle and adjust early. - Inflammatory Foods
Foods like white bread, pastries, deep-fried snacks, and those cooked in recycled seed oils can promote inflammation, weaken the immune system, and fuel fungal overgrowth. - Hormonal Imbalance
Hormonal contraceptives and pregnancy raise estrogen levels, which can disrupt the microbial balance and promote yeast infections. - Personal Care Products
Many perfumes, deodorants (especially those containing aluminum), sanitary pads, tampons, and even diapers contain harmful chemicals that may disrupt the natural flora and encourage infections, often starting very early in life.
Personal Story: What I Learned the Hard Way
My second-born child had a difficult start to life. Due to complications at birth, she was put on antibiotics from day one, and again before she turned one month old.
That first year saw frequent antibiotic use, and the effects were profound: she suffered from ringworms, boils, constipation, abdominal pain, and other chronic childhood illnesses.
She even struggled with depression and poor weight gain, despite guidance from pediatricians.
Other children around her didn’t catch these infections, which puzzled me at the time. But in hindsight, I realized her gut flora had been severely disrupted early in life, creating a perfect storm for long-term health struggles.
Looking back further, I remembered my childhood: at around age 10, I had recurring ringworm after being treated multiple times for tonsillitis with antibiotics.
Again, others around me were unaffected — a red flag I didn’t understand until much later. I now know my early weaning practices and frequent antibiotics may have set the stage.
How to Prevent and Heal from Fungal Infections
- Use antibiotics responsibly: Stop buying them over the counter or using them for common colds. Only take antibiotics if medically necessary and prescribed.
- Rebuild your gut: After antibiotics, incorporate fermented foods (like yogurt, fermented porridge, sauerkraut, kefir) and fasting routines to restore gut balance. Choose foods that nourish good bacteria.
- Eat clean and organic where possible: If you’re in Africa, you’re blessed. Rural communities still rear free-range animals — take advantage of their natural products. Avoid animal products from supermarkets or factory farms that rely heavily on antibiotics and synthetic feeds.
- Limit painkillers: Overuse of pain medication also contributes to body imbalance. Address pain through holistic methods like improved diet, exercise, and stress management.
- Know Your Farmer: Buy Food from Trusted Sources. Choose clean, ethically sourced animal and plant products. It may take effort, but your health is worth it.
Finally, Note This…
Fungal infections are more than a skin issue — they are a signal of internal imbalance. Restoring balance begins with conscious choices: food, medication, hygiene, and environment. Don’t wait for a diagnosis. Your best defense is knowledge and prevention.
Let’s be intentional with our health. If you’re dealing with fungal issues or simply want to avoid them, start making small changes today — they add up.
With love and lived experience,
Susan Catherine Keter
WhatsApp: +254 724 378980