uncomfortable, one should seek professional help
from a dermatologist."
Ringworm
Ringworm can appear on the scalp in addition to
the body, which means you may encounter it with
clients. This highly contagious fungal infection
causes an itchy, red, circular rash. "It's spread by skin-
to-skin contact or by touching an infected animal or
object, which is typically scaly and may be red and
itchy," Hu says. "It's recommended to consult with
dermatologists for treatment advice."
If a client's fungal skin condition is severe,
recurring, or not
responding to
over-the-counter
treatments,
Crumm advises
professionals to
refer the client to
a dermatologist.
"Dermatologists
can provide a
diagnosis and
prescribe stronger
medications if
needed," he says.
FUNGI AND
YOUR PRACTICE
As a skin care professional, becoming familiar
with fungi—both their benefits and their
dangers—can be hugely beneficial in treating
clients. While more robust scientific evidence is
needed to prove the skin benefits of mushrooms,
there's no denying their nutritional value and
multifunctionality—as well as their growing
popularity in many skin care formulations.
Notes
1. Nanjangud V. Anil Kumar et al., "Potential of Mushrooms
Bioactive for the Treatment of Skin Diseases and Disorders,"
Journal of Food Biochemistry 2023, no. 5915769 (December
2023), hindawi.com/journals/jfbc/2023/5915769.
2. María Elena Valverde, Talía Hernández-Pérez, and Octavio Paredes-
López, "Edible Mushrooms: Improving Human Health and Promoting
Quality Life," International Journal of Microbiology 2015, no. 376387
(January 2015), hindawi.com/journals/ijmicro/2015/376387.
3. Valverde, Hernández-Pérez, and Paredes-López, "Edible Mushrooms:
Improving Human Health and Promoting Quality Life."
4. Kumar et al., Journal of Food Biochemistry.
5. Kumar et al., Journal of Food Biochemistry.
6. Kumar et al., Journal of Food Biochemistry.
7. Sissi Wachtel-Galor et al., Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular
and Clinical Aspects, 2nd ed., eds. IFF Benzie and S.
Wachtel-Galor (Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press/Taylor &
Francis, 2011), ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92757.
8. Kumar et al., Journal of Food Biochemistry.
9. Drugs.com, "Lion's Mane Mushroom," last reviewed November
21, 2023, drugs.com/npp/lion-s-mane-mushroom.html.
10. Aleksandra Ziemlewska et al., "Assessment of Cosmetic Properties
and Safety of Use of Model Washing Gels with Reishi, Maitake and
Lion's Mane Extracts," Molecules 27, no. 16 (August 2022): 5090,
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/
articles/PMC9412612.
11. Memorial Sloan
Kettering Cancer
Center, "Chaga
Mushroom," last
reviewed February
20, 2023, mskcc.org/
cancer-care/integrative-
medicine/herbs/
chaga-mushroom.
12. Bao-qin Lin and Shao-
ping Li, Herbal Medicine:
Biomolecular and Clinical
Aspects, 2nd ed., eds.
IFF Benzie and S.
Wachtel-Galor (Boca
Raton, Florida: CRC
Press/Taylor & Francis,
2011), ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/
books/NBK92758.
13. Eun-Ju Choi et al., "Anti-atopic Dermatitis Properties for Cordyceps
Militaris on TNFα/IFNγ-stimulated HaCaT Cells and Experimentally
Induced Atopic Dermatitis in Mice," Physical Activity and Nutrition 24, no.
4 (December 2020): 7–14, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7931639.
14. Yu-Ji Wu et al., "Structure, Bioactivities and Applications of the
Polysaccharides from Tremella Fuciformis Mushroom: A Review,"
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 121 (January
2019): 1005–10, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30342120.
15. Daniel J. Royse, Lee C. Schisler, and Douglas A. Diehle,
"Shiitake Mushrooms Consumption, Production and Cultivation,"
Interdisciplinary Science Reviews 10, no. 4 (December 1985):
329–35, researchgate.net/publication/233523075 _ Shiitake_
Mushrooms_Consumption_ Production_ and_Cultivation.
16. US Department of Agriculture, "Mushrooms, Shiitake, Dried," April 1,
2019, fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/168436/nutrients.
17. Richard M. Rubenstein and Sarah A. Malerich, "Malassezia (Pityrosporum)
Folliculitis," Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology 7, no. 3
(March 2014): 37–41, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3970831.
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