The prevention of fungal infections requires some care and effort. There is a variety of ways you can lower your risk of contracting fungal diseases. Maintaining your personal hygiene is one of the most important parts of this prevention.
However, there are some factors that may be outside of your control. Did you know that your body temperature plays a part in keeping you safe from infection?
Body Temperature and the Prevention of Fungal Infections
Scientists have discovered that the human body temperature has a special quality.
Fungal infections don’t spread easily at 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit.
They observed the effects of raising body temperature. Even a slight change makes infection more likely. Thus, having a lower body temperature is better for the prevention of fungal infections.
However, there is a downside that comes with lower body heat. Your metabolism slows down at a lower temperature. This means that you require more food.
So this is a major part of why mammals have a higher body heat than other animals.
The scientists made a theoretical model that involved these concerns. They calculated the best balance between low and high body temperatures. So what did they find?
At 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, we are at the perfect balance point. Our metabolism is fast enough that we don’t have to eat all the time. But we are also fairly safe from fungal infections.
A Final Word
The warmest parts of the body are the most at risk of fungal infection. This includes armpits and toes, as well as genitals.
Hence, it is especially important to maintain good hygiene in those areas. You should also make sure to keep them as dry as possible.
