Vitamin D3 is the most bioactive and absorbable type of vitamin D; your skin produces ample D3 upon sun exposure. Scientific research suggests that vitamin D3 plays an important role in keeping your immune system strong. Although major diseases are now correlated with vitamin D deficiency, this is not the case for fungal infections. With the exception of chronic sinusitis, vitamin D3 has not been found to have a positive or negative effect on fungi.
Chronic Fungal Sinusitis
Chronic sinusitis consists of inflammation of the sinuses of the facial bones. These cavities are filled with air that circulates freely, and normally there are no pathogens or mucus accumulated. U.S. National Library of Medicine reports that when the sinus openings become blocked or too much mucus builds up, bacteria and other germs can grow more easily. Mayo Clinic scientists consider chronic sinusitis an allergic disorder; they found that patients' cells showed exaggerated responses to the common airborne fungi Alternaria alternata, while such reaction was absent from normal people. A study published in the journal “Clinical Experimental Immunology” reported that vitamin D deficiency was directly correlated with the number of immune cells in the blood of patients with chronic sinusitis. The same study suggests that vitamin D seems to be a key player in the immunopathology of the specific disorder.
Vitamin D and Immune System
More and more scientific evidence about the important tole of vitamin D in regulating the immune system becomes available. A review published in August 2011 in the journal "The Proceedings of The Nutrition Society" confirms that vitamin D directly interacts with important immune cells and controls the production of antibodies as well. Deficiency of vitamin D is now linked to serious immune disorders such as diabetes type 1, multiple sclerosis and the infection tuberculosis. Despite the paramount importance of vitamin D3 in the immune system, as of September 2011 there is no evidence suggesting that it plays any role in fungal infections, other than chronic sinusitis.
Skin and Nail Fungal Infections
Superficial fungal infections can affect different parts of the body. Nail infections appear in the beginning as a white or yellow spot under the tip of your fingernail or toenail. As the nail fungus spreads deeper into your nail, it may cause your nail to discolor, thicken and develop crumbling edges. Athlete's foot is another famous fungal infection common in athletes. It usually appears between the toes and rarely in other parts of the foot. Mayo Clinic reports that this condition causes itching and burning feelings in the affected area. Ringworm is also a skin fungal infection; it can appear in many parts of the body, such as beard, groin and scalp. According to U.S National Library of Medicine, ringworm appears as itchy, red, scaly patches that may blister.
Prevention and Treatment
It is important to note that all fungal infections of the skin and nails are highly contagious. You can treat most infections with over-the-counter antifungal medication. If it does not respond to these drugs, your physician can prescribe stronger medication, oral treatment or topical solutions. Antifungal powder can be used to keep shoes and feet dry. Keep your nails short and clean. Protect your feet when you are in public areas such as showers. Do not share shoes or clothes with other people, as this maximizes the exposure to potential pathogens, fungi included.
References
- “The Proceedings of the Nutrition Society”; Vitamin D and Immune Function: An Overview; Hewison M.; August 2011
- “Clinical Experimental Immunology”; Vitamin D(3) Correlates Inversely with Systemic Dendritic Cell Numbers and Bone Erosion in Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps and Allergic Fungal Rhinosinusitis; Mulligan J.K., et al.; June 2011
- Linus Pauling Institute; Vitamin D; June 2011
- Mayo Clinic; Nail Fungus; August 2011
- Mayoclinic.com; Mechanisms of Chronic Rhinosinusitis; Kita Hirohito
- Mayo Clinic; Athlete's Foot; November 2010
- PubMed Health; Sinusitis; April 2010
- PubMed Health; Ringworms; May 2011
