Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: Harry01 on 18/04/2022 02:39:27

Title: Can a fungus be a parasite and what distinguishes the two?
Post by: Harry01 on 18/04/2022 02:39:27
I might be getting somewhere with treating this skin problem. Well, let's hope. I was curious though in biology what makes something a parasite and whether a fungus can be seen as a parasite in some instances.

Still awaiting follow up appointments and kind of just trying antifungal shampoos that the pharmacist agreed I can use. Keeping going with all this stuff until resolution and hopefully fighting to change the entire system so they can learn to actually follow the scientific method.

 





Title: Re: Can a fungus be a parasite and what distinguishes the two?
Post by: evan_au on 18/04/2022 23:21:46
A parasite draws nutrition from a living organism (without benefitting the host organism).
- A saprophyte draws nutrition from a dead organism (the host is now beyond help)

To blur the distinction, humans often get fungal skin infections. The outer layers of skin cells are not living, but they still provide a useful protective layer for the living cells underneath. So technically, many of these fungal infections are actually saprophytes rather than parasites. But it still causes disease in humans.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fungus
Title: Re: Can a fungus be a parasite and what distinguishes the two?
Post by: Harry01 on 18/04/2022 23:30:44
But what about this fungus. The off vaseline that I put on my skin back in 2015 was yellow and had an odour. That was a fungus growing in it, right?

Just trying to make sense of this.
Title: Re: Can a fungus be a parasite and what distinguishes the two?
Post by: Bored chemist on 19/04/2022 17:54:17
That was a fungus growing in it, right?
Probably not.
There's practically no water in Vaseline, and all life needs water to grow.
Title: Re: Can a fungus be a parasite and what distinguishes the two?
Post by: Harry01 on 19/04/2022 18:22:39
Thanks, Bored. What could it possibly be?
Title: Re: Can a fungus be a parasite and what distinguishes the two?
Post by: Bored chemist on 19/04/2022 18:58:10
Well, it could be some unknown contaminant- but that wouldn't still be there after this time.
Or it could be nothing to do with the Vaseline.

You must have had some reason to put that vaseline on your skin.
Maybe that's the actual problem.
Title: Re: Can a fungus be a parasite and what distinguishes the two?
Post by: alancalverd on 19/04/2022 20:21:49
Major use for vaseline is to protect battery terminals from acid corrosion. Might account for the smelly yellow stuff left by a previous user, which has necrotised a bit of skin.
Title: Re: Can a fungus be a parasite and what distinguishes the two?
Post by: Bored chemist on 19/04/2022 20:39:36
Major use for vaseline is to protect battery terminals from acid corrosion. Might account for the smelly yellow stuff left by a previous user, which has necrotised a bit of skin.
Burned skin heals in under 7 years unless there's something else wrong.
Title: Re: Can a fungus be a parasite and what distinguishes the two?
Post by: Harry01 on 19/04/2022 20:55:02
I put it there because due to my pain disorder/condition I have sensitive sites on my body. But it's muscular or at least originates from this. The skin itself was fine.

I have had two skin conditions in my lifetime and both involved something added to the skin. 1.) Scabies from a parasite, that has the reddening that goes with an allergic reaction and 2.) from frequent use of an aloe Vera gel where I got redblisters as part of an allergic reaction.

The scabies needed the thing that kills the mite to get rid of it. The allergic reaction from the aloe Vera gel just required stopping using it.

The skin itself was fine up until I used this product 'labelled vaseline'. So I guess all we know is that they sold me this yellow thing in a vaseline container if you don't think it can stay on your skin

That's the one thing I am sure about. It's greasy, itchy on the skin and has an odour.

At least maybe I can just say that I bought a product meant for the skin and leave out vaseline if you don't think vaseline can harbour such a thing. As you said it would need moisture.

Title: Re: Can a fungus be a parasite and what distinguishes the two?
Post by: Harry01 on 19/04/2022 20:58:34
Sorry to clarify. If you don't think a contaminant in the vaseline could cause an ongoing skin condition.
Title: Re: Can a fungus be a parasite and what distinguishes the two?
Post by: Bored chemist on 19/04/2022 21:22:16
Sorry to clarify. If you don't think a contaminant in the vaseline could cause an ongoing skin condition.
Not one that would last this long.


Incidentally, Vaseline has an odour- a slight one but definite. It smells like mineral oil.
Title: Re: Can a fungus be a parasite and what distinguishes the two?
Post by: Bored chemist on 19/04/2022 21:23:39
The skin itself was fine up until I used this product
I don't understand, surely it was not fine- or why would you have used the product?
Title: Re: Can a fungus be a parasite and what distinguishes the two?
Post by: Harry01 on 20/04/2022 00:50:55
True, it does have a smell but not like this. It's kind of rank the smell. And what's on my skin has the same smell as what was in the jar.

Look I used it on this area as I said sites of my body elicit pain with little pressure. So if I move my ear for instance to clean behind it I experience pain. There's nothing wrong with my skin and I only have the skin problem in the areas I put this stuff.

I can explain further but it is definitely what was in the product that caused the skin condition. It was unmistakable as it took place immediately on application. This smelly yellow stuff going on your skin and not coming off.

I mean that's why I thought it was some kind of fungus. I have to call it something without knowing.

Thanks
Title: Re: Can a fungus be a parasite and what distinguishes the two?
Post by: paul cotter on 20/04/2022 10:36:47
I on't know where the op is based but here in Ireland Vaseline comes two distinct forms. one is translucent and virtually colourless and the other has a distinct yellow cast.
Title: Re: Can a fungus be a parasite and what distinguishes the two?
Post by: Harry01 on 20/04/2022 18:10:33
Thanks Paul,

It doesn't really matter though since it's not vaseline that is causing it but whatever else they sold me. I've no idea now what it is. I will finish the fifth day of this antifungal and then I have a dermatology appointment in May where they will probably gaslight me again.

One arrogant clinician 'diagnosed' it as lichen schlerosus. Haha, I was really psychologically distressed by the experience.
Title: Re: Can a fungus be a parasite and what distinguishes the two?
Post by: Bored chemist on 20/04/2022 19:41:40
It doesn't really matter though since it's not vaseline that is causing it but whatever else they sold me.
It almost certainly isn't.
Not after 7 years or whatever.
Title: Re: Can a fungus be a parasite and what distinguishes the two?
Post by: Harry01 on 21/04/2022 11:43:17
I'm just really on edge because of my experience of this. How do I get proper help? It's really distressing.
Title: Re: Can a fungus be a parasite and what distinguishes the two?
Post by: Harry01 on 21/04/2022 12:04:03
It is a very horrid feeling to feel like you are fighting against the health service. You should be able to have confidence in who is treating you. You just should.

I stand by what I said: whatever I called this, however I described this it should have been engaged with in a proper manner. There is really a problem if this sort of thing is happening.
Title: Re: Can a fungus be a parasite and what distinguishes the two?
Post by: Harry01 on 24/04/2022 05:22:54
Well I am glad I expressed this. I was grateful that you engaged with me here. I had hoped that when I started describing it in terms that were possible I might start getting some engagement.

I guess I will keep following up with the hospital. I don't understand this.

It's so depressing. Your life just stops for one reason or another. I was treated instantly for scabies back in 2004. I think I would have gone completely mad if I had lived with it for several years. Just completely needless and stupid.

Yes, coming from the mad person who said he had vaseline stuck to his skin.

It's so similar to my pain syndrome/disorder. I had seen an alternative therapist for treatment and he brainwashed me with this https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolfing

I was taken in because you find your pain symptoms improving. But then my mental health went downhill and I had these violent psychosomatic spasms in my 20s. It was only after my second bout of these when I then felt pain all over my body that I started to challenge this 'guru' man.

I made a lot of progress. I thought I'd share this story.

I point it out because I was always right in one sense even if I was very wrong in another.
Title: Re: Can a fungus be a parasite and what distinguishes the two?
Post by: Harry01 on 28/04/2022 08:28:19
What do I say to my GP surgery? It's very hard living with this separate pain disorder. I thought that it was best to focus on one thing and testing one thing and seeing how that made me feel.

I really struggle with this. I struggled 'normally'.
Title: Re: Can a fungus be a parasite and what distinguishes the two?
Post by: Harry01 on 01/05/2022 14:37:47
There might be some chance this salycic acid works though they told me to use it once a week. The way it works would make sense as treatment it works for verucas at least but at a higher concentration. It is 0.5%. w/w Capasal.

Title: Re: Can a fungus be a parasite and what distinguishes the two?
Post by: Harry01 on 24/06/2022 22:17:40
What it tells you is if you buy something online that goes on your skin you can't count that there is a single person in the healthcare system who will help you. You're probably better off hanging yourself
Title: Re: Can a fungus be a parasite and what distinguishes the two?
Post by: Harry01 on 24/06/2022 22:19:08
I don't want to be alive any more
Title: Re: Can a fungus be a parasite and what distinguishes the two?
Post by: Eternal Student on 24/06/2022 22:29:50
Hi.

   I'm not sure what the question was about but the last post is worrying.

I don't want to be alive any more

  That seems like something you should be discussing with a professional as soon as possible and not just some online forum where none of us (I think) are medical professionals.

Best Wishes.
Title: Re: Can a fungus be a parasite and what distinguishes the two?
Post by: Harry01 on 24/06/2022 22:32:32
Being a 'professional' doesn't matter. They don't have any special insights. They don't understand my pain disorder/syndrome and they haven't engaged with or treated this thing on my skin and it's been over 7 years. If the professionals who can help exist they're not common.
Title: Re: Can a fungus be a parasite and what distinguishes the two?
Post by: Colin2B on 24/06/2022 23:44:36
Hi.

   I'm not sure what the question was about but the last post is worrying.

I don't want to be alive any more

  That seems like something you should be discussing with a professional as soon as possible and not just some online forum where none of us (I think) are medical professionals.

Best Wishes.
There are a number of medical professionals here, but it is impossible (and would be wrong) to try and make a diagnosis without performing a number of tests which can only be done in a clinic.

This forum is clearly not helping the OP, and may be harming his mental state, we can only reiterate the advice given by ES. Seek professional help and keep escalating the problems until you get a diagnosis.