Hello Ratul,
Yours is a case of an overgrowth of fungus on the underarm skin, being areas of the skin folds. This may be more common in the summer months because of perspiration that accumulates within the skin folds. Sometimes, it is because of over usage of even perfumes/deodorants in those areas. Such health issues also occur because of increased toxicity in our body, unhygienic lifestyle and lifestyle stresses.
Yoga alone will not help you much. So, alongwith Yoga therapy, I have made some recommendations,which can be helpful to you. You should also consult with your physician while going through the following recommendations:
1. Hygiene
- Take bath with the water mixed with baking soda. Alternatively, you can also take bath with neem water. Baking soda being alkaline does not allow fungus to grow. Neem being antiseptic does not allow bacteria to grow. After bath, you may try to apply aloe vera gel. If it is extracted directly from plants, it will be better.
- Always keep the underarms clean and properly wash the underarms properly and thoroughly when bathing.
- Avoid deodorants or antiperspirants or perfumes.
- Wear lighter & pure cotton clothing to promote ventilation and so that sweat/perspiration accumulation can be prevented. Vests should also be of cotton and sleeveful, because then the underarms come in contact with outer clothing which may or may not be of cotton and then be the cause of accumulation of sweat.
- During weekends, before bathing, use Multani mitti on the affected area for half an hour. Alternatively, you can try aloe vera gel. First try and see the results. If the results are favourable, continue, else stop its use.
- As a part of the detoxification, you can also use Triphala powder with warm water at night for few days and then stop. Also see if you are suffering from usual constipation, then you can also use Isabgol but during that time, never use triphala. First solve the constipation problem, and then go for triphala powder.
- Take sunbath for 10-15 minutes in the early morning regularly.
2. Yoga
We can use yoga as a part of the eliminative process to counter the fungus issue. But the same should be done only under the supervision of qualified yoga therapist or yoga instructor:
(i) Shatkarmas: Shatmarkas are major 6 types of cleansing actions designed under the Yoga Protocol. Among one of them is Shankh Prakshalana. It will effectively help as most of the disorders and diseases including infections are related to unhygienic environment within the intestines. In the first instance, you should go through laghu shankh prakshalan which is mini-shankh prakshalan that will take less efforts and time as per compared to main shankh prakshalan. This is wonderful technique for releasing toxins from the intestines by inducing diarrhea. But this should be under the supervision of qualified yoga instructor. Alternatively, you can do kunjal kriya as well as jala neti. Kunjal Kriya is little bit effortful and require little bit of supervision. As far as jala neti is concerned, you can do the same using the video instructions that are already available on youtube. If you require the same from my side, write to me so that I can upload for you to see the instructions.
(ii) Asana: Sarvangasana, Matsyasana, pachhimottanasana, surya namaskar are helpful for skin disorders. If you suffer from severe hypertension, or lower backpain, then you should not do these asanas. It will then better to do suksham vyayam.
(iii) Pranayama: Kapalbhati Pranayama, Nadhi Shodhan and Sheetali Pranayama will be effectively help you in detoxifying the Annamaya Shareer as well as Pranamaya Shareer and hence getting relief in fungus condition.
3. Beating Anxiety and Stress
You truly mentioned that Ayurveda has linked the skin infections with the anxieties. I therefore suggest you to practice any two of the following psychological exercises:
(i) Yoga Nidra. You should practice it everyday. One Youtube video on Yoga Nidra By Bihar School of Yoga – Swami Satyendra
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPTRzOxmbZ8
(ii) Cyclic Meditation. You can get the details of cyclic meditation at the link:
https://www.slideshare.net/trivedigunjan/cyclic-meditation
(iii) To beat anxiety, you need to practice Systematic Desensitization. As you have not told about nature of anxiety, I am not sure which instructions will help you to desensitize you. You can let me know the stimulus which cause you anxiety so that I can design the instructions accordingly.
(iv) Cleansing Imagery: I have added the instructions about the imagery which you can use as a remedy to your skin infections. You can use it after exercise or pranayama session. Images in the mind are treated as real events by the body and they can help to heal. So, you can do imagination everyday according to the following instructions I have given below. You can even record in your mobile phone and then can listen to it. If you require pre-recorded guided instructions from myside, reply to this answer, I will upload it for you to download it.
You can practice this imagery in the morning after the exercise or even without exercise, or just before sleeping to counter anxieties and induce relaxation. Choose a quiet place where you are not disturbed for a while during imagery exercise.
Lie down flat on your back either on bed or floor or you can also sit in relaxing chair to do the following imagery. Just keep your spine straight and you must be able to relax easily in these positions.
(a) Cleansing the body
Close the eyes and imagine that the air you are breathing is pure and bright, and as you inhale, a stream of golden light from the universe flows into you. It makes you feel fresh and good. Breathe it into all the parts of your body, one after the other – toes, feet, legs, knees, thighs, hips, lower back, abdomen, chest, hands, arms, shoulders, neck, face and head. Feel the warm light flow into your body, let every cell bathe in it. As you continue breathing, allow your body to dissolve completely in the golden light, allowing every part of the body to release and relax.
Having established contact with each part of the body, listen to what it needs. Exhale the tension and pain there is any part of the body like a black stream, maintaining awareness in that part. For poor functioning, send bright golden energy into the affected part. Weak points get strengthened and harmonized by consciously breathing golden light into them.
(b) Cleansing the mind
When you exhale, let a heavy, stream of black air flow out of your nose, releasing all your heavy thoughts and anxieties. Negative emotions and feelings should be exhaled in a calm manner with the firm conviction that no emotions are permanent. Visualise the black stream of negativity going far away into the universe.
4. Diet
You can try intermittent fasting for a couple of weeks in the line of detoxification. Reduce crystal white sugar and milk products. Instead use jaggery instead of white sugar. Alongwith it, avoid processed foods.
As far as diet is concerned, it will better if you could add a bowl of 2-3 fruits in morning and a bowl of salads of 2-3 raw vegetables before lunch, that will add to your immunity against fungus infection.
I have replied to your question comprehensively. May some of the points raise some doubts to be cleared, feel free to write to me, I will be happy to clear your doubts.
