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Thread: Jungle Rot?

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    naturalist primitive your_comforting_company's Avatar
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    Default Jungle Rot?

    A friend said he was watching something on Discovery, maybe man/woman/wild?? and said they said something about staying wet with sweat for long durations causing 'jungle rot'. I did some googling and found out it is a fungal infection, not unlike athletes foot.

    I was hoping someone on here either had experience they were not embarrassed to share, or maybe more information in links we may peruse.

    Spending roughly 14 hours a day, soaking wet with sweat in sweltering heat and stagnant humidity has made me aware of this affliction. Granted I check myself for abnormalities every time I shower (tick check, etc.) and I noticed under my arms, some reddish irritation. Lucky for me, it was something in my deodorant, but the instant my friend mentioned jungle rot, I wanted to know better how to identify it and prevent it.
    He suggested not wearing "undergarments" or other tight fitting clothing might keep me from getting it, and I certainly dont' want to get it, but I'm not the kind of redneck that goes around with his junk swinging around, uncontained either..

    So what say you? I know there are some folks on here with medical training and expertise, and of course, our very own Minister of Science.. come on.. don't hold back! It's hot, and humid, and we need this info to survive the "Southern Sweat".

    http://www.ehow.com/list_6017519_jun...-symptoms.html
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    Hall Monitor Pal334's Avatar
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    I learned from an "old timer" (bet he was almost 21 years old) in Vietnam in late 74-75 that taking a preemptive approach, using rubbing alcohol to wash down "vital areas" at the beginning of the day and the end would help alot (and could sting alot) . It did not completely eliminate the problem, but it did seem to make it less irritating. I continued with that "regime" through out my career and even to this day if I am to be working out in a high humidity environment, or when deployed and hygene facilities were limited. I don't know the science of it, just know it seems to work for me.
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    Senior Member Old GI's Avatar
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    When in Panama, I stopped wearing drawers under my cammies, it stopped in that region. Some guys went without socks in jungle boots; I couldn't go that far.
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    Administrator Rick's Avatar
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    If you haven't had a problem to date then I would suspect it won't be a problem. Anytime the skin is wet for long durations it's going to break down. The military sees it as "jungle rot" and "trench foot". It doesn't matter the location on the body.

    Since our body is covered in yeast, fungus, bacteria and viruses it's pretty easy for that stuff to find a way in once the skin breaks and the environment is beneficial to it's growth. Some of that bacteria is good stuff, by the way.

    Since you haven't had a problem, I'd suspect the flora of your skin is sufficient to help protect you and keep the "bad" bugs at bay. Showering and drying off in the evenings is probably enough to let your skin recover.

    Obviously, I'm not a doctor but I did stay an a Holiday Inn Express last night.
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    Super Moderator crashdive123's Avatar
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    Continual cleaning and drying is the key to prevent issues. If you get an open wound, get some antibacterial/antimicrobial ointment on it so that the little nasties all around and all over us can't get a "foothold". Just like changing your socks when hiking to give your feet a break - or fresh outlook.
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    Not a Mod finallyME's Avatar
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    Petroleum Jelly, or something similar. You can use petroleum jelly for other things as well, so I like to take it with me. Basically, it coats the skin and prevents water from touching the skin. Sweat goes through it and sits on top of it to dry. It also moistens the skin and provides good friction for the high friction areas. I generally just use it in the crotch area, but sometimes I put in in my arm pits. I know people who put it in their feet as well. Women have to be careful with it in the crotch area. They need something water based, not oil based there. Hydropel is a common brand name you can find in outdoor stores. You can also use baby diaper rash cream, A&D is the best IMHO.
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    naturalist primitive your_comforting_company's Avatar
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    Thanks for the tips guys. I'll change undies when I come home for lunch and maybe I'll never have a problem in the future. An ounce of prevention...
    Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing. Helen Keller

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    I have no source for this info other than a loudspeaker in the movie Good Morning Vietnam.

    Pee on your feet!

    Urea kills fungus. Urea is an ingredient in many anti-fungal remedies, although it may not be listed.

    I guess if I had fungus in my armpits I'd try to pee there too, but that could be tricky. If you get mouth fungus, well I don't know what to tell you.

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    Senior Member NightShade's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by rwc1969 View Post
    If you get mouth fungus, well I don't know what to tell you.
    open wide......
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    Senior Member Camp10's Avatar
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    Now, dont make fun of me... I switched to boxer briefs after a very nasty case of some kind of rash I developed on a week long hunting trip. I had a tough time fighting that mess out in the woods. A tent trip during October up in northern Maine is a tough place to heal from...well, you know. I've never had an issue after I switched.

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    Super Moderator crashdive123's Avatar
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    This has always been helpful in areas that chaff.

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    Senior Member hunter63's Avatar
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    Key is to change underware,................. I give mine to Brad, he gives him to Ron, he gives his to Joe, then now they are so big they just get burned.

    They sell "Monkey Butte" powder around here, ever try that?
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    Super Moderator crashdive123's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by hunter63 View Post
    Key is to change underware,................. I give mine to Brad, he gives him to Ron, he gives his to Joe, then now they are so big they just get burned.

    They sell "Monkey Butte" powder around here, ever try that?
    Yep.

    http://www.antimonkeybutt.com/
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    I wore briefs for ever. I ain't had a problem since switching to boxers.

    I also use alcohol wipes to clean.

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    Super Moderator crashdive123's Avatar
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    All this talk about boxers and briefs. I say it depends.
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    In SEA it didn't take me long to ditch the underwear. Socks I carried several extra pair, You changed them out when ever you could and tied the dirtest pair to the outside of your ruck to air out.

    Humor: One of my guys was getting a wee bit of rash in the groin area and we were sharing a few drinks when we got back to the houch. He asked me "Sarge what can I do about this stuff"

    In my inebriated state I suggested using rubbing alcohol to solve the problem.
    He wasn't thinking too clearly either and used several handfuls instead of a small amount.

    We almost fell off our sandbag seats laughing watching him naked throwing dirt onto the effected area trying to put out the fire. In a day or so he was fine and the rash was also gone.

    You had to be there to enjoy the scene. We found humor when and where we could
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    One of my adventures led me to Panama for jungle warfare training. One of the things I made my team carry was a jar of noxema skin cream, that and extra socks in water proof plastic bags.

    At the end of each day it was time to apply the cream to, well, basically adult diaper rash spots. It burned but after about 15 minutes when the pain went away, you would not have to worry about bleeding while walking the next day.

    This is what always amazed me about Bear in his adventures. He never gets foot or any kind of rot while constantly wet in jungle environments.

    Underwear was not worn.


    I've noticed this year, since it's been a pretty hot summer and I work outside that I've been getting heat rash's in a few spots. I've switched from wearing jeans to lightweight khaki pants sometimes changing at lunch. I've also started putting a towel down on the viynl truckseat when I drive. This has worked great. For the rash, a cool shower with ivory soap, air dry and diaper rash cream does wonders.
    Last edited by FVR; 08-22-2010 at 03:44 PM.

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    How do you choose the best choose the best product among the ones listed here?
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    Administrator Rick's Avatar
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    Dang. Give it a rest.

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    Alas, we shall never know how to choose from those products listed there.

    As many clicks as they must get I don't know why they don't just say "Click here to infect your computer with malware Quick before I'm banned!"


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