Show A fungal infection, also called mycosis, is a skin disease caused by a fungus. There are millions of species of fungi. They live in the dirt, on plants, on household surfaces, and on your skin. Sometimes, they can lead to skin problems like rashes or bumps. A fungal skin infection might cause:
Fungal skin infections can happen anywhere on your body. Some of the most common are athlete's foot, jock itch, ringworm, and yeast infections.  The fungi grow best in warm, moist places such as shoes, socks, swimming pools, locker rooms, and public showers. They’re often found in the summer and in hot, humid climates. It happens more often in people who wear tight shoes, who don’t change their sweaty socks, and who use public baths and pools. Athlete's foot causes The fungi behind athlete’s foot live on the dead tissue of your hair, toenails, and outer skin layers. At least four kinds of fungus can cause the infection. The most common is Trichophyton rubrum. Athlete's foot symptoms Signs of athlete's foot vary from person to person. You might have:
Types of athlete's foot
Athlete's foot diagnosis Not all itchy, scaly feet are caused by a fungus. Your doctor may scrape off a bit of skin and look at it under a microscope to check for a different condition. Athlete's foot treatment Your doctor might give you antifungal medicine to put on your skin or, in severe cases, another kind to take by mouth. Be sure to keep your feet clean and dry. Athlete's foot prevention To keep from getting athlete’s foot, wear shower sandals in public showering areas, wear shoes that let your feet breathe, and wash your feet every day with soap and water. Dry them thoroughly, and use a quality foot powder. A type of fungus called tinea causes jock itch. The infection is also known as tinea cruris. Tinea loves warm, moist areas like your genitals, inner thighs, and buttocks. Infections happen more often in the summer or in warm, wet climates. Jock itch is a red, itchy rash that’s often ring-shaped. Is jock itch contagious? It’s only mildly contagious. It can spread from person to person through direct contact or indirectly through objects with the fungus on them. Jock itch symptoms Symptoms of jock itch include:
Jock itch diagnosis Doctors can usually diagnose it by what it looks like and where it is on your body. They might look at a sample of skin under a microscope to be sure. Jock itch treatment Keep the affected area clean and dry. Over-the-counter antifungal medicines can treat most cases of jock itch. In severe cases, your doctor might need to give you a prescription cream. No matter your treatment, be sure to:
Ringworm, also called tinea corporis, isn’t a worm but a fungal skin infection. It’s named for its ring-shaped rash with a winding, worm-like edge. Is ringworm contagious? Ringworm can spread through direct contact with infected people or animals. You can also pick it up off clothing or furniture. Heat and humidity can help spread the infection. Ringworm symptoms Ringworm is a red, circular, flat sore that can happen along with scaly skin. The outer part of the sore might be raised while the skin in the middle appears normal. Patches or red rings may overlap. Ringworm diagnosis Your doctor can diagnose ringworm based on your symptoms. They might ask whether you’ve come into contact with infected people or animals. They might also take samples from the area and look at them under a microscope to be sure. Ringworm treatment Treatment usually involves antifungal medications that you put on your skin. You might use an over-the-counter cream such as: In more severe cases, you might need prescription medications to put on your skin or take by mouth. Yeast infections of your skin are called cutaneous candidiasis. A type of fungus called candida causes these infections when it grows too much. Yeast infections aren’t contagious. The infections are most common in warm, moist, creased areas of your body, including your armpits and groin. They often happen in people who are obese or who have diabetes. People taking antibiotics are also at higher risk. Candida can cause diaper rash in infants. It can also cause infections in your nails, vagina, or mouth (oral thrush). Yeast infection symptoms Signs of a yeast infection on your skin include:
Signs of a yeast infection in your nail beds include:
Signs of thrush (yeast infection of your mouth) include:
Signs of a vaginal yeast infection include:
Yeast infection diagnosis Your doctor will ask about your medical history and do a physical exam. They might also take a sample from the affected area to look at under a microscope. Yeast infection treatment Treatment depends on the infection. Medicated creams can treat most skin yeast infections. For a vaginal infection, you can usually use medicated suppositories. A medicated mouthwash or lozenges that dissolve in your mouth may treat oral thrush. If you have a severe infection or a weakened immune system, you might need anti-yeast medications that you take by mouth.
Like many microbes, there are helpful fungi and harmful fungi. When harmful fungi invade the body, they can be difficult to kill, as they can survive in the environment and re-infect the person trying to get better. In this article, we take a look at who is most at risk of getting a fungal infection and what the symptoms and treatment options are for some common types. Changes in the appearance of skin and itching are common symptoms of many fungal infections. The symptoms of a fungal infection will depend on the type, but common symptoms include the following:
Read on to find out more about some common types of fungal infections, their symptoms, and the treatment options. The following conditions are all common types of fungal infections. Athlete’s footTinea pedis or athlete’s foot is a common fungal infection that affects the foot. Athlete’s foot is commonly associated with sports and athletes because the fungus grows perfectly in warm, moist environments, such as socks and shoes, sports equipment, and locker rooms. In reality, anyone may be affected by athlete’s foot. It is most common in warmer climates and summer months, where it can quickly multiply. Symptoms Athlete’s foot is a common infection where the fungus grows in warm and moist environments. The symptoms of athlete’s foot may vary slightly from person to person and can look red on lighter skin tones but appear dark brown on darker skin tones. Classic symptoms include:
Diagnosis, treatment, and prevention Not all itchy feet are the result athlete’s foot. Doctors usually diagnose the infection by scraping scaling skin off of a person and inspecting it under a microscope for evidence of any fungus. There are a few different fungi that can cause athlete’s foot. The infection may behave differently depending on the specific fungus that is infecting the skin. Athlete’s foot is often treated with topical antifungal ointments, which are available to purchase over-the-counter or online. Severe infections can require additional oral medications as well. The feet will also need to be cared for and kept dry to help kill the fungus. Prevention methods include allowing the feet plenty of air to breathe and keeping them clean and dry. It is a good idea to wear sandals in public showers or locker rooms. Yeast infectionVaginal yeast infections are a common form ofCandida overgrowth in women, usually caused by Candida albicans. An overgrowth of Candida disrupts the normal balance of the bacteria and yeast in the vagina. This imbalance of bacteria may be due to antibiotics, stress, hormone imbalances, or poor eating habits, among other things. Candida infections can also commonly cause fungal toenail infections and diaper rash. Symptoms Symptoms of a yeast infection include:
A rash may develop over time in some cases. Yeast infections should be treated quickly, as the symptoms may become severe if left untreated. Diagnosis, treatment, and prevention The classic symptoms of a yeast infection make them easy to diagnose. Doctors may ask about the person’s medical history, such as any previous yeast infections or sexually transmitted infections (STIs). They may also ask whether the person was recently taking antibiotics. Doctors will then examine the vaginal walls and cervix for signs of infection, taking cells from the vagina if necessary for proper diagnosis. Treatment of yeast infections depends on their severity. Standard treatments include creams, tablets, or suppositories, which are available via prescription, over-the-counter, or online. Complicated infections may require complex treatments. Avoiding yeast infections begins with a balanced diet and proper hygiene. Wearing loose-fitting clothing made from natural fibers may also help prevent infection. Washing underwear in very hot water and changing feminine products often can also help prevent fungal growth. Jock itchTinea cruris, commonly known as jock itch, is another common fungal skin infection. These fungi love warm and damp environments and thrive in moist areas of the body, such as the groin, buttocks, and inner thighs. Jock itch may be more common in summer or in warm, humid areas of the world. Jock itch is mildly contagious and is often spread through direct contact with an infected person or an object that is carrying the fungus. SymptomsThrush can affect the genital area in men as well as women. Jock itch appears on the body as an itchy, rash that often has a circular shape to it. Symptoms include:
Diagnosis, treatment, and prevention Jock itch has a very particular look and can usually be identified based on its appearance. If doctors are uncertain, they may take a skin sample to inspect and confirm their diagnosis. Treating jock itch usually involves topical antifungal ointments and proper hygiene. Many cases of jock itch are improved by over-the-counter medications, though some require prescription medications. Cleaning the affected area and keeping it dry can also help kill the fungus. Jock itch can be prevented by wearing loose-fitting natural fibers, such as cotton underwear which is available to buy online. Avoiding contact with others who have the infection is also important. Avoiding shared items, such as towels and sporting equipment may also help. RingwormTinea corporis or ringworm is a skin infection caused by a fungus that lives on dead tissues, such as the skin, hair, and nails. Ringworm is a fungus that causes both jock itch and athlete’s foot. When it appears anywhere else on the body, the infection is just called ringworm. Symptoms Ringworm is a skin infection that causes jock itch and athlete’s foot. Ringworm is usually easy to notice because of its shape. A patch that may itch or be scaly will often turn into a raised, ring-shaped patch of skin over time. It may even spread out into several rings. The outside of this ring may appear red on light skin and gray or brown on skin of color, and may also appear raised or bumpy, while the inside of the ring will appear clear and healthy and the edges of the ring may spread outward. Ringworm is highly contagious, and it can be transmitted by skin-to-skin contact, or from contact with pets, such as dogs. The fungus may also survive on objects, such as towels, clothes, and brushes. The ringworm fungus also infects soil and mud, so people who play or work in infected dirt may catch ringworm as well. Diagnosis, treatment, and prevention Other skin conditions may look like ringworm, so doctors will sometimes want to take a skin sample to inspect for the fungus. After confirming a diagnosis, doctors will recommend a treatment, depending on how severe the symptoms are. Creams and medicated ointments are often sufficient to treat many cases of ringworm and may be purchased over-the-counter or online. Ringworm of the scalp or severe ringworm may require a prescription. Basic hygiene can help treat and prevent ringworm as well. Keeping the skin clean and dry can help avoid infection. Safety in public includes wearing sandals into public showers or locker rooms and avoiding shared items and towels. Fungal infections are common in humans and are usually not very serious if they are treated quickly and correctly. Anyone with a weakened immune system may be more likely to contract a fungal infection, as well as anyone who is taking antibiotics. Cancer treatment and diabetes may also make a person more prone to fungal infections. Most fungal infections can be prevented by keeping skin clean and dry and keeping up with basic hygiene. Avoid sharing personal items like towels, sports equipment, and unclean clothing. Wearing breathable fabrics that keep you dry may also help prevent fungal infections. When the body comes into contact with certain fungi and the immune system is weakened or compromised, there is a chance that a person may develop a fungal infection. Many fungal infections are also caused by an overgrowth of fungus that naturally lives on our skin. Fungal infections are very common, and most people may get one at some point. How long does a fungal infection take to heal?The symptoms of a fungal infection, such as itchiness, may go away after a few days of treatment. Skin discoloration and scaliness may take up to a few weeks to completely heal. Will fungal infection go away on its own?Fungal infections usually don’t go away if left untreated. In fact, leaving them untreated may cause them to spread or worsen. Most fungal skin infections can be treated with over-the-counter or prescription creams. Severe infections may require additional methods. Taking preventive action can go a long way towards avoiding fungal skin infections as well. It is always best to notify a doctor at the first sign of infection to avoid possible serious complications. By working directly with a doctor, most cases of fungal skin infections can be easily treated. |
What term refers to fungal infections deep within the body?
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