Fungal Skin Infections:Types of Fungal Skin Infections and Treatment Options
December 20, 2021
Friends, if you do not know, then let me tell you that although there are millions of species of fungi, only among them can actually cause this infection in humans. There are many different types of fungal infections and the ones that can affect your skin.
Friends, in this article, we will look at some of the most common fungal skin infections and their treatment and prevention methods.
What is a fungal skin infection?
Please tell that these fungi live everywhere. They can be found on plants, soil and even your skin. These microbes on your skin usually don’t cause any problems, unless they multiply faster than normal and either enter your skin through a cut or wound.
Let us tell you that since fungi thrive in warm, moist environments, fungal skin infections can develop in areas that are often sweaty or even moist where there is not much airflow. And that includes the legs, groin, and along with it your skin folds in some examples.
It should be noted that most often, these infections appear as a scaly rash or discoloration of the skin and that is often itchy.
Let us tell you that some fungal skin infections are very common. And it is so although the infection can be annoying and uncomfortable, it is usually not serious.
Let us tell you that this fungal skin infection is often spread by direct contact. And that can include coming into contact with the fungus on clothing or other objects or on a person and either it is an animal.
What are the Most Common Fungal Skin Infections?
Let us tell you that many common fungal infections can affect the skin. And besides your skin, another so common area for fungal infections is the mucous membranes. Some examples of these are vaginal yeast infection and oral thrush.
Let us tell you that below, we will explore some of the most common types of fungal infections that can affect the skin itself.
Please tell that this ringworm of the body (tinea corporis)
And also contrary to your name, ringworm is caused by a fungus and not a worm. It usually occurs on the torso as well as on the limbs. Ringworm can have different names on other areas of the body, such as athlete’s foot as well as jock itch.
Let us tell you that the main symptom of ringworm is a ring-shaped rash with slightly raised edges. Moreover, the skin inside these circular rashes generally looks healthy. The rash can spread and along with it it is often itchy.
As such ringworm is a common fungal skin infection and is highly contagious. And friends, although it is not serious, and it can usually be treated with an antifungal cream.
And tell that this athlete’s foot (tinea pedis)
Also, athlete’s foot is a fungal infection and one that affects the skin on your feet, as well as often between your toes. In addition, typical symptoms of athlete’s foot include:
- Tell that it is between your toes and either it is itching on the soles of your feet, and either it is a burning, stinging sensation.
- as well as skin that appears red, scaly, dry, and either
- you have cracked or cracked skin
- And let us tell you that in some cases, the infection can also spread to other areas of your body. And such examples include your nails, groin or hands (tinea manum).
Jock Itch (tinea cruris)
Friends, tell that this jock itch is a fungal skin infection and that it occurs in the area of your groin and thighs. And at the same time it is most common in men as well as in teenage boys.
And let us tell you that the main symptom is an itchy red rash and that it usually starts in your groin area or around the upper inner thighs. And this after exercise and this other physical activity can make the rash worse and spread to the buttocks as well as your abdomen.
Be aware that this affected skin may also appear scaly, flaky or torn. And at the same time it raised the outer border of the grain a bit and with that it can be made very deep.
And tell that this is ringworm of the scalp (tinea capitis)
And let us tell you that this fungal infection affects the skin of the scalp as well as the hair shaft attached to it. And it is most common in young children and at the same time it needs to be treated with prescription medications as well as antifungal shampoos. And those symptoms may also include:
- Be told that it is localized bald patches that may appear scaly or red
- And with that it’s scaling related and also it’s itching
- as well as the associated tenderness or pain in the patch
Tinea versicolor
It should be noted that tinea versicolor, sometimes called pityriasis versicolor, is also a fungal/yeast skin infection that causes small oval colored patches to develop on the skin. is formed. And in addition, it is caused by an overgrowth of a specific type of fungus called Malassezia, and one that is naturally present on the skin of about 90 percent of adults.
And along with this, these discolored skin spots often occur on the back, chest and upper arms. What’s more, they can look lighter or darker than the rest of your skin, and can be red, pink, tan, or brown. In addition, these patches may become itchy, flaky or scaly.
Also, tinea versicolor is more likely to occur during the summer or in areas with hot, humid climates. And that condition can sometimes return after treatment.
Cutaneous candidiasis
It is a skin infection caused by Candida fungus. And friends, these types of fungi are naturally present inside our body and along with it, they are naturally present inside. And that’s when it gets too high, and that’s when it can become an infection.
And tell that this candida skin infection occurs in areas that are warm, moist and also poorly ventilated. Some examples of specific areas that can be affected include under the breasts as well as in the folds of the buttocks, and such as in diaper rash.
Symptoms of a candida infection of the skin may include:
- it’s a red rash
- you itch
- small red pustules
- Onychomycosis (tinea unguium)
- Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of your nails. And it can also greatly affect the fingernails or toenails, although infections of the toenails are more common.
And if you have nails, you can get onychomycosis:
- like it’s discolored, and that’s usually either it’s yellow, it’s brown, and it’s either white
- brittle and either it break easily
- Thick
- And that is, it is very often you need prescription drugs to treat this type of infection. In severe cases, your doctor may remove some or all of the affected nail itself.
Risk
Friends, let us tell you that there are many such factors and those that can put you at an increased risk of getting fungal skin infection. As it includes:
- you live in a warm or wet environment
- and you are sweating a lot
- And that you don’t keep your skin clean and dry
- And with that you can share items like clothes, shoes, towels and either it bedding
- and also wearing tight clothing and/or your shoes that don’t breathe well
- and participating in activities that involve repeated skin-to-skin contact
- And at the same time, it can be infected only by coming in contact with animals.
- and also having a weakened immune system due to immunosuppressant drugs, as well as cancer treatments, or conditions such as HIV.
When to see a doctor?
So that It is a worth noting that are many types of the fungal skin infections eventually the improve in a response to over-the-counter (OTC) fungal treatments so that’s friends and however, call your doctor if you:
- And it’s a single fungal skin infection and one that doesn’t improve after this OTC treatment, gets worse and either comes back
- and also see patches of hair loss with itchy and either scaly skin
- Plus it’s a weakened immune system and at the same time it’s suspected a fungal infection
- have diabetes and also think you have athlete’s foot and either this onychomycosis.
Skin fungus treatment
Let us tell you that these antifungal medicines work to treat fungal infections. And at the same time, they can either kill the fungus directly or stop them from growing and multiplying. Antifungal drugs are available as OTC remedies or prescription drugs, and they come in a variety of forms, including:
- like this cream and either ointment
- pills
- powder
- and that spray
- and shampoo.
So that’s friends, if you are a suspect that you have a fungal skin infections and you can try an OTC product to see if it helps relieve the condition so And if it’s more frequent and or in very severe cases, your doctor may prescribe a stronger antifungal medication to help treat your infection.
And note that apart from taking this OTC or either this prescription antifungal, there are a few things that you can do at your home to get rid of the fungal infection. This includes:
As such, keep the affected area clean and dry as well.
and you wear loose-fitting clothes or shoes that allow your skin to breathe
Redressal
Be sure to keep the following tips in mind to help prevent fungal skin infections from developing:
- As such make sure you practice your good hygiene.
- And at the same time, I don’t share that clothes, towels and other personal items either.
- Wear clean clothes every day, especially socks and your underwear.
- And so choose clothes and shoes that breathe well. And avoid clothing and shoes that are too tight or have a restrictive fit.
- Make sure it is clean, dry, and that you dry it thoroughly with a towel after showering, showering, or swimming.
- And at the same time, instead of walking barefoot in the locker room, wear sandals or flip-flops.
- And it wipes only shared surfaces like gym equipment and/or mats.
- Stay away from animals that have signs of a fungal infection, such as missing fur or scratching frequently.
Bottom-line
Please tell that these fungal skin infections are common. Although these infections are usually not serious, they can cause discomfort and severe irritation by causing itchy or scaly red skin. If left untreated, the rash can spread and make you more irritated.
And there are a variety of OTC products that can help treat fungal skin infections. And only if you have an infection that doesn’t get better with OTC medications, however, and that’s only if you see your doctor. And for this very effective treatment, you may even need a prescription.
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