CONDITIONS

Fungal Skin Infections

A fungal skin infection is a common condition caused by fungi (microscopic organisms) that are present in dirt, on plants, on household surfaces, and often on a person’s skin. Sometimes, these fungi result in appearance of rashes, discolored skin, or itchy patches known as the fungal skin infection. They often occur in warm, moist areas of the body where skin surfaces meet, such as between the toes, in the groin area, or under the breasts. It is estimated that approximately 60 crore Indians (4.1%) are afflicted by a serious fungal disease.

What are the symptoms of Fungal Infections?

A fungal skin infection might cause:

  • Irritation
  • Scaly skin
  • Redness
  • Itching
  • Swelling
  • Blisters

What are the causes of fungal infections?

A fungal skin infection is generally attained by direct contact with fungi in or on:

  • another person
  • an animal
  • items such as clothing
  • gyms
  • gym mats, like those used in wrestling
  • another person’s yoga mat
  • hot tubs
  • saunas and steam rooms

Fungal skin infections are very common and are generally not serious. It may be uncomfortable and possibly contagious depending on the type of fungal infection.

What are the types of Fungal skin infections?

Most common fungal infections of the skin are athlete’s foot, jock itch, ringworm, and yeast infections.

Athlete’s Foot – fungal infection of foot

  • Warm, moist places such as shoes, socks, swimming pools, locker rooms, and public showers are most conducive to fungal growth.
  • Athlete’s foot is commonly found in the summer and in hot, humid climates to people wearing tight shoes, unchanged sweaty socks, and using public baths and pools.
  • The fungi live on the dead tissue of your hair, toenails, and outer skin layers
  • Signs may be peeling, cracking, and scaly feet; blisters, skin that’s red, softened, or broken down, itching and burning
  • Treatment – antifungal medicine to put on the skin or, in severe cases, oral medication. The feet must be kept clean and dry.
  • Prevention
    • Wear shower sandals in public showering areas,
    • Breathable shoes
    • Wash and cleaning the feet every day with soap and water.
    • Drying them thoroughly, and use a quality foot powder.

Ringworm (also called tinea corporis) – a ring-shaped rash with a winding, worm-like edge.

  • Ringworm is not a worm but a fungal skin infection.
  • Symptoms of ringworms are
    • Red, circular, flat sore that may happen 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.
  • Treatment usually involves antifungal medications that to be applied on the skin and in severe, rare cases, treatment involve oral medications.
  • Ringworms can appear anywhere on the body –on the scalp (tinea capitis) and on the groin (jock itch).

Jock Itch (tinea cruris) – infection in the area near groin and thighs

  • Most common in men and adolescent boys.
  • Main symptom is an itchy, red, and sometimes painful rash that typically starts in the groin or around the upper inner thighs
  • Rash maybe ring-shaped
  • Other symptoms are flaking, peeling, or cracking skin
  • Jock Itch is only mildly contagious, and can spread from person to person through direct or indirect contact
  • Applying a cool compress can also help soothe the skin.
  • Treatment for Jock Itch
    • Nonprescription medicines treat most cases of jock itch.
    • In rare severe cases, the doctor might advises a prescription cream.
    • Important things to keep in mind are:
      • Keep the affected area clean and dry.
      • Wash and dry the area with a clean towel
      • Use the antifungal medicine as directed
      • Change clothes — especially underwear — every day

Yeast Infection

  • Yeast infections of the skin are a type of fungus (candida) that causes these infections once it grows too much.
  • Yeast infections aren’t contagious, and are most common in warm, moist, creased areas of the body, including armpits and groin. Yeast infection may also occur in nails, vagina, or mouth (oral thrush).
  • The symptoms of yeast infection include:
    • Rash
    • Patches that ooze clear fluid
    • Pimple-like bumps
    • Itching
    • Burning
    • In the nail beds:
      • Swelling
      • Pain
      • Pus
      • A white or yellow nail seperating from the nail bed
    • Signs of thrush (yeast infection of mouth) include:
      • White patches on your tongue and inside your cheeks
      • Pain
    • Signs of a vaginal yeast infection include:
    • White or yellow discharge from vagina
    • Itching
    • Redness in the external area of vagina
    • Burning
  • Treatment depends on the type and location of the infection.
    • Medicated creams treat most skin yeast infections.
    • Vaginal infection – medicated suppositories.
    • Oral thrush – A medicated mouthwash or lozenges.
    • For severe infection or a weakened immune system – oral anti-yeast medications may be required.

References

  1. Ray A, Aayilliath K A, Banerjee S, Chakrabarti A, Denning DW. Burden of Serious Fungal Infections in India. Open Forum Infect Dis. 2022 Dec 26;9(12):ofac603.
  2. Everything You Need to Know About Fungal Skin Infections. Healthline. April 2024. https://www.healthline.com/health/fungal-skin-infection
  3. Fungal skin infections. WebMD. April 2024. https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/fungal-infections-skin

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