What is a Fungal Infection?
A fungal infection, also called mycosis, is a skin disease caused by a fungus.
Fungi live everywhere. They can be found in plants, soil, and even on your skin. These microscopic organisms on your skin typically don’t cause any problem, unless they multiply faster than normal or penetrate your skin through a cut or lesion.
There are millions of species of fungi. They live in the dirt, on plants, on household surfaces, and your skin. Sometimes, they can lead to skin problems like rashes or bumps.
What are the types of Fungal Infection?
The following conditions are all common types of fungal infections.
- Athlete’s foot: Tinea 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.
- Yeast infection: Vaginal yeast infections are a common form of Candida 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, and hormone imbalances, or poor eating habits, among other things.
- Jock itch: Tinea 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 warm, humid areas of the world.
- Ringworm: Tinea 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 the fungus that causes both jock itch and athlete’s foot. When it appears anywhere else on the body, the infection is just called ringworm.
Fungal Infection Symptoms
A fungal skin infection might cause:
- Irritation
- Scaly skin
- Redness
- Itching
- Swelling
- Blisters
Examination
Many types of fungal skin infections eventually improve in response to over-the-counter (OTC) fungal treatments. However, call your doctor if you:
- have a fungal skin infection that doesn’t improve, gets worse, or returns after OTC treatment
- notice patches of hair loss along with itchiness or scaly skin
- have a weakened immune system and suspect a fungal infection
have diabetes and think you have athlete’s foot or onychomycosis
Treatment
Antifungal medications work to treat fungal infections. They can either kill fungi directly or prevent them from growing and thriving. Antifungal drugs are available as OTC treatments or prescription medications, and come in a variety of forms, including:
- creams or ointments
- pills
- powders
- sprays
- shampoos
If you suspect you have a fungal skin infection, you may want to try an OTC product to see if it helps clear up the condition. In more persistent or severe cases, your doctor may prescribe a stronger antifungal drug to help treat your infection.
Dr. Vishal Gore at Total Skin Pro Clinic provides all types of fungal infection treatment at an affordable price.
