Fungal Infections of the Skin
Fungal infections of the skin are very common and include
athlete's foot,
jock itch,
ringworm, and
yeast infections.
Athlete's Foot
Athlete's foot, also called tinea pedis, is a fungal infection of the foot.
It causes
peeling,
redness,
itching,
burning, and sometimes blisters and sores.
Athlete's foot is a very common infection. The fungus grows best in a warm, moist environment such as
shoes,
socks,
swimming pools,
locker rooms, and
the floors of public showers.
It is most common in the summer and in warm, humid climates. It occurs more often in people who wear tight shoes and who use community baths and pools.
Causes
Athlete's foot is caused by a microscopic fungus that lives on dead tissue of the hair, toenails, and outer skin layers. There are at least four kinds of fungus that can cause athlete's foot. The most common of these fungi is trichophyton rubrum.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of athlete's foot vary from person to person. However, common symptoms include:
Peeling, cracking, and scaling of the feet
Redness,
blisters, or
softening and breaking down of the skin
Itching /burning, or both
Types of Athlete's Foot
Interdigital: Also called toe web infection, this is the most common kind of athlete's foot. It usually occurs between the two smallest toes. This form of athlete's foot can cause itching, burning, and scaling and the infection can spread to the sole of the foot.
Moccasin: A moccasin-type infection of athlete's foot can begin with a minor irritation, dryness, itching, or scaly skin. As it develops, the skin may thicken and crack. This infection can involve the entire sole of the foot and extend onto the sides of the foot.
Vesicular: This is the least common kind of athlete's foot. The condition usually begins with a sudden outbreak of fluid-filled blisters under the skin. Most often, the blisters develop on the underside of the foot. However, they also can appear between the toes, on the heel, or on the top of the foot.
Diagnosis
Not all itchy, scaly feet have athlete's foot. The best way to diagnose the infection is to scrape the skin and examine the scales under a microscope for evidence of fungus.
Treatment
Athlete's foot is treated with topical antifungal medication in most cases. Severe cases may require oral drugs.
The feet must be kept clean and dry since the fungus thrives in moist environments.
Prevention
Steps to prevent athlete's foot include wearing shower sandals in public showering areas, wearing shoes that allow the feet to breathe, and daily washing of the feet with soap and water. Drying the feet thoroughly and using a quality foot powder can also help prevent athlete's foot.
Jock Itch
Jock itch, also called tinea cruris, is a common skin infection that is caused by a type of fungus called tinea. The fungus thrives in warm, moist areas of the body and as a result, infection can affect the genitals, inner thighs, and buttocks. Infections occur more frequently in the summer or in warm, wet climates.
Jock itch appears as a red, itchy rash that is often ring-shaped.
Jock itch is only mildly contagious. The condition can be spread from person to person through direct contact or indirectly from objects carrying the fungus.
Symptoms
Symptoms of jock itch include:
Itching,
chafing, or
burning in the groin or thigh.
A circular, red, raised rash with elevated edges.
Redness in the groin or thigh
Flaking, peeling, or cracking skin
Diagnosis
In most cases, jock itch can be diagnosed based on the appearance and location of the rash.
A microscopic exam of the scales of skin can confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment
In most cases, treatment of jock itch involves keeping the affected area clean and dry and applying topical antifungal medications. Jock itch usually responds to over-the-counter antifungal creams and sprays. However, prescription antifungal creams are sometimes necessary. During treatment of jock itch, be sure to:
Wash and dry the affected area with a clean towel
Apply the antifungal cream, powder, or spray as directed
Change clothes -- especially underwear -- everyday
Ringworm
Ringworm, also called tinea corporis, is not a worm, but a fungal infection of the skin.
It can appear anywhere on the body and it looks like a circular, red, flat sore.
It is often accompanied by scaly skin.
The outer part of the sore can be raised while the skin in the middle appears normal.
Ringworm can be unsightly, but it is usually not a serious condition.
Ringworm can spread by direct contact with infected people or animals.
It also may be spread on clothing or furniture.
Heat and humidity may help to spread the infection.
Symptoms
Ringworm appears as a red, circular, flat sore that is sometimes accompanied by scaly skin.
There may be more than one patch of ringworm on the skin, and patches or red rings of rash may overlap.
It is possible to have ringworm without having the common red ring of rash.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of ringworm is based on the appearance of the rash or reported symptoms.
A H/o about possible exposure to people or animals with ringworm.
IF Required take skin scrapings or samples from the infected area and look at them under a microscope to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment
Treatment for ringworm usually consists of antifungal medications that are applied to the skin. Many ringworm infections respond well to over-the-counter creams.
Prescription topical or oral drugs can be prescribed for more severe cases of ringworm.
Yeast Infections
Yeast infections of the skin are called cutaneous candidiasis and are caused by yeast-like fungi called candida. They occur when yeast on the skin grows more actively and causes a red, scaling, itchy rash on the skin.
Yeast infections are not contagious.
Yeast infections may affect nearly any skin surface on the body, but are most likely to occur in warm, moist, creased areas including the armpits and the groin. Candida infection is especially common among people who are obese or who have diabetes.
People taking antibiotics are also at risk.
Candida can cause diaper rash in infants and can cause infections of the nail. Oral thrush is a form of candida infection that is found in the mouth.
Candida also causes vaginal yeast infections.
Symptoms
Signs of yeast infection in skin folds include:
Rash
Patches that ooze clear fluid
Pimple-like bumps
Itching or burning
Signs of yeast infection in the nail beds include:
Swelling
Pain
Pus
White or yellow nail that separates from the nail bed
Signs of thrush (yeast infection of the mouth) include:
White patches on tongue and inside of the cheeks Pain
Signs of vaginal yeast infection include:
White or yellow discharge from the vagina
Itching Redness in the external area of the vagina
Burning
Diagnosis
In diagnosing a yeast infection, take a medical history and do a physical exam.
scrape the skin to confirm the diagnosis under a microscope.
Treatment
Yeast infection treatment depends on the specific kind of infection that is being treated.
Skin yeast infections are highly treatable with medicated creams. Medicated suppositories may be used to treat yeast infections in the vagina. Thrush may be treated with a medicated mouthwash or lozenges that dissolve in the mouth.
Severe infections or infections in someone with a compromised immune system may be treated with oral anti-yeast medications.
Fungal infections of the skin are very common and include
athlete's foot,
jock itch,
ringworm, and
yeast infections.
Athlete's Foot
Athlete's foot, also called tinea pedis, is a fungal infection of the foot.
It causes
peeling,
redness,
itching,
burning, and sometimes blisters and sores.
Athlete's foot is a very common infection. The fungus grows best in a warm, moist environment such as
shoes,
socks,
swimming pools,
locker rooms, and
the floors of public showers.
It is most common in the summer and in warm, humid climates. It occurs more often in people who wear tight shoes and who use community baths and pools.
Causes
Athlete's foot is caused by a microscopic fungus that lives on dead tissue of the hair, toenails, and outer skin layers. There are at least four kinds of fungus that can cause athlete's foot. The most common of these fungi is trichophyton rubrum.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of athlete's foot vary from person to person. However, common symptoms include:
Peeling, cracking, and scaling of the feet
Redness,
blisters, or
softening and breaking down of the skin
Itching /burning, or both
Types of Athlete's Foot
Interdigital: Also called toe web infection, this is the most common kind of athlete's foot. It usually occurs between the two smallest toes. This form of athlete's foot can cause itching, burning, and scaling and the infection can spread to the sole of the foot.
Moccasin: A moccasin-type infection of athlete's foot can begin with a minor irritation, dryness, itching, or scaly skin. As it develops, the skin may thicken and crack. This infection can involve the entire sole of the foot and extend onto the sides of the foot.
Vesicular: This is the least common kind of athlete's foot. The condition usually begins with a sudden outbreak of fluid-filled blisters under the skin. Most often, the blisters develop on the underside of the foot. However, they also can appear between the toes, on the heel, or on the top of the foot.
Diagnosis
Not all itchy, scaly feet have athlete's foot. The best way to diagnose the infection is to scrape the skin and examine the scales under a microscope for evidence of fungus.
Treatment
Athlete's foot is treated with topical antifungal medication in most cases. Severe cases may require oral drugs.
The feet must be kept clean and dry since the fungus thrives in moist environments.
Prevention
Steps to prevent athlete's foot include wearing shower sandals in public showering areas, wearing shoes that allow the feet to breathe, and daily washing of the feet with soap and water. Drying the feet thoroughly and using a quality foot powder can also help prevent athlete's foot.
Jock Itch
Jock itch, also called tinea cruris, is a common skin infection that is caused by a type of fungus called tinea. The fungus thrives in warm, moist areas of the body and as a result, infection can affect the genitals, inner thighs, and buttocks. Infections occur more frequently in the summer or in warm, wet climates.
Jock itch appears as a red, itchy rash that is often ring-shaped.
Jock itch is only mildly contagious. The condition can be spread from person to person through direct contact or indirectly from objects carrying the fungus.
Symptoms
Symptoms of jock itch include:
Itching,
chafing, or
burning in the groin or thigh.
A circular, red, raised rash with elevated edges.
Redness in the groin or thigh
Flaking, peeling, or cracking skin
Diagnosis
In most cases, jock itch can be diagnosed based on the appearance and location of the rash.
A microscopic exam of the scales of skin can confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment
In most cases, treatment of jock itch involves keeping the affected area clean and dry and applying topical antifungal medications. Jock itch usually responds to over-the-counter antifungal creams and sprays. However, prescription antifungal creams are sometimes necessary. During treatment of jock itch, be sure to:
Wash and dry the affected area with a clean towel
Apply the antifungal cream, powder, or spray as directed
Change clothes -- especially underwear -- everyday
Ringworm
Ringworm, also called tinea corporis, is not a worm, but a fungal infection of the skin.
It can appear anywhere on the body and it looks like a circular, red, flat sore.
It is often accompanied by scaly skin.
The outer part of the sore can be raised while the skin in the middle appears normal.
Ringworm can be unsightly, but it is usually not a serious condition.
Ringworm can spread by direct contact with infected people or animals.
It also may be spread on clothing or furniture.
Heat and humidity may help to spread the infection.
Symptoms
Ringworm appears as a red, circular, flat sore that is sometimes accompanied by scaly skin.
There may be more than one patch of ringworm on the skin, and patches or red rings of rash may overlap.
It is possible to have ringworm without having the common red ring of rash.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of ringworm is based on the appearance of the rash or reported symptoms.
A H/o about possible exposure to people or animals with ringworm.
IF Required take skin scrapings or samples from the infected area and look at them under a microscope to confirm the diagnosis.
Treatment
Treatment for ringworm usually consists of antifungal medications that are applied to the skin. Many ringworm infections respond well to over-the-counter creams.
Prescription topical or oral drugs can be prescribed for more severe cases of ringworm.
Yeast Infections
Yeast infections of the skin are called cutaneous candidiasis and are caused by yeast-like fungi called candida. They occur when yeast on the skin grows more actively and causes a red, scaling, itchy rash on the skin.
Yeast infections are not contagious.
Yeast infections may affect nearly any skin surface on the body, but are most likely to occur in warm, moist, creased areas including the armpits and the groin. Candida infection is especially common among people who are obese or who have diabetes.
People taking antibiotics are also at risk.
Candida can cause diaper rash in infants and can cause infections of the nail. Oral thrush is a form of candida infection that is found in the mouth.
Candida also causes vaginal yeast infections.
Symptoms
Signs of yeast infection in skin folds include:
Rash
Patches that ooze clear fluid
Pimple-like bumps
Itching or burning
Signs of yeast infection in the nail beds include:
Swelling
Pain
Pus
White or yellow nail that separates from the nail bed
Signs of thrush (yeast infection of the mouth) include:
White patches on tongue and inside of the cheeks Pain
Signs of vaginal yeast infection include:
White or yellow discharge from the vagina
Itching Redness in the external area of the vagina
Burning
Diagnosis
In diagnosing a yeast infection, take a medical history and do a physical exam.
scrape the skin to confirm the diagnosis under a microscope.
Treatment
Yeast infection treatment depends on the specific kind of infection that is being treated.
Skin yeast infections are highly treatable with medicated creams. Medicated suppositories may be used to treat yeast infections in the vagina. Thrush may be treated with a medicated mouthwash or lozenges that dissolve in the mouth.
Severe infections or infections in someone with a compromised immune system may be treated with oral anti-yeast medications.
