What is fungal infection and how it’s treated?

A fungus is just a type of germ.A fungus is a primitive organism and the fungi can live everywhere in the air, in the soil, on plants, and in water. Some fungi are helpful, while others harmful. Fungi (the plural of fungus) are all around us and don't usually cause any problems. However, occasionally they can settle down and grow in places on our bodies like our skin, nails, between our toes.

How fungal infections are spread

The main cause of spreading Fungal in ignoring hygiene. Infections are spread by direct skin contact (with humans or animals), or indirectly from contaminated articles on floors or in the soil. Shared changing rooms and showers are often a source of tinea, while some infections are spread by sharing of items such as towels.

Causes of fungal skin infections

You’re more likely to get a fungal skin infection if you:

• Don’t dry your skin fully after a bath or shower
• Come into contact with a person or animal with a fungal skin infection
• Touch contaminated items, such as clothes, towels, and bedclothes
• Walk barefoot in shower and pool areas
• Wear tight clothing that doesn’t allow sweat to evaporate
• Diabetes
• Have recently taken a course of antibiotics
• In pregnancy
• Being  overweight

Symptoms of fungal skin infections

Fungal skin infections can cause a variety of different skin rashes. Some are red, scaly and itchy. Others may produce a fine scale, similar to dry skin. The fungus can affect just one area or several areas of your body. If you get a fungal infection of your scalp, you may lose some hair. The symptoms of a fungal skin infection depend on the type of fungus that’s caused it, and where it is. Fungal rashes can sometimes be confused with other skin conditions, such as psoriasis and eczema.

How can it be treated?

Commonly skin fungal infections are not serious and can be treated using a variety of techniques and methods. A common option is a laser treatment which has been shown to improve the skin’s condition after 5 months in the majority of cases. The doctor may even focus laser treatment on nails as it may not show any symptoms of infection at first, and this will help to remove any potential fungus growing there.

The fungi are killed by the heat generated by the laser, targeting and killing fungus cells in the affected area which helps to prevent any future manifestation. Patients will experience no major side effects and can resume daily activities immediately since no downtime is required after treatment.

At KEMPS Skin Clinic, our doctors will guide and advise you for the best treatment and the number of sessions required. Depending on your skin’s condition and severity of the infection, a combination of techniques may be used in order to maximize the chances of curing the fungal infection as quickly as possible.