Fungal skin infections are caused by different types of fungi and can be a common culprit of itchy skin. Fungi invade and grow in dead keratin, a protein that makes up your skin, hair and nails. The different types of fungal infections are divided into groups based on what type of fungus is involved.
Fungal skin infections can be itchy and annoying, but they're rarely serious. Common infections such as athlete's foot, jock itch, and ringworm are caused by fungus and are easy to get and to pass around. In healthy people, they usually don't spread beyond the skin's surface, so they're easy to treat.
There are lots of kinds of fungus in this world and they can affect humans in different ways. Most are harmless, but some can make you sick or some can even kill you, and then there’s the very special kind of fungus that can take your brain to magical places. That can be fun, if you’re into that sort of thing, but for most people, fungus only causes irritating skin or nail infections that aren’t terribly fetching.
Here are some common types of fungal infections:
- Tinea (say: TIH-nee-uh) is a type of fungal infection of the hair, skin, or nails. When it's on the skin, tinea usually begins as a small red area the size of a pea. As it grows, it spreads out in a circle or ring. Tinea is often called ringworm because it may look like tiny worms are under the skin (but of course, they're not!).
- Athlete's foot is another type of fungal infection that usually appears between the toes but can also affect toenails and the bottom or sides of the feet.
- Jock itch is a fungal infection of the groin and upper thighs. You might think only men and boys get it, but girls and women can get it, too.
- Ringworm (Tinea Corporis) can appear in the form of a red or silver rash anywhere on the body. It is usually ring-shaped and is most commonly caused by the fungus.
How fungal infections are spread
Fungal 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.
Symptoms of Skin Fungi
The fungal skin infection depends on the type of fungus that’s caused for it, and where it is. Fungal rashes can sometimes be confused with other skin conditions, such as psoriasis and eczema.
You might be able to manage it at home with medicines that you can buy over-the-counter. If you need advice about medicines, ask a pharmacist. If it gets worse or isn’t helped by over-the-counter medicines, contact your Dermatologist for advice.
Infections caused by different fungi have different symptoms, but there are a few general things to look for. The infection with which you are currently blessed may have only a couple or several of the characteristics listed here.
Patches of scaly, discolored skin (pink, white, or shades of brown)
- Itchiness in the affected area
- The area slowly grows in size
- Hair loss or change in the area
- The area becomes irritated or more noticeable with sun exposure
Treatments for Skin Fungus
The basic steps to keeping you free of fungus start with keeping your skin clean and dry. Fungus grows in warm, moist areas, so don’t let those words describe your skin. If you do have an infection, As suggest By Senior dermatologist Dr. Manju Keshri at KEMPS Skin Clinic Vaishali Ghaziabad that keep clean and maintain hygiene so you away from Fungal infection on your skin and body.
