Types of fungal infection

Fungal infection- itchy, dry & irritated skin may with blisters or may not, these things come to a mind when someone asks about fungal infection.

Do you know what you’re having is not the only existing type of fungal infection? There are several types of it. Let’s find out what type you have?

In this blog, you will get to know about:
What is skin fungal infection?
Common types of skin fungal infections.

What is skin fungal infection?

Fungal infection is a disease that is caused by fungus. It is a living microorganism and has millions of species. Fungi can be found everywhere on soil, household surface, plant, and even on your skin.

Common types of fungal infection

There are about 300 types of fungi that can affect humans and from them, several types can affect your skin.

Tinea Corporis (Ringworm):

The most common skin infection occurs by fungus. Tinea corporis also called Ringworm because lesions or rashes caused by these fungi appear in a circular shape (ring shape) on your body. These ringworms mostly live or survive in a warm, moist, or humid environment.

Ringworms are likely to spread from an affected area to other parts of the body such as:

Feet
Groin, inner thighs, or buttocks
Scalp
Beard Hands
Toenails or fingernails
Initially, this infection appears as discolored, scaly circular patches on affected areas. These patches are brown-grey on darker skin and red on lighter skin. Also, it might cause itchiness, irritation, and dryness in the affected areas.

You are most likely to get this fungus when you contact already infected human skin, surfaces, soil, and from daily used items like bedding, clothes, towels, etc.

Risk factors:

Live in warm and humid climates
Have diabetes
Overweight
Have excess sweat
Using public shower
Wearing tight shoes or clothes

It is curable and from treatment, it is suggested to go for antifungal medication under an expert’s guidance.

Tinea Cruris(Jock itch): The Jock itch often affects the Groin, inner thighs, pubic region, or buttocks. This fungus often occurs due to moist and warm climates.
It causes red, itchy, and irritating rashes with a scaly border. The rash might be reddish, brown, or gray, with dry, peeling, patchy, or cracking skin. People may experience instance itching in the affected area.
Jock itch can be transmitted through human-to-human skin contact, by skin-to-skin contact, or by contact with used sports clothing and sharing towels. It is most common in athletes. It is also common in people who are overweight, have diabetes and people who sweat a lot. It can be cured when it gets treated correctly.

Tinea Pedis (Athlete’s foot):
Tinea Pedis is also known as Athlete’s foot. It is a fungal skin infection that first starts affecting the toes. It most commonly occurs in people who have very sweaty feet. Also, who wears tight-fitting shoes?
Symptoms of an athlete’s foot cause a scaly and itchy rash. This condition can be spread via contaminated floors, clothing, or towels.
Athletes’ feet are like other fungal infections such as ringworm and jock itch. It can be treated with antifungal medications and under the proper guidance of a dermatologist.

Tinea Unguium (Onychomycosis)
Tinea unguium is a fungal infection of nails. It is a common infection of toenails in the elderly. This infection causes thickened and chapped, unsightly nails which sometimes become painful. This infection often spreads from skin to skin contact if you have sweaty feet or are suffering from an athlete’s foot infection. The medication under dermatologist guidance works well to clear the infection. It will need several weeks to get cured properly.

Tinea versicolor

Tinea versicolor is a common skin fungal infection. This fungus affects the normal pigment of the skin resulting in small, scaly & discolored patches on the body. Patches might be darker or lighter (depending on skin pigment) in color than the surrounding skin. You might notice mild itchiness around the affected area. This fungal infection is common in youngster and most commonly affect the trunk and shoulders.

Seborrheic dermatitis (also refer as dandruff)

Seborrheic dermatitis (also refer as dandruff) is a most common fungal infection that occurs on the scalp. This fungus causes red patches and greasy scalp with itchiness & flaky skin on the affected area. It is most common in both teenagers and adults. This also affects areas like the chest, forehead, navel, or area where the sebaceous gland is active.

Finally words.

Fungal infections are curable; they’ll not majorly harm you. To stay away from any type of fungal infection you have to follow a few safety measures.
• wash your clothes regularly
• take a bath daily
• make less contact with any surfaces
• Avoid getting tight-fitted clothes
• avoid sharing clothes and towels

The only person who can completely cure fungal infections and heal your wounds is a dermatologist. So kindly consult a dermatologist and take their advice. Also if you are from Ahmedabad or nearby you can consult our expert dermatologist at Elegance skin and cosmetic clinic.

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