Approximately 10 percent of the population can be expected to have a fungal infection at any given time. Some common infections include athlete’s foot, jock itch, ringworm, and yeast infections.
What is 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. Tinea pedis grows best in a warm, moist environment. 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.
What are the 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.
The fungi that cause athlete’s foot can live in warm, moist places including shoes, socks, swimming pools, locker rooms, and the floors of public showers.
What are the symptoms?
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
The most common kind of athlete’s foot is called interdigital or toe web infection. It usually occurs between the two smallest toes. This form of athlete’s foot can cause itching, burning, and scaling. The infection can spread to the sole of the foot.
A moccasin-type infection of athlete’s foot can begin with a minor irritation, dryness, itching, or scaly skin. As it develops, the condition involves thickened and cracked skin. This infection can involve the entire sole of the foot and sometimes the hands.
A vesicular infection 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 skin of the instep and mid-anterior plantar surface of the foot. However, they also can appear between the toes, on the heel, or on the top of the foot.
How is athlete’s foot diagnosed?
Not all itchy, scaly feet are infected with fungus. The best way to diagnose the infection is to scrape the skin and examine the scales under a microscope for evidence of fungus. A culture can be done by sending scrapings of skin to the lab. The doctor might take a skin sample to confirm the diagnosis.
What are the treatments?
Athlete’s foot is treated with topical antifungal medication (medication placed directly on the skin) in most cases. Severe cases might require oral medicines (those taken by mouth). The feet must be kept clean and dry as the fungus grows in moist environments. Prevention is part of athlete’s foot treatment. Preventive steps 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 also can help in the prevention of athlete’s foot.
What is jock itch?
Jock itch, also called tinea cruris, is common skin infection that is caused by a type of fungus. This infection can affect the genitals, inner thighs, and buttocks. Jock itch appears as a red, itchy rash that is often ring-shaped. Environmental factors are important. Tinea thrives in warm, moist areas of the body. Infections occur more frequently in the summer or in warm, wet climates.
What are the causes?
Jock itch is caused by a type of fungus called tinea. Jock itch is only mildly contagious. The condition can be spread from one person to another through direct contact or indirectly from objects carrying infected scales.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of jock itch include:
- Itching, chafing, or burning in the groin, thigh, or anal area
- A circular, red, raised rash with elevated edges
- Skin redness in the groin, thigh, or anal area
- Flaking, peeling, or cracking skin
How is jock itch diagnosed?
In most cases, jock itch can be diagnosed based on the appearance and location of the rash. If you are not certain that the condition is jock itch, contact your doctor. The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and will perform a physical exam. A microscopic exam of the scales of skin can help make the diagnosis.
What are the treatments?
In most cases, treatment involves keeping the affected area clean and dry, and applying topical antifungal medicines. 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 on the label.
- Change clothes--especially underwear--every day.
What is ringworm?
Ringworm of the body is also called tinea corporis. Ringworm 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 sometimes accompanied by scaly skin. The outer part of the sore can be raised, and the skin in the middle appears normal. Ringworm can be unsightly, but is usually not a serious condition.
What are the causes?
A fungus called tinea causes ringworm. The fungus can be spread by direct contact with infected people or animals. It also might be spread on clothing or furniture. Heat and humidity might help to spread the infection.
What are the symptoms?
Ringworm appears as a red, circular, flat sore that is sometimes accompanied by scaly skin. There might be more than one patch of ringworm on the skin, and patches or red rings of rash might overlap. It is possible to have ringworm without having the common red ring of rash.
How is ringworm diagnosed?
A doctor can determine the presence of ringworm or of another skin disorder. He or she will ask about possible exposure to people or animals with ringworm. The doctor might take skin scrapings or samples from the infected area and look at them under a microscope.
What are the treatments?
Treatment usually consists of antifungal medicines that are applied to the skin. Most ringworm infections respond well to topical agents, including the following:
- Terbinafine (Lamisil)
- Miconazole (Micatin, Monistat-Derm)
- Clotrimazole (Lotrimin, Mycelex)
Prescription topical or oral medicines can be prescribed for more severe cases of ringworm.
What are yeast infections?
Yeast infections of the skin are called cutaneous candidiasis. They occur when yeast on the skin grows more actively and causes a red, scaling, itchy rash on the skin.
Yeast infections might 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 .
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
What causes yeast infections of the skin?
Yeast infections of the skin are caused by yeast-like fungi such as candida. Factors that can make a person more likely to develop a yeast infection include:
- Antibiotic treatments
- Obesity
- Diabetes
What are the symptoms?
Signs of yeast infection in skin folds:
- Rash
- Patches that ooze clear fluid
- Pimples
- Itching or burning
Signs of yeast infection in the nail beds:
- Swelling
- Pain
- Pus
- White or yellow nail that separates from the nail bed
Signs of thrush (yeast infection of the mouth):
- White patches on tongue and inside of the cheeks
- Pain
Signs of vaginal yeast infection:
- White or yellow discharge from the vagina
- Itching
- Redness in the external area of the vagina
- Burning
How are yeast infections diagnosed?
In diagnosing a yeast infection, your doctor will need to take a medical history and do a physical examination. Your doctor might scrape the skin to confirm the diagnosis under a microscope.
What are the treatments?
Yeast infection treatment depends on the specific kind of infection that is being treated. Skin yeast infections are highly treatable with medicated ointments. Medicated suppositories might be used to treat yeast infections in the vagina. Thrush might be treated with a medicated mouthwash or lozenges that dissolve in the mouth. Severe infections or infections in someone with a compromised immune system might be treated with oral anti-yeast medicines.
In diagnosing a yeast infection, your doctor will need to take a medical history and do a physical examination. Your doctor might scrape the skin to confirm the diagnosis under a microscope.Yeast infection treatment depends on the specific kind of infection that is being treated. Skin yeast infections are highly treatable with medicated ointments. Medicated suppositories might be used to treat yeast infections in the vagina. Thrush might be treated with a medicated mouthwash or lozenges that dissolve in the mouth. Severe infections or infections in someone with a compromised immune system might be treated with oral anti-yeast medicines.
