Fungal Infections

Fungal infections are caused by microscopic organisms called fungi. These infections may be caused by an overgrowth of fungi that normally live on the skin or in the body, or by fungi that do not normally live on the human body.

Because fungi breed easiest in moist, warm areas of the body, fungal infections mainly occur between toes, under fingernails or toenails, under breasts, in folds of skin that are difficult to dry after bathing, or where perspiration collects. The scalp and other exposed areas of the skin may also be infected by fungi.

Many fungal infections are contagious and may arise because of close contact with animals, soil or other people. In rare case, fungal infections occur in bones or joint tissue, causing fungal arthritis.

Conditions under which fungal infections are more likely to arise include:

- Taking a course of antibiotics or oral steroids;

- Having a weakened immune system (e.g., weakened by HIV infection or cancer);

- Having diabetes.

Signs, Symptoms & Diagnosis

A variety of fungal infections may affect humans. Fungi feed off keratin, a protein contained in skin, hair and nails, thus skin is the primary site of fungal infections. The appearance and symptoms of fungal infections depend on both the type of fungus and the part(s) of the body where the infection occurs. For example, some infections cause the skin to become scaly, red and itchy, while others cause the skin to develop little more than a dry patch.

Some of the most common fungal infections are:

Athlete's foot

The most common fungal infection, athlete’s foot (also called tinea pedis) usually occurs between the toes. Signs include soft, white skin that may be cracked and/or red; itching; burning or stinging; and an unpleasant smell.

Diaper Rash

In some cases (but not all), diaper rash is caused by a fungal infection. Babies may pass fungi from the bowel to their diaper, where the moist, warm conditions permit it to thrive. Frequently changing baby’s diaper will help to prevent diaper rash.

Chaffing/Jock Itch

Jock itch occurs most often in males, affecting the genitals and inner thigh region. Also called tinea cruris, jock itch appears as a red, often itchy, rash, causing enough discomfort to make walking painful. Tight underwear and/or pants may worsen jock itch by increasing perspiration and reducing air circulation around the groin and thighs.

Nail Infections

Fungal infections of the nail (also called onychomyosis) occur most often in the toes and are characterized by brittleness, discoloration, thickening, crumbling and/or detaching of the nail. This type of fungal infection often occurs when Athlete’s foot spreads from the feet or toes to the toenails.

Ringworm

Ringworm is a class of fungal infections that, despite its name, has nothing to do with worms but is caused by mold-like fungi called dermatophytes. Athlete’s foot and jock itch are forms of ringworm. Other forms are tinea corporis and tinea capitis, which affect the body and the head, respectively.

Tinea corporis occurs more often in children than in adults. The characteristic symptom is a ring-shaped red rash whose (often scaly) borders expand as the center clears. Tinea corporis occurs most often on exposed body areas, such as the face, arms, legs and body trunk, and is often accompanied by itching.

Tinea capitis symptoms may include an itchy scalp and round, scaly lesions on the scalp that may be grey or reddish in color. Broken hair shafts may give the appearance of bald patches, and localized areas of swelling, raw skin or pus-filled lesions called kerion may also be present.

Thrush (Oral)

Oral thrush is caused by the fungus (yeast) Candida albicans, which occurs naturally on the skin and only causes problems under unusual conditions, such as during illness or when a person uses antibiotics.

Oral thrush is most common in babies, people who wear dentures and people who use puffer-devices (e.g., inhalers for asthma). The infection appears in the mouth as white patches, often accompanied by general redness and irritation.

In affected babies who are breastfeeding, the thrush also usually affects the mother’s nipples, and both mother and baby should receive treatment.

Thrush (Vaginal)

Tinea versicolor occurs most commonly in adolescents and young men. It is caused by the yeast Pityrosporum ovale, which normally occurs on human skin and causes infection only under unusual circumstances, such as when the immune system is weakened.

Most often affecting the back, upper arms, underarms chest and neck, tinea versicolor appears as an area of discolored skin with a defined border and fine scales. In people with white or paler skin, the discoloration appears as reddish or tan patches, whereas in African Americans the discoloration may range from loss of pigment to a darkening of skin color.

Tinea versicolor is more common in warm climates and is often associated with itching increased sweating.

To diagnose tinea versicolor, a scraping of skin from the infected area may be examined under a microscope for the presence of yeast.

How to Treat Fungal Infections

You can help prevent fungal infections by taking these simple steps:

- After bathing, thoroughly dry your skin;

- Avoid wearing tight-fitting underwear and clothes;

- Wear underwear made of natural, breathable fibres;

- Change your socks, tights or stockings daily;

- Do not share combs, hairbrushes or towels;

- When doing sports, wear synthetic fibers designed to wick the sweat from the body;

- If you have diabetes, keep your blood sugar well controlled.

Antifungal Products from Netpharmacy:

Most fungal infections are treatable with antifungal medications. We recommend the following treatments for fungal infections:

Athletes Foot

Diaper Rash

Chaffing/Jock Itch

Nail Infections

Oral Thrush

Vaginal Thrush

See Your Doctor

If you have (or suspect you have) a fungal infection, see your health care provider. He or she may make a diagnosis and recommend treatment based on your symptoms, depending on the type of fungal infection, or may require further testing before recommending or prescribing medication.

Helpful Links

 Medsafe New Zealand – Consumer Medicine Information

 Everybody.co.nz – Fungal Skin Infections

 National Institutes of Health – Medline Plus – Fungal Infections

 Natural History of Tinea Pedis - US Food and Drug Administration

 Mayo Clinic – Nail Fungus