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Skin Conditions: Fungal Infections of the Skin Fungal infections are very common and include athlete's foot, jock
itch, ringworm and yeast infections. 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. The fungus grows best in
a warm, moist environment such as shoes, socks, swimming pools, locker
rooms and the floors of public showers. 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. 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.
Symptoms of athlete's foot vary from person to person. However, common symptoms include:
* Peeling, cracking, and scaling of the feet Types of Athlete's Foot * Interdigital: Also called toe web infection, this is the most common
kind of athlete's foot. It usually occurs between the two smallest toes.
This form of athlete's foot can cause itching, burning and scaling and
the infection can spread to the sole 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 have your doctor scrape the skin and examine
the scales under a microscope for evidence of fungus. Athlete's foot is treated with topical antifungal medication (medication
placed directly on the skin) in most cases. Severe cases may require
oral medications (those taken by mouth). The feet must be kept clean
and dry, as the fungus grows in moist environments. 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 can also help prevent athlete's foot. Jock Itch Jock itch, also called tinea cruris, is a common skin infection that is caused by a type of fungus called tinea. The fungus thrives in warm, moist areas of the body and as a result, infection can affect the genitals, inner thighs and buttocks. Infections occur more frequently in the summer or in warm, wet climates. Jock itch appears as a red, itchy rash that is often ring-shaped. Jock itch is only mildly contagious. The condition can be spread from
person to person through direct contact or indirectly from objects carrying
infected scales. Symptoms of jock itch include:
* Itching, chafing, or burning in the groin, thigh, or anal area 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 confirm the diagnosis. In most cases, treatment involves keeping the affected area clean and dry and applying topical antifungal medications. 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 Ringworm Ringworm, also called tinea corporis, 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 while the skin in the middle
appears normal. Ringworm can be unsightly, but it is usually not a serious
condition. The fungus can be spread by direct contact with infected people or
animals. It also may be spread on clothing or furniture. Heat and humidity
may help to spread the infection. Ringworm appears as a red, circular, flat sore that is sometimes accompanied
by scaly skin. There may be more than one patch of ringworm on the skin,
and patches or red rings of rash may overlap. It is possible to have
ringworm without having the common red ring of rash. A doctor can diagnose ringworm based on the appearance of the rash or reported symptoms. He or she will ask about possible exposure to people or animals with ringworm. The doctor may take skin scrapings or samples from the infected area and look at them under a microscope to confirm the diagnosis. How Is Ringworm Treated?Treatment usually consists of antifungal medications that are applied to the skin. Most ringworm infections respond well to over-the-counter creams, including:
* Lamisil
Prescription topical or oral medications can be prescribed for more
severe cases of ringworm. Yeast infections of the skin are called cutaneous candidiasis and are caused by yeast-like fungi called candida. They occur when yeast on the skin grows more actively and causes a red, scaling, itchy rash on the skin. Yeast infections may 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. People taking antibiotics are also at risk. 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. Signs of yeast infection in skin folds include:
* Rash
Signs of yeast infection in the nail beds include:
* Swelling
Signs of thrush (yeast infection of the mouth) include:
* White patches on tongue and inside of the cheeks
Signs of vaginal yeast infection include:
* White or yellow discharge from the vagina 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 may 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 may be used to treat yeast
infections in the vagina. Thrush may be treated with a medicated mouthwash
or lozenges that dissolve in the mouth. Severe infections or infections
in someone with a compromised immune system may be treated with oral
anti-yeast medications. Yeast infections are not contagious.
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