Fungal Infections

Athlete's Foot

Athlete's foot is a fungal infection, and it develops in areas of the foot that are moist, usually between your toes.  Often the condition causes stinging, burning, and itching sensation.  Athlete's foot is also known as tinea pedis, and the condition is close to ringworm of the body, jock itch, and ringworm of the scalp.  Ringworm of the body causes a red, scaly skin that is in the shape of a circle or a rash on the top layer of your skin.  Jock itch is a type of fungus that affects your upper inner thighs, buttocks, and genitals.  Ringworm of the scalp leaves red, itchy patches on the scalp, which often leaves a child with bald patches on their head.

Symptoms of Athlete's Foot

The symptoms and signs of athlete's foot are numerous, but you will likely not have many of these symptoms.  Stinging, burning, and itching between the toes of your feet is common.  You may also experience these same feelings on the soles of your feet.  Itchy blisters can be a symptom of athlete's foot, as can a super dryness of the bottoms or the sides of your feet.  Your toenails may become ragged, thick, crumbly, discolored, or may begin to come away from the bed of your nail.  Finally, you may experience itchy blisters.  Another condition called onychomycosis, which is a fungal infection of the nail, can develop with the symptoms of athlete's foot or without those symptoms.  If your rash persists or becomes worse after you have tried some home remedies, you need to see your doctor.  If you notice that there is drainage, fever, swelling, or excessive redness, you also should see your doctor.  If you have the preexisting condition of diabetes, it is important to see your doctor as a precaution.

Causes of Athlete's Foot

A group of fungi called dermatophytes, which are mold-like, are responsible for causing athlete's foot.  These are organisms that will infect the superficial layer of the skin of your foot.  The result of this fungal group is that the basal layer of the skin will produce more skin cells than is typical.  These cells move to the surface, and the result is that the skin becomes scaly and thicker than normal.  The fungi will usually spread and the more scales that your skin has, the ring of infection continues to form.  These fungal organisms will survive best in damp and close environments, such as tight shoes that are thick and squeeze the toes together.  This creates an optimal moist area between the toes.  Socks that are damp and warm can lead to the spread of athlete's foot.  Humid conditions also are great for the fungi to spread.  Plastic shoes are particularly optimal for athlete's foot to flourish.  Athlete's foot is a contagious condition, and it can spread in several ways.  First, it can spread from person to person through skin to skin contact with a person who is infected.  The fungus can also be carried from object to person as it can be carried on fragments of skin or other particles that contaminate rugs, floors, mats, linens, clothes, and other surfaces.  The transmission of the fungus can be transferred in public areas, such as in saunas, locker rooms, communal baths and showers, and swimming pools.  Finally, athlete's foot can also spread from animal to human, as household pets can spread athlete's foot.

There are several factors that put you at an increased risk for developing athlete's foot.  First, if you are a man, you are at increased risk.  Second, if you wear tight shoes or wear damp socks, you are at a higher risk.  People that share clothes, shoes, rugs, or mats with someone who has athlete's foot is putting themselves at risk.  If you have a weak immune system, you are at an increased risk, and finally, if you visit public areas, such as swimming pools, communal baths, showers, and locker rooms, you are at an increased risk as the infection can spread in these locations.

Treatment of Athlete's Foot

There are many over the counter products available to help you with athlete's foot.  These products are antifungal creams or ointments.  Some of them include Lamisil AT, Tinactin, Lotrimin AF, Mycelex, and Micatin.  However, if the athlete's foot does not respond to over the counter medicine, you may need a topical medication of prescription strength.  Lamisil, Lotrimin, and Monistat-Derm are some topical medications.  There are also some oral medications if the topical medications are unsuccessful, such as Sporanox, Diflucan, and Lamisil.  There are side effects to the oral medications, such as gastrointestinal upset, abnormal liver function, and rash.  If you take other medications, like antacid therapies for ulcer diseases or for gastroesophageal reflux disease, these medications may interfere with your body's ability to absorb the drugs.  Oral medications may also affect the effectiveness of Warfarin, a blood clotting drug if you are taking it, so be sure to speak to your doctor. 

Prevention of Athlete's Foot

There are some things you can do to help you to avoid athlete's foot or to ease any symptoms you may have if you get a fungal infection.  First, it is important to keep your feet dry.  Going barefoot is a good idea when possible to allow air to get to your toes.  You should wear natural materials, such as socks made of wool or cotton or a fiber that is synthetic but will draw the moisture from your feet.  You should be sure to change your socks frequently, and if your feet sweat a lot, you should change your socks two times a day.  Your shoes need to be well ventilated and be light.  Avoid any shoes that are made of plastic, rubber, or vinyl, and wear shoes of natural materials if possible.  Alternating shoes is also a good idea as this will allow time for you shoes to dry out and your feet to get a little variety, especially if a pair of shoes is tight or not made of natural materials.  When you are in public areas, you should make every attempt to keep your feet protected by wearing sandals that are waterproof or shower shoes when you are at a pool, fitness center, or communal shower.  Using an antifungal powder every day is a very good preventative measure, particularly if you are prone to athlete's foot or are at high risk.  You should not borrow the shoes of others because you may be spreading a fungus to your own feet or spreading a fungus you have to others.

Ringworm

There are two types of ringworm, ringworm of the body and ringworm of the scalp.  These are fungal infections that develop on the outside layers of your skin.  It looks like an itchy red circular rash that has healthy looking skin that is in the middle.  The ringworm has its name from the ring that appears, but it is not actually caused by a worm.  Ringworm of the body is also called tinea corporis, and ringworm of the scalp is called tinea capitis.

Symptoms of Ringworm

Ringworm presents itself in the form of a circular rash on your skin that is red and inflamed around the edge of it and it is healthy looking in the center of it.  It is slightly raised from the skin and it has expanding rings of scaly and red skin on your face, trunk, neck, or scalp.  More than one patch can be found on your skin, and some of the patches of the rash can overlap.  You can also have this infection without having the ring.  If you have a rash on your skin that shows no improvement within two weeks' time, you may need to see your doctor for prescription medicine.  If you have drainage, fever, swelling, or excessive redness, you should see your doctor.

Causes of Ringworm

Fungal infections are caused by microorganisms that are parasites on your body.  They are mold-like fungi that live on the cells that are in the outer layer of your skin.  It is a contagious condition, and it can spread in a number of ways.  First, it can spread from person to person through skin to skin contact with a person who is infected.  Second, it can spread from an animal to a human, so when a human touches an animal with ringworm, it can be passed on to the human.  It can spread from object to human if there is an object that has been touched by an infected person.  It is very rare but yet possible for ringworm to be passed through contact with infected soil.

There are several factors that put you at a higher risk for developing ringworm.  Some of those risk factors include sharing clothing, towels, or bedding with a person who has a fungal infection, sweating excessively, living in humid, damp, or crowded conditions, having close contact with an infected person, wearing restricted or tight clothing, and having a weaker immune system. 

Treatment for Ringworm

If the ringworm is covering a large area, is severe, or will not respond to over the counter medicine, it is possible that you will need a topical medication of prescription strength.  A cream, lotion, ointment, or oral medication may be necessary.  Some of the topical medications include Loprox, Mentax, Econazole, Monistat-Derm, Lamisil, and Oxistat.  Oral medications include Sporanox, Nizoral, Diflucan, and Lamisil.  There are some reported side effects from the oral medications, which include rash, abnormal functioning of the liver, and gastrointestinal upset.  Using antacid therapies for gastroesophageal reflux or antacid therapies for ulcer disease may make it difficult or impossible for these drugs to be absorbed.  Also be aware that Warfarin, taken as an anticoagulant, may not be effective if you are taking a drug for ringworm.

If you have a mild case of ringworm, you may be able to take an antifungal lotion, ointment, or cream that is available over the counter.  Some of these medications include Tinactin, Micatin, Lamisil, Lotrimin AF and Mycelex.  It is important for you to wash the affected area and dry it.  Then you should apply the topical medication one or two times per day for at minimum two weeks until it is healed.  If you do not see an improvement after four weeks of treatment, you need to see your doctor. 

Prevention of Ringworm

It is difficult to prevent ringworm.  The fungus that causes it is very common and it is contagious before you even know that you have it.  The good news though is that it is possible to reduce your risk of developing ringworm.  First, you should educate yourself and other people about the risk.  Second, you should keep your hands clean and shared areas clean in order to prevent the spread of the fungus.  Third, you need to stay cool and dry, because sweating, warmth, and humidity is perfect for a fungus to grow.  Keep your pets healthy, and if your pet has a bald spot, have it checked by a doctor and don't touch it in case it is ringworm.  Finally, personal items should stay personal and not be shared by others.

Tinea Versicolor

Tinea versicolor is a common fungal infection.  It is also known as pityriasis versicolor.  It will interfere with the pigmentation of your skin, which means that you may have small discolored patches of skin.  Antifungal shampoos, lotions, and creams can be used to treat the condition; however, even after the treatment, the color of the skin may still remain uneven for a few weeks until the repigmentation occurs, and the tinea versicolor will return in humid and warm weather.

Symptoms of Tinea Versicolor

This infection looks like a very thin fungus on your skin.  The symptoms of the condition appear as patches that grow slowly, small scaly patches of skin that is discolored, patches that appear more noticeable following sun exposure, and slight itching.  The patches can be in a number of colors, including tan, pink, dark brown, and white.  This infection can affect anyone, and it does not matter what skin color you have, but it may be more obvious on dark skin.  This infection is most common on the upper arms, neck, back, and chest.

Causes of Tinea Versicolor

Healthy skin may actually have the fungus causing this condition in its pores, but tinea versicolor occurs when the fungus becomes overgrown.  There are a few factors that cause this growth, such as oily skin, excessive sweating, hormonal changes, hot and humid weather, oily skin, ad immunosuppression. 

Treatments of Tinea Versicolor

If you have a mild case, you may be able to treat it with an over the counter lotion, ointment, or cream.  Most of these infections will respond to topical agents, such as Micatin, Lotrimin, Selsun Blue, Lamisil, and Lotrimin.  Before applying the antifungal ointment, you should first apply a thin layer of the topical agent one to two times per day for at minimum two weeks.  If there is no improvement after four weeks of time, then you should contact your doctor as you may need a medication that is stronger. 

If tinea versicolor does not respond to over the counter medication, you may need an oral medication or else a topical medication that is of prescription strength.  These medications may include Selsun, Loprox, or Nizoral.  Oral medications may include Diflucan, Sporanox, and Nizoral. 

Prevention of Tinea Versicolor

To prevent tinea versicolor, you should not apply oily products or oil to your skin or wear tight, nonventilated, or restrictive clothing.  Exposure to the sun can also make the infection more obvious.  In order to keep it from coming back, your physician may be able to provide an oral treatment or a topical treatment that you can take one or two times a month.  Some of these preventive treatments include Sporanox, Nizoral, and Selsun.