What are the signs and symptoms of fungal infection on skin?
Just like a bacteria or virus, a fungal infection can also infect human skin. They usually infect skin when it stays moist. They are classified into 2 types: yeasts (candida or malassezia) and dermatophytes (epidermophytes, microsporum and trichophyton). People who are immunocompromised (diabetes), obese or have habit of leaving skin areas moist and warm (between toes, neck folds or abdominal folds), sharing towels with infected person, keeping pets who are infected. Common infections include: athlete’s foot, jock itch, ringworm infections, onychomycosis and tinea infections. These infections are also named after the body part that they infect: tinea unguium (nails infection), tinea capitis (head involvement), tinea cruris (groin), tinea pedis (feet), tinea corporis (body) and tinea versicolor (malassezia overgrowth anywhere on skin). The sign and symptoms of a skin fungal disease are: itchy, burning rash, scaly, discoloration of skin, blisters or swelling of the affected area. The diagnosis is clinical and visualising the scrapings of the rash on microscope. There are multiple antifungals available but prevention and changing life habits is more effective. Preventions include: good hygiene, not sharing cloths and towels, changing cloths daily and using socks and shoes which are made of breathable materials, making sure to dry off body folds carefully, wiping down shared surfaces and treating pet infections as well. Pharmacological treatment includes: clotrimazole, terbinafine, fluconazole, amphotericin and many more.