If you've ever had a yeast infection or athlete's foot, you may not realize that you've actually had a skin fungus. Fungi are a group of organisms that can form spores. Fungi in the plural, or fungi can live almost anywhere and usually don't cause infections or grow on the skin. However, occasionally the fungus can live on the skin and cause diseases such as ringworm, athlete's foot, itchy groin, or yeast infection in the vagina. Do not worry. Fungal infections of the skin are not life threatening and usually don't have a serious impact either. In addition, there are several ways you can do to reduce your risk of developing skin fungus.
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Part 1 of 3: Reducing Risk
Step 1. Know who is at risk for yeast infection
There are several things that can increase the risk of fungal infection, such as sharing clothing or personal equipment (brushes/combs) with an infected person. However, some people are also more susceptible to infection because they have risk factors. People who are at risk for yeast infections include:
- People with weakened immune systems due to drugs, steroid use, or other infections and diseases
- People who use antibiotics and immune system-suppressing drugs on a long-term basis
- Adults or babies who experience incontinence, or are unable to hold urine so that the area around the genitals is moist
- People who sweat a lot
- Those who work or spend time in an environment where they are in contact with high-risk people. For example nurses, school teachers, inpatients, students, and sports coaches.
Step 2. Identify skin locations that are at risk for fungal infection
Moist areas of the skin are more at risk for fungal infections because fungi need moist conditions to thrive. This section includes between the toes, under the breast tissue, the area around the genitals (including the vaginal area), and between skin folds.
Step 3. Be careful while in public
Fungal infections are highly contagious, so you can get them from exposure to infected skin cells. Try to reduce this exposure while in public places where people with yeast infections come. Wear flip-flops if you're using a public locker room, bathroom, or pool. You also shouldn't share towels or combs with other people in the locker room.
Never touch skin surfaces or share shoes with an infected person
Step 4. Keep skin clean and dry
Fungus grows in warm, moist environments, such as between your toes or groin. Keeping your skin dry and clean can reduce the potential for infection. There are several things you can do to keep your skin dry.
- Change socks once or twice a day if you sweat a lot. Allow your bath towels to dry completely before using them again.
- Clean and dry skin folds such as under the breasts or under the stomach. Sprinkle moisture-absorbing powder or medicated powder into the folds of your skin while you exercise or before visiting hot places.
- You should change the shoes you wear every day so they can dry before putting them back on, especially if they get sweaty. Also, wash the jockstrap pants after each use.
Step 5. Increase endurance
You are more susceptible to yeast infections if your immune system is weak. To improve your immune system, take a daily vitamin supplement and consider taking probiotics. Try to eat a balanced diet rich in healthy fats and reduce carbohydrate intake. You also have to meet the needs of body fluids by drinking water. The color of your urine should be bright yellow. Sleeping 8 hours every night is also beneficial for your immune system.
Your immune system may not function optimally even if you don't have a medical condition or are taking immune-suppressing medications. So, strengthening the immune system is important
Step 6. Prevent the spread of an existing infection
Prevent the spread of the yeast infection that you are experiencing from spreading to other parts of the body or to your family members. Your family members should be examined and treated if a yeast infection is suspected. Fungal infections are highly contagious, so take the following precautions to prevent them from spreading:
- Avoid scratching the infected area. Wash your hands frequently and keep them dry.
- Wear flip-flops in the bathroom if you have athlete's foot.
- Wash all towels in warm soapy water and machine dry. Use a clean towel every time you shower or wash your body.
- Clean the tub and bathroom floor after each use.
- Wear clean, dry clothes every day, and don't share socks or clothes with other people.
- Treat all infected pets.
- Children and adults may use medicated shampoo 2 to 3 times a week for 6 weeks to prevent Tinea capitis (itching/ringworm of the scalp).
- Soak combs and hairbrushes for 1 hour daily in a 1:1 mixture of bleach and water for 3 days if you have tinea capitis. Do not share combs, hairbrushes, hats, pillows, helmets or towels with other people.
Part 2 of 3: Recognizing the Symptoms
Step 1. Determine if you are infected with ringworm
Although known by various names according to the location of the infection in the body, ringworm infection is caused by the same fungus (not by worms, or bacteria). Athlete's foot infections, jock itch, or ringworm are all caused by the same fungus, even if they are located differently. Symptoms may vary slightly depending on the location of the yeast infection.
Step 2. Recognize the symptoms of athlete's foot
Athlete's foot, also known as Tinea pedis, causes itching and redness of the skin between the toes, and sometimes on the soles of the feet. You may feel a burning or stinging sensation, and the infected skin will be blistered and scaly. You may also find red, scaly bumps between your toes.
Step 3. Recognize the symptoms of itching in the groin
Itching in the groin, also known as Tinea cruris, most commonly affects adolescent and male adults. Symptoms include patches of reddened, thickened skin with a clear border in the groin. The color of the spot is redder on the outside, and looks more like flesh on the inside so it looks like a ring. This infection can also cause abnormal skin pigmentation to become permanently darker or lighter.
This infection is more common in teenage boys who play athletics and spend time in locker rooms. They may also become infected with athlete's foot from the same fungus that infects their groin
Step 4. Check for ringworm on your body
Tinea corporis is a ringworm infection that attacks the body, but not the scalp, behind the beard, in the legs or groin. This infection appears at first in the form of small, raised, pimple-like patches that are itchy and then thicken rapidly. This skin rash will then slowly form a ring of ringworm with a redder outside and a more skin-colored inside.
You should also pay attention to dermatophytosis (rash). This rash appears on other parts of the body and may accompany ringworm of the body. You may find itchy rash bumps on your fingers that appear as a result of an allergic reaction to the fungus, not because you touched an infected body part
Step 5. Check facial hair for ringworm
Tinea barbae is ringworm of the facial hair of men. This fungus can cause deeper infection of facial hair follicles and result in permanent hair loss due to the formation of scar tissue that accompanies hair follicle infection. Symptoms include skin that is red, itchy, and scaly. Depending on the location, you may notice a characteristic ring of ringworm with a red border and a flesh-colored interior. Hair growth in men infected with this fungus will also stop.
You should also pay attention to the presence of dermatophytosis (rash). This rash appears on other parts of the body and may accompany ringworm on the face. You may find itchy rash bumps on your fingers that appear as a result of an allergic reaction to the fungus and not from touching the infected area
Step 6. Be aware of the symptoms of ringworm on the scalp
Tinea capitis is ringworm that affects part or all of the scalp. The infected area will be itchy and red, often inflamed and form pus-filled sores. This fungus can also cause scaly scalp, either in one part only or in most of the scalp. You may also find "dark spots" which are broken hairs caused by ringworm on the scalp. Patients with tinea capitis will experience hair loss during the active infection. In addition, this infection can lead to scar tissue formation and permanent baldness if not treated properly. People with ringworm of the scalp may also experience a low-grade fever below 38.3 degrees Celsius or swelling of the lymph nodes of the neck while the body is fighting the infection.
You should also pay attention to the presence of dermatophytosis (rash). This rash appears on other parts of the body and may accompany ringworm on the face. You may find itchy rash bumps on your fingers that appear as a result of an allergic reaction to the fungus and not from touching the infected area
Step 7. Recognize a vaginal yeast infection
Yeast is actually a fungus and can cause vaginal infections in women. The vagina, labia, and vulva can become infected with yeast. You should not try to treat the symptoms at home if you have had more than 4 infections in the previous year, are pregnant, have uncontrolled diabetes, have a weakened immune system, or if you have tears, cracks, or open sores in the area around your vagina. Most yeast infection symptoms range from mild to moderate, and include:
- Itching and irritation in the vagina or at the vaginal entrance
- Redness or swelling at the vaginal entrance
- Vaginal pain and tenderness
- Burning sensation when urinating or having sex
- Vaginal discharge that resembles cottage cheese, is white, thick, and odorless.
Part 3 of 3: Overcoming Skin Fungus
Step 1. Treat athlete's foot
Over-the-counter antifungal powders or creams are quite effective at controlling or treating infections. Look for products that contain miconazole, cotrimazole, terbinafine, or tolnaftate. Follow the instructions for use on the package and use this medicine for at least 2 weeks and 1-2 weeks after the infection has cleared to prevent it from coming back. Wash your hands 2 times a day with soap and water. Be sure to dry your feet and between your toes, then put on clean socks after every foot wash.
- Wear shoes that breathe well and are made of natural materials. You should also wear different shoes every day so that they dry completely.
- If you have athlete's foot that doesn't respond to home treatments, your doctor may prescribe an oral medication after checking for an infection by taking a sample.
Step 2. Treat itching in the groin
Use over-the-counter antifungal medications to help control the infection. These drugs should contain miconazole, tolnaftate, terbinafine, or clotrimazole. The infection you are experiencing should begin to subside within a few weeks. See a doctor if your infection lasts more than 2 weeks, is severe, or recurs frequently (more than 4 times a year). If your infection doesn't respond to home treatments, your doctor may prescribe an oral medication after checking your infection by taking a sample.
- Avoid wearing tight clothing, or anything that touches or irritates the skin.
- Wash all underwear and jockstrap pants after each wear.
Step 3. Treat ringworm on the body
Use over-the-counter creams containing oxyconazole, clotrimazole, ketoconazole, or terbinafine. Follow the instructions on the package for 10 days. Generally, you should wash and dry the infected area, then apply the cream from the outside to the center. Wash and dry your hands after applying the cream. Do not apply a plaster that covers ringworm because it will make the skin moist.
- If you have ringworm on your scalp or beard, you should see a doctor for medical treatment. If you have ringworm on your body that doesn't respond to home treatments, your doctor may prescribe an oral medication after testing for your infection by taking a sample.
- School-age children infected with ringworm can return to school once treatment is started.
Step 4. Treat vaginal infections
Uncomplicated vaginal yeast infections can be treated with over-the-counter drugs. Use vaginal antifungal suppositories, soaps, tablets, or azole drug ointments. These drugs include butoconazole, miconazole, clotrimazole, and terconazole. You may also feel a burning sensation or mild irritation in the area you are giving the medication. Always follow the instructions for use on the medicine package.
This oil-based cream can loosen latex condoms or diaphragms. If you use one of these tools to prevent pregnancy, understand that their effectiveness will decrease during treatment
Step 5. Treat complications from vaginal infections
You may need long-term vaginal therapy using prescription azole vaginal creams that are stronger than over-the-counter vaginal creams. You will use this cream for 10 to 14 days. If you have complications from a vaginal yeast infection, your doctor may prescribe fluconazole (Diflucan) to be taken once. Or, you may be given 2 to 3 doses of fluconazole instead of the cream. However, this option is not recommended for pregnant women.
If you have recurrent infections, you may use a maintenance dose of fluconazole once a week for 6 months or clotrimazole vaginal suppositories
Step 6. See a doctor if you have diabetes or a weakened immune system
Your doctor will help you treat a yeast infection because diabetes and a weak immune system can increase your risk of experiencing more severe symptoms from a yeast infection.
See a doctor so you can be treated early to reduce any health problems that may arise, or secondary infections due to scratching
Step 7. See a doctor if a fungal infection affects your scalp or beard
Your doctor will prescribe an oral medication such as griseofulvin, terbinafine, or itraconazole. Take this medication as directed by your doctor, generally for at least 4 weeks and for a maximum of 8 weeks. You can increase your chances of successful therapy by:
- Keep the infected part dry and clean
- Wash your hair and beard with a medicated shampoo containing selenium sulfide or ketoconazole. This will help stop the fungus from spreading, but won't treat an existing infection.
Tips
- Treat yeast infections early to prevent the infection from spreading to other parts of the body or to other people. Early treatment will also increase the chances of successful treatment.
- If the yeast infection doesn't clear up within 2-3 weeks, see a doctor for stronger medical treatment and make sure the rash isn't caused by something else like psoriasis, or a bacterial infection. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics if there is a secondary bacterial infection from scratching.
- Other infections, including sexually transmitted infections, can cause the same symptoms as a vaginal yeast infection. You should see a doctor if your symptoms do not improve after taking medication to make sure you are not suffering from a more serious illness.
- If you have a vaginal infection, your sexual partner usually doesn't need treatment either.
