Fungi

INDEX:

  1. What are fungi?
  2. Common Symptoms
  3. Diagnosis
  4. What are the causes of skin fungus?
  5. Prevention
  6. Treatments
  7. Medical specialists in fungus treatment

What are skin fungi?

Fungi are microorganisms that can cause mycosis in humans and are capable of living permanently with them without causing an infection, although on certain occasions they can develop. Skin fungi can become pathogenic and become dangerous to health, which can occur after a weakening of the immune system.

It is also for this reason that fungal infections are more common in the hot season: in fact, humidity, heat and the stay in crowded places favor their increase.

There are two main subgroups of cutaneous mycoses:

  • Superficial (cutaneous): only affect the surface of the skin, nails and mucous membranes.
  • Subcutaneous: they spread to the dermis.

The most common types of cutaneous mycosis are the following:

  • Dermatophytosis: affects nails, hairs and hair (i.e. keratinized areas).
  • Candidosis: develops in moist areas of the human body (groin, armpits and between the fingers).
  • Pityriasis versicolor: causes the appearance of scaly patches in different regions, such as the neck, shoulders, chest, stomach, arms and face.

Symptoms of fungus on the skin

Some of the most common symptoms are:

  • Dyschromia or altered skin pigmentation (white, red or brown patches, with scaly, raised edges).
  • May cause alopecia in the form of patchy scalp patches.
  • Itching
  • Inflammation and irritation
  • Onychomycosis
  • Dermatophytosis or ringworm of the body
  • Athlete’s foot or ringworm of the foot: cracking, pain and itching between the toes, raw skin, discoloration and weakening of the nails.
  • Malassezia
  • Dermatophytes: causes pityriasis versicolor, a superficial mycosis, called pityriasis versicolor.

There are many types of fungi and each one
manifests itself in a different way.

Diagnosis of skin fungus

For the diagnosis of fungus on the skin, the specialist can resort to different tests, such as:

  • Blood tests.
  • Sampling and analysis of skin scales, hair and nail fragments for laboratory analysis.
  • Smears for fungi.
  • Use of the Wood lamp that emits an ultraviolet light and allows the identification of the type of fluorescence of the fungus in question.
  • Examination of a lymph node sample to identify the microorganisms causing the infection.
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What are the causes of skin fungus?

The causes of fungal attack may be various, but they are always related to a decrease in the immune defenses:

  • Incorrect diet
  • Lack of hygiene
  • Stress
  • Excessive heat
  • Excessive sweating
  • Wearing clothes that are too tight
  • Prolonged use of immunosuppressive drugs, antibiotics or cortisone-based medications
  • Diseases that affect the immune system

Another possible factor that influences the appearance of fungus is associated with humidity, especially in the summer season, together with increased habits such as going to the swimming pool, sports facilities, communal showers, etc.

Can they be prevented?

Yes, they can. Fungi can be prevented and for this we name some of the measures suggested by the Spanish Academy of Dermatology and Venerology (AEDV) to avoid the appearance of a fungal infection:

  • Do not share personal underwear with other people.
  • Use slippers in the common showers of gyms, swimming pools, etc.
  • Preferably use underwear and clothing in general made of natural fibers.
  • Dry carefully after washing, especially the wet areas of the body.
  • Avoid taking drugs for prolonged periods of time. Use antifungal powders in footwear.

Treatments for skin fungus

Treatments for this type of infection obviously vary depending on the fungus in question and the degree of irritation. The most common therapies are:

  • Antifungal drugs to be applied to the lesion.
  • Antifungal drugs to be taken orally (in the case of resistant fungi).
  • Corticosteroid drugs to soothe itching.
  • Drugs for skin fungus.

Which specialist should I contact?

If the typical symptoms of cutaneous mycosis are found, a dermatologist should be consulted as soon as possible, who will be able to diagnose the type of mycosis and determine the most appropriate treatment for the patient.