Fungal infections of the skin often start unnoticed, but can cause unpleasant symptoms such as itching, peeling or redness. The appearance of different lesions caused by different fungi can vary, so recognition and appropriate treatment are essential. It is important to be alert to the symptoms of skin infections early to avoid more serious complications.
Maintaining good hygiene, keeping skin dry and avoiding hot and humid environments can all help prevent infections. In particular, when using public spaces such as swimming pools and changing rooms, wear appropriate footwear and clean thoroughly to minimise the chance of infection. Even small carelessness can lead to infection, so it is always a good idea to look after your skin health to prevent fungal infections.
Certain signs and symptoms suggest that a pathogen has settled on the skin and that you have a skin fungal infection.
When to suspect a fungal skin infection?
- changes in the colour and feel of the skin surface,
- or develop symptoms that are related to the surface of the skin,
- itching, which is one of the most common symptoms of almost all types of dermatomycosis
In addition
- reddish discoloration of the skin,
- thickening,
- peeling,
- occasional discharge,
- small blisters
- or scabby lesions protruding from the skin
- unpleasant smell, e.g. on legs, feet, hairline
Different infections can occur in different places, so there is no area of the body where a fungal infection cannot develop. Both dry and wet lesions can accompany fungal infections. The colourful symptom picture also indicates that there is no typical presentation of the lesions caused by a fungal infection, so it is always important to distinguish it from other skin conditions.
Fungal skin infection (Latin name: dermatomycosis) is a common condition caused by different types of fungi that causes lesions of the skin or skin appendages (nails, hair). It is not always possible to distinguish the causative fungal species on the basis of the clinical picture, as different fungal species can cause similar clinical pictures.1, 2
Skin fungus has different types, locations and symptoms.
The most common forms of dermatomycosis are:
FOOT FUNGUS (Latin name: Mycosis pedis)
Symptoms: frequent itching, peeling, redness and cracking of the skin, and in some cases, especially neglected cases, blistering or thickening of the skin
Location: feet, toe area
Often associated with toenail fungus.
FUNGAL INFECTION OF THE HAND (Latin name: Mycosis manum)
Symptoms: redness, peeling and itching
Location: on palms or between fingers
Often unilateral, especially on the hands of people who do physical work. It is also often associated with onychomycosis of the nails.
FUNGAL INFECTION ON THE BODY(Latin name: Mycosis corporis)
Symptoms: circular, red, itchy rash, with prominent edges and a clear centre, resembling a ring
Location: trunk, limbs
SUN FUNGUS/ BEACH FUNGUS (Latin name: Pityriasis versicolor)
Symptoms: discoloured, yellowish-brown or brownish-red patches on the skin. The patches may be lighter or darker than the surrounding skin and may be slightly itchy.
Location: typically on the chest, back and upper arms
This form of fungal infection is common in people who live in hot and humid areas and in people who tend to sweat.
BURNED SKIN (Latin name: Mycosis intertriginosa or Intertrigo)
Symptoms: brownish red, reddened, oozing lesions
Location: warm, damp, dark places, skin folds (groin, armpits, areas between and under breasts, around buttocks, other folds) where moisture and friction are common
FUNGAL INFECTION ON THE FACE (Latin name: Mycosis faciei)
Type 1:
Symptoms: itchy, red and inflamed lesions, possibly with small blisters
Location: on the hairy part of the face (beard, moustache)
Hair can be pulled out painlessly, heals with scarring, hair loss.
Type 2
Symptoms: ring-shaped scaly patches
Location: hair-free areas of the face
(In the condition of eruption of the labial mucosa – Latin angulus infectiosus oris – fungus is often implicated as the cause of infection, but bacterial infection is also associated. In a moist environment, with saliva discharge and poor oral hygiene, the oral mucosa is inflamed, inflamed and painful.)
SCALP FUNGUS (Latin name: Mycosis capitis)
Symptoms: scaly round lesions affecting the superficial layer in the form of evenly broken hairs, small blisters (pustules) affecting the deeper layer and unevenly long broken hairs.
Location: scalp and hair
It is more common in children but can also affect adults, particularly in immunocompromised states. In the form affecting the deeper layers of the skin, scarring and balding may be seen.
NAIL FUNGUS (Latin name: Onychomycosis pedis and manum)
Symptoms: discoloration, thickening and brittleness of the nails
Location: nails, most often on the feet
Usually affects only part of a nail at first, then gradually spreads to other nails and eventually causes lesions throughout the entire nail thickness and sometimes even in the nail bed. People who do wet work, such as cleaners, cooks, labourers, farmers and industrial workers, are more likely to get a fungal infection of the nail. Because of the slow growth and thickness of the nails, onychomycosis usually requires longer treatment than other forms of cutaneous fungus.
CANDIDA – INFECTION
Symptoms: may vary according to the area of the body affected: redness, plaque, burning sensation. Often general physical symptoms are also present.
Location: groin, armpits, mouth, nail folds, genital area
Candida species, usually caused by Candida albicans.
Certain factors such as a weakened immune system, antibiotic use, hormonal changes (such as pregnancy or oral contraceptive use), uncontrolled diabetes, excessive moisture and warmth of the skin folds, and damaged skin can also contribute to the development of infection.
The types of the disease show the many ways in which superficial fungal skin infections can complicate life. It is therefore very important to look out for small signs and to prevent spread to larger surfaces as early as possible.
Preventing skin fungal infections is key to maintaining long-term health. Good hygiene habits and minimising sweating can significantly reduce the risk of infection. Success in treating skin fungal infections depends largely on rapid recognition and appropriate therapy. If the infection is diagnosed early, local treatment can stop the spread. In more severe cases, however, medication may be needed to prevent further complications. It is important to follow hygiene rules, especially in warm, humid environments where fungal infections can easily develop. If any suspicious symptoms are noticed, it is advisable to seek medical advice in time for a speedy recovery.
1 Rácz- Török- Horváth: Practical Dermatology Medicina Publisher 1990
2 Körmendi: The practice of family medicine Semmelweis Publisher 2015
Forrás:
MYCOSID