A Simple Guide to Skin Fungal Infections, (Updated 2023) Diagnosis, Treatment and Related Conditions

This book describes Skin Fungal Infections, Diagnosis and Treatment and Related Diseases

Fungal Infection

What are Skin Fungal Infections (Tinea means Skin)?
Skin fungal infections are caused by a plant form type of micro-organism which invades the dead layers of the skin such as the dead scaly cells of the skin, finger nails, toe nails, webs of feet and fingers and the follicles of hair in the head or armpit. Some fungi can invade the inside of the mouth and vagina (oral and vaginal thrush) and lungs (actinomycosis). These are caused by Candida or yeast infections. They fortunately are not so common

What are the types of skin fungal infections?

1. Ringworm (Tinea corporis) In spite of its name the disease is not caused by a worm. It is usually found on the skin of the body as a raised area of skin seen in the form of a ring hence the name ring worm. The ringworm is caused by a number of fungi of which Tinea corporis is the most common

2. Athlete Foot (Tinea pedis) This occurs in a hot humid environment and most commonly affect the feet of the young male adults. Exercise which causes the feet to become hot and sweaty creates an ideal environment for this infection. Athletes are most prone to it hence the name Athlete foot. They occur as scaly areas between the toes and can spread to the under surface of toes and feet and from one foot to another. The skin is usually red and itchy.

3. White spots (Tinea Versicolor) These white spots which can be seen in many people at the beach or swimming pools are due to a fungal infection which can affect people of any age and sex. White spots occurs in the skin of those who are exposed to an environment which is moist hot and humid. The white spots may appear as white, pink or light brown. They do not tan on exposed to sunlight. So against a tanned skin the white or pink spots become obvious. They usually occur on the upper part of the trunk such as the neck, chest, upper arm and abdomen They may be itchy.

4. Nail Fungal Infections Nail Fungal Infection is a common disease caused by superficial fungi infection affecting the nails of the fingers and toes. They occur more commonly in people who live in tropical climates because of the humidity.

Nail Fungal Infections are caused by the 3 groups of fungi -
Yeasts or candidia,
Dermatophytes which includes Epidermphyton, Trichophyton and Microsporum
Molds.
Nail Fungal Infection is mildly contagious and can spread by direct contact with the infected skin and nails of infected persons, towels and shoes, contaminated floors and infected pets.
Females are affected more than males because they do more housework involving wetting of hands.

The symptoms of most fungal skin infections are:
Red or discolored rash
Itching
Stinging
Burning
Acne-like bumps around the rash

A doctor should be able to diagnose a ringworm or yeast infection of the skin during a physical examination.

Wood’s lamp examination by a doctor uses a handheld back light to confirm the presence of fungi.

The doctor may swab the skin and do a skin culture to confirm the type of fungus.

A skin scraping of the rash can be mixed with potassium hydrochloride (KOH) to determine if fungi are present.

Oral antifungal medicines will treat fungal infections:
Fluconazole
Itraconazole
Terbinafine
Griseofulvin

Topical antifungal drugs are:
Clotrimazole
Econazole
Ketoconazole
Nystatin

TABLE OF CONTENT
Introduction
Chapter 1 Skin Fungal Infections
Chapter 2 Tinea corporis (Ringworm)
Chapter 3 Tinea Pedis (Athlete’s Foot)
Chapter 4 Tinea Versicolori (White Spots)
Chapter 5 Fungal Acne (Tinea Faciei)
Chapter 6 Nail Fungal Infection (Tinea Unguium)
Chapter 7 Tinea cruris (Jock Itch)
Chapter 8 Kerion
Epilogue