Is there a skin fungus among us?

Do I have a skin fungus?

The medical term Tinea is used to describe the family of skin fungus infections that affect many of us. While some people develop a natural resistance to these diseases after infection, others suffer from chronic conditions. Some studies even indicate that susceptibility may be hereditary.

The most common infections are: Tinea Pedis (Athlete's foot), Onychomycosis (nail fungus), Tinea Cruris (Jock itch), Tinea Corporis (Ringworm), and Tinea Capitis (Scalp ringworm). While each of these diseases produce different symptoms, the treatment is more or less the same.

A skin fungus is caused by fungi. Fungi are found in the soil and are naturally present on our body. It's when a fungus gets inside of our body that the trouble starts. Not all fungi are harmful. Most of us love to eat mushrooms, for example, and the non-poisonous ones don't give us any trouble. The specific fungi that we don't want in our body are the ones that are termed "dermatophytes" which include Microsporum, Trichophyton, and Epidermophyton.

When you are infected the fungus is actually eating your skin and, in the case of a nail infection, your nails. It will continue to munch on you until you do something to make it stop. That "something" should begin with a trip to the doctor's office for an examination of the infected area.

Skin Fungus Symptoms

The symptoms will depend upon the particular infection and the type of fungus that is at the root of the problem.

In most cases there is almost always some sort of rash. This rash might be red, raised, scaly, and itchy, or it could simply look like dry skin. If you have a nail infection then you will likely have thick, flaky, and discolored nails as well. Rashes may remain localized or they could spread.

The reasons that skin fungus infections are so common is that the invading fungi thrive on keratin which is the main protein that comprises your skin and nails.

If you have athlete's foot then you will most likely experience skin scaling and the area between your toes will feel "soggy". The infected area may appear paler than the non-infected area and the infection is almost always accompanied by an itch.

Nail infections, which are still a skin fungus, will usually cause the affected finger or toe nails to be thick, deformed, yellow, and crumbly. Nail infections, especially toe nail infections, are very commonly present along with athlete's foot.

Jock itch usually starts in the area between the top of your legs and your sex organs. From there it will usually spread down the inside of your thigh. The very edges of the rash are usually bright red and raised and will appear scaly. The rest of the affected area will generally turn reddish-brown and the scale will not be present.

Ringworm causes red patches that appear scaly at the edges and have clear skin in the center. The patches spread out from the center in rings which is what gives ringworm its name. There is no "worm" involved and its just another skin fungus.

Thrush (Candida albicans) usually infects the mouth and tongue but can also take up residence in any mucus membrane including the vagina. Thrush will generally cause small white patches of skin that will leave a red mark if rubbed off. If it is located in the vagina it will cause symptoms very similar to yeast infection. Thrush can also take up residence in the penis and usually causes at least a red rash if not some or all of the symptoms of male yeast infection.

Regardless of the type, a skin fungus is usually always cured by the application of an anti-fungal cream or ointment. Occasionally your doctor may prescribe an oral treatment in severe cases. Although most fungus-caused infections are not life threatening, some very serious sexually transmitted diseases have the same symptoms at onset. This is just one reason why you should never self-diagnose. Always see a doctor. There is too much at stake not to do otherwise.