Rate of infections has been increasing over the period of time. It is assumed that most of the infections, especially fungal give threatening complications. This is because rate of fungal infections comparatively higher than other infections. Also it does look ugly making people more concerned about their situation. In this last COVID phase, we have witnessed black fungus, white fungus, and other cases of fungal infections rising. However they were present before but COVID’s impact on our immunity created an easy passage for them spread infection. Today we will have a look at different types of fungal infection which may cause health complications.
What are Fungal Infections?
We spoke to Dr. Ishan Chaturvedi, Consultant in Dermatology from Vozart Healthcare Hospital, Dehradun, to help us know about types of fungal infections. He told us that fungal infections can be of several types and severity depends on the location and point of influence. Mostly people have fungal infections because of unhygienic living conditions, getting infected with contaminated water, food or soil, etc. Other people could catch it through fungal growth of vegetation etc.
The most disturbing fact about fungal infections is that most people do not take it seriously or apply home remedies without consultation. This increases their infection and adversity of situation. Every fungal infection has different treatment method, and hence it is important to know different types to remain aware of it from next time onwards.
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Common Examples of Fungal Infections
Here are some common examples of fungal infections, which are either contagious or non contagious.
- Athlete’s foot
- Vaginal yeast infection
- Ringworm infection
- Jock itch
- Mycosis
- Nail fungal infection- onychomycosis
Types of Common Fungal Infections
1. Athlete’s Foot
This is one of the most common fungal infections when it comes to rate of infection. Athlete’s foot is called tinea pedis originally. As the name suggests it is widely associated with athletes, not just because it is happens only to them, but because this infection spreads because of humidity between toes. People who wear tight shoes for long hours during the day could be affected with this fungal problem which might grow if proper ointment is not applied.
Fungal infection tine pedis occurs in hands and nails, it is particularly associated with higher risk of people that get more sweat and wear shoes for long period of time. You may however also catch this infection from contaminated surface, in a public locker room, or because of using someone else’s shoes.
Symptoms-
- Itching
- Stinging sensation in feet
- Burning sensation between toes
- Cracks or peels between toes
2. Jock Itch
Another fungal infection which is rather kept a secret is jock itch. This it caused in your groin region, and between your inner thighs and buttocks. Jock itch is similar to athlete’s foot as it is also caused because of dermatophytes. It is a group of fungi which penetrate in warm and humid area and mostly affect men more than women. Usually over the counter medications are given to people to get rid of this fungal infection. They consist of anti-fungal creams and powders etc.
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Symptoms of this fungal infection include-
- Redness between thighs
- Itching in the groin region
- Burning sensation
- Change in colour in the area of infection
- Flaking or skin or cracking skin
- Rash which gets worse in case of exercise
3. Ringworm infection
This is a much serious infection which might cause complications if not given attention. Ringworm is a fungal infection that affects your skin at a higher rate. These infections can grow on the part of your body which remains humid at most times. It affects different parts of the body such as neck, feet, arms, etc. Ringworm infection is a skin infection that gives redness and itchiness over the period of time. You would be given anti-fungal medication, creams, gels and ointments to cure this fungal infection.
Symptoms of Ringworm Infection
- Redness and rashes
- Itchiness over the infected area
- Patches of ringworm over skin
- Bald patches on scalp
- Thick discoloured or cracked nails if infection happens in nails
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4. Yeast infection
It is a common problem which occurs to women at majority of occasions. Candida albicans is the fungus which grows inside the skin, urinary tract, genital areas and gastrointestinal tract. Yeast infections in women are known to grow at rapid rate in adequate conditions and can prove to be very problematic to health. There is a fact with yeast infection, it is usually present in small amount with majority of women population but if the hygiene is not taken care of, it multiplies rapidly.
Symptoms of yeast infection-
- Itchiness
- Pain in infected region
- Abnormal discharge
- Swelling in the infected area
- Redness around the area of yeast infection
5. Toenail Fungus
You may have noticed a fluid formation in the side of your nails at some point in your life. This is related to that fungal infection. Since it does not have a major affect on your health, most people neglect it. But toenail infection can spread to other nails and cause difficulty in movement and cause serious infection. It is usually located that toenails, fingernails, and nail beds. This fungal infection is named as tinea unguium.
It usually starts from a small fluid build-up in the nail. It can be in the form of light spots, as the fungus grows and infects your nails deeper, then it changes shape and colour of your nails. Sometimes carelessness can make this infection grow deeper and lead your nails to become brittle and thicker.
Symptoms of Toenail Fungal Infection
- Scaling under the nail
- Patches or spots or white or yellow beneath the nail
- Flakiness and crumbling of nail
- Thick of brittle nail
- Lining of the nail bed is infected or seems unusual
- Nail bed is higher than usual
Potential treatment for treating toe nail infections take several weeks if the infection has gone inside the nail bed. You definitely need to consult an expert in this can, he may give you antibiotic injection to reduce the fungus growth, or get a nail surgery done.
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