Skin fungus - cause, symptoms and treatment
Dr. Anja Loose-Roland
Updated on 02. November 2023
Itchy and reddened skin can be an indication of an infection with skin fungi (dermatomycosis). The disease can occur in many parts of the body, with athlete's foot being the most common form. A fungal infection is not a sign of poor hygiene.
Skin fungus Brief overview:
- Causes: Different types of mushrooms
- Symptoms: Varies depending on pathogen & skin area
- Prevention: Pay attention to your own health, avoid stress & obesity
- Treatment: Cream or tablets, depending on the infection
What is the cause of skin fungus?
Skin fungi in humans and animals are caused by different types of fungi, mostly filamentous or yeast fungi. The individual species often occur on different parts of the body. Preferred sites for skin fungus are:
- Legs and feet
- Arms and hands
- Upper body
- Head and beard area
What are the different types of skin fungus?
The infections are grouped into different forms according to the body regions where the fungal infection occurs and the type of fungus.
- Athlete's foot (tinea pedis)
- Hand fungus (tinea manuum)
- [Nail fung]() us (onychomycosis or tinea unguium)
- Head fungus (tinea capitis)
- Ringworm as a circular skin fungus on arms, legs, back and chest (tinea corporis)
- Sweat rash in the groin area (cutaneous candidiasis)
- Pityriasis versicolor on the back, chest, neck and arms
- [Nappy rash]() on the buttocks of babies and toddlers
Most of these diseases are caused by filamentous fungi. Sweat [rash]() is caused by yeasts, which are found on everyone's skin, while pityriasis versicolor is caused by moulds.
What is the course of infection with skin fungus?
How those affected become infected depends on the respective type of fungus. Filamentous and mould fungi are transmitted through contact. Infection occurs predominantly through close contact with affected persons. Animals with skin fungus can also infect humans. Skin fungi do not die immediately when exposed to air. Therefore, indirect infection can also be, through:
- Carpet and floor coverings
- Shoes
- Towels
- Warm, moist objects in saunas or swimming pools, such as door handles and floors.
Yeast fungi surround people throughout their lives. In healthy people, these fungi can only multiply to a small extent and cannot enter the body. However, there are certain risk factors that favour an infection of the skin with yeast fungi.
Which risk factors favour skin fungus?
A healthy immune system is able to ward off skin fungi. The protective acid mantle of the skin prevents the spores from penetrating the organism. If the immune system is weakened, the skin's defence system cannot protect sufficiently. Risk factors include:
- Infection such as flu
- Diabetes
- Taking immunosuppressants
- Chemotherapy
- Obesity
- Excessive sweating
- Excessive hygiene
- Stress
Stress-related skin fungus occurs when several factors interact. The combination of lack of sleep, poor diet and psychological stress reduces the immune defence against pathogens. This makes it easier for fungi to penetrate the skin.
What are the symptoms of skin fungus?
The symptoms for skin fungus differ depending on the pathogen and skin area. The reason is that the fungi invade different areas of the skin.
How do you distinguish skin fungus?
Skin fungus can spread into the skin to different degrees. Therefore, two different types are distinguished:
\- Superficial skin fungus: only affects the horny layer as superficial skin.
\- Deeper skin fungus: spreads below the surface at the hair roots, often causing purulent inflammations.
Superficial skin fungi are easier to combat. This includes ringworm, in which a yeast fungus only settles in the cornea. Deeper types of fungi are usually caused by filamentous fungi and require extensive treatment.
How can I recognise skin fungus?
Skin fungus in the early stages shows up as one or two reddened, itchy spots in a relevant area of the body. If the skin fungus spreads further, the affected area becomes larger. At the same time, symptoms such as redness and [itching]() increase, depending on the type of fungus. With some skin fungi, white spots also appear on the affected skin areas. The symptoms of the disease depend on the type of fungus
\- Superficial form: minor inflammation, faint bluish redness of the skin in the affected area.
\- Deep form: oozing, purulent inflammation, severe itching, skin patches, hair loss, general malaise with swollen lymph nodes.
How is skin fungus diagnosed?
The diagnosis of skin fungus is already possible by examining the skin. For exact identification, the doctor will prepare a fungal culture and determine the type of fungus.
Should I go to the doctor for skin fungus?
If skin fungus is suspected, it makes sense to consult a doctor. The sooner the disease is treated, the easier it can heal. If it is diagnosed late, healing is much more difficult and takes longer. If the fungus is not treated or is treated too late, scars can remain. Above all, the doctor should be consulted if the infestation is in the hairy area. If there is fungus on the scalp or in the beard area, the hair often falls out. If the fungus is not treated in time, the hair will not grow back. If skin fungus occurs in babies and pregnant women, a doctor should definitely examine the patient.
How can you treat skin fungus?
Treatment is with antifungal drugs that successfully kill skin fungus. The exact dosage of these drugs depends on the type of skin fungus and the severity and body region of the infection. For superficial skin fungus, treatment with topically applied agents such as skin fungus cream is often possible. In the case of severe infections, it is often necessary to take tablets against skin fungus.
What remedies help against skin fungus?
A variety of locally applied creams and ointments against skin fungus are available over the counter in pharmacies. These contain various antimycotics to kill the fungus. The most common active ingredients are miconazole, terbinafine, amorolfine or clotrimazole. The ointments must be applied regularly to the affected areas. Especially in the case of skin fungus on the hand, make sure that the cream is absorbed first before continuing.
When are tablets necessary for skin fungus?
For some fungal diseases, the effect of ointments is not sufficient to fight the skin fungus adequately. In these cases, tablets must be taken orally. These products usually contain griseofulvin, terbinafine, itraconazole or fluconazole as active substances against the skin fungus. Treatment with tablets is necessary in the following cases:
- Deep-seated fungal infections such as nail fungus
- Fungal infections on hairy areas such as head fungus
- Skin fungus does not go away with cream
- Intolerance of the locally applied medication
What do I have to consider when treating skin fungus?
Whether tablets or ointment against skin fungus, attention must always be paid to the duration of use. Even if an infestation is no longer visible, the pathogens can still be dormant in the body. If the medication is discontinued too quickly, the fungus will spread again.
What home remedies help against skin fungus?
For skin fungus, home remedies can work in different ways. Some substances contain mild antimycotics and can inhibit the skin fungus and support healing with ointments. Since the home remedies do not penetrate the deep layers of the skin, they can be used to treat mainly superficial infections. Other home remedies support the healing of the skin and reduce symptoms such as [itching](). For fungal infections, the following are recommended:
\- Apple cider vinegar changes the pH value and thus kills fungal spores. Foot, hand or full baths can stop the spread of the disease.
\- Tea tree oil fights fungi on the skin through the essential oils it contains. Diluted with a neutral oil such as coconut or almond oil, it is applied to the affected areas. At the same time, it has an anti-inflammatory effect and thus avoids an additional infection with bacteria.
\- Hamamelis, also called witch hazel, contains many tannins. These cause the skin to contract and close small wounds. Pathogens can penetrate the skin less easily and cause infections. At the same time, witch hazel reduces itching and thus increases the quality of life of those affected.
How do I prevent skin fungus?
Skin fungus is contagious and requires lengthy treatment. Therefore, proper prevention of the infection is important. This means taking care of your own health and avoiding obesity and stress. Other measures are:
- Thorough drying after bathing or showering.
- Loose-fitting clothes made of breathable materials such as cotton reduce sweating
- Wear bathing shoes in public places like swimming pools
- Wash your hands regularly
What should I do if I have fungal skin infections in the family?
If a family member has been infected with skin fungus, you must be especially strict about hygiene. This includes:
- Each family member should use their own towels and cloths.
- All of the infected person's used products should be washed at least at 60 °C. If the temperature is lower, it is advisable to use a hygiene rinser for the laundry
- Walking barefoot in the home is not appropriate if you have athlete's foot or nail fungus
- Washable blankets can be used to cover sofas and chairs
- Disinfect shared hygiene articles, such as brushes.
- If a pet has become infected, avoid petting and cuddling it
- Infected people should change towels daily to avoid spreading the fungus to other areas.
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