There are thousands of species of fungi, there are only a few that can cause disease or discomfort in people.
Sign and Symptoms
The symptoms of a fungal infection will depend on the type, but common symptoms include the following:
· skin changes, including red and possibly cracking or peeling skin
· itching
Common fungal infections
Superficial fungal infections are much more common.
1. Athlete's Foot (Tinea Pedis) is a fungal infection of the feet with itching, scaling and redness. It can be caused by a number of different fungi, including Trichophyton, Epidermophyton and Microsporum.
2. Ringworm (Tinea Corporis) can appear in the form of a red or silver rash anywhere on the body. It is usually ring-shaped and is most commonly caused by the fungus Trichophyton rubrum.
3. Tinea Capitis is ringworm that affects the scalp
4. Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the toenails or fingernails that can involve any component of the nail, including the matrix, bed or plate. It can cause pain, discomfort and disfigurement. Onychomycosis is caused by various fungal organisms, the most common being dermatophyte. Yeast and moulds also cause nail infections
5. Tinea versicolor or pityriasis versicolor is a common condition that causes small patches of skin to become scaly and discoloured. They can be darker or lighter than the surrounding skin, or even red or pink. The condition is caused by yeast called Malassezia, which lives on the skin of most people without causing any problems.
6. Cutaneous Candidiasis can involve almost any skin area of the body, but mostly occurs in warm, moist, creased areas such as the armpits and groin. Candida is the most common cause of nappy rash in infants
Diagnosis
A well qualified doctor will diagnose from clinical examination of skin.