Skin Infections—Fungal Infections

Also called: Mycoses

If you have ever had athlete’s foot or a yeast infection, you can blame a fungus. A fungus is a primitive organism. Mushrooms, mold and mildew are examples. Fungi live in air, in soil, on plants and in water. Some live in the human body. Only about half of all types of fungi are harmful.

Some fungi reproduce through tiny spores in the air. You can inhale the spores or they can land on you. As a result, fungal infections often start in the lungs or on the skin. You are more likely to get a fungal infection if you have a weakened immune system or take antibiotics.

Fungi can be difficult to kill. For skin and nail infections, you can apply medicine directly to the infected area. Oral antifungal medicines are also available for serious infections.

NIH: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

• Blastomycosis (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Cryptococcosis (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Fungal nail infection (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Mucormycosis (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Sputum fungal smear (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Tinea versicolor (Medical Encyclopedia)

Your skin helps protect you from germs, but sometimes it can get infected by them. Some common types of skin infections are

• Bacterial: Cellulitis and impetigo. Staphylococcal infections can also affect the skin.
• Viral: Shingles, warts, and herpes simplex
• Fungal: Athlete’s foot and yeast infections
• Parasitic: Body lice, head lice, and scabies

Treatment of skin infections depends on the cause.

• Blastomycosis (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Boils (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Candida infection of the skin (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Carbuncle (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Donovanosis (granuloma inguinale) (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Ecthyma (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Erysipelas (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Molluscum contagiosum (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Necrotizing soft tissue infection (Medical Encyclopedia)