![]() Patients often complain of itching or flaking. People who have seborrheic dermatitis, dandruff, and hyperhidrosis seem to acquire the infection more than others, yet the factors promoting its growth are poorly understood. Pityriasis versicolor (skin infection ) usually thrives in warm and humid environments. ![]() Patients who use selenium or ketoconazole shampoo for the first 2 weeks are less likely to spread the infection to others. Terbinafine and fluconazole have largely displaced griseofulvin, the older drug of choice, because they are safe and effective and produce results faster. Topical agents cannot penetrate the hair shaft, necessitating oral treatment. Tinea capitis (scalp infection) attacks scalp, eyebrow, and eyelash hair follicles and is typically diagnosed in African American children aged 3 to 9 years. Extensive or severe infection, however, may require oral antifungals. 6,7 These 3 infections usually respond to topical treatment with terbinafine, butenafine, or luliconazole. Ringworm’s vectors are shared clothing and towels, direct contact with others who are infected, and companion animals. Tinea corporis (ringworm-a misnomer, it’s not a worm): highly contagious, ringworm forms on the trunk or extremities, and affects more women than men.Some clinicians counsel patients infected with athlete’s foot to put socks on before underwear to prevent the infection’s spread. It typically affects young males, although women can contract it, as well. Tinea cruris (jock itch): this infection frequently follows athlete’s foot and is characterized by burning, scaly, and itchy skin.Recurrence is common, even after prolonged treatment. Most patients can treat athlete’s foot successfully with an OTC topical antifungal, although severe cases require a prescription product. Risk factors include wearing athletic shoes that retain warmth and perspiration and using public athletic facilities. Tinea pedis (athlete’s foot): on any given day, 20% of Americans are infected (most of them are men). ![]() Three types of fungal infection are closely related: Candida infection often responds to nystatin. Candida fungi prefer moist areas, making Candida a common cause of diaper rash, rash in obese patients’ skin folds, and vaginal infections. Antibiotic use or immune system dysfunction creates opportunities for oral, digestive, or vaginal overgrowth. This article examines the most common fungal skin infections 3 (Online Table 4-6).Ĭandida yeasts grow on the skin’s surface. Some fungi are yeast-like, causing infections such as candidiasis, while others are mold-like, causing tinea infections. Fungi need warmth and moisture, making sweaty feet, skin folds, and mucous membranes attractive. The approximately 300 fungi that cause disease in humans are primarily dermatophytes-they infect our outer skin-and they are classified by the area they infect. Mammals’ high body temperatures compared with ambient temperatures endow them with protective endothermy (inhospitable temperature for fungal growth) against fungi that enter the body. Most fungi thrive at temperatures between 53.6☏ and 86☏ (12☌-30☌). 1,2įungi were originally classified as plants-think, grocery-store mushrooms- and many people are unaware that these chlorophyll- and cell wall-deficient organisms are not plant species. The health care community began to shine the spotlight on fungal infections in the late 20th century: at that time, the spread of HIV created large populations of immunologically impaired people with heightened susceptibility to raging, potentially lifethreatening fungal infections. There are roughly 1.5 million different species of fungi, a handful of which are responsible for the majority of unsightly, often embarrassing skin infections. Fungal infections are common but tend to resolve completely with treatment.įungi are ubiquitous and present in all environmental niches (eg, soil, plants, trees, indoor surfaces, human skin).
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