Fungal Infections

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Overview

Fungal infections or mycosis is a skin disease caused by different species of the fungus. A fungal skin infection can be found anywhere on the body. The fungi are present everywhere in the environment and are known to infect humans, animals, and plants. Fungal infections are seen in different forms such as mild, superficial conditions, such as athlete’s foot or ringworm and serious infections that can even affect the internal organs. Fungi usually targets skin, hairs, nails, mucous membranes, lungs and other parts of the body. There are several risk factors that make you more prone to catching fungal infections such as a weakened immune system. If you catch a fungal infection it is important to seek medical advice and get highly effective fungal medicines.

Causes and Risk Factors

Fungal infections are caused by hundreds and millions of fungi present in the environment. However, some people are more susceptible to catching than others due to various risk factors. Most people get exposed to fungi without any adverse reaction while others may develop extreme reactions. This difference of reaction is due to several risk factors affecting the fungal infection. Read the risk factors below to get more information about the fungal infections:
Weak Immune System : Our immune system guard us against the foreign antigens and kill them immediately. However, a weak immune system can allow these antigens or fungi to rapidly grow inside our body and cause fungal infections.
Poor Hygiene : Fungal infections are mostly found in places on the body that trap moisture or have a lot of friction. Poor hygiene and not keeping the skin clean and dry especially, in the skin folds can make you more proen to catching fungal infections.
Excessive Use of Antibiotics : Frequent intake of antibiotics can disrupt your microbiome and make it easier for your body to get infected from the fungal infections.
Exposure to Infected Animals : Many animals are usually infected with fungal infections and are a host to many fungi species. If you get in contact with infected animals there are chances you may catch fungal infections.

Candidiasis

A fungal infection caused by a yeast (a type of fungus) called Candida. The fungus is usually found on skin and inside the body

Candidemia

Candida can also cause bloodstream infection known as Candidemia. It is mostly seen in people with weak immune systems.

PCP

PCP is mostly found in the people with weak immune systems such as people with HIV/AIDS. This fungal infection affect the lungs.

Onycho-
mycosis

It is a fungal infection of the nails, affecting the toenails or fingernails and may involve any part of the nail unit.

Athlete’s foot

A fungal infection found between the toes. It causes an itchy, stinging, burning rash on the skin

Ringworm

A contagious fungal infections caused by the common mold like parasites that live on the outer layer of your skin.

Types of Fungal Infections

There are different type of fungal infections that are caused by millions of different fungi pores. These fungi can infect any part of the body leading to different types of fungal infections. Some of the commonly seen fungal infections seen in people are:
Candidiasis: A fungal infection caused by a yeast (a type of fungus) called Candida. The fungus is usually found on skin and inside the body, such as the mouth, throat, gut, and vagina. It can cause oral thrush and vaginal yeast infections.
Candidemia: Candida can also cause bloodstream infection known as Candidemia. It is mostly seen in people with weak immune systems.
Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP): It is a serious infection caused by the fungus Pneumocystis jirovecii. PCP is mostly found in the people with weak immune systems such as people with HIV/AIDS. This fungal infection affect the lungs.
Onychomycosis: It is a fungal infection of the nails, affecting the toenails or fingernails and may involve any part of the nail unit. It’s also known as tinea unguium. It is caused by Dermatophytes, Candida species, and Nondermatophytic molds.
Athlete’s foot : A fungal infection found between the toes. It causes an itchy, stinging, burning rash on the skin on one or both of your feet.
Ringworm : A contagious fungal infections caused by the common mold like parasites that live on the outer layer of your skin. It can spread by direct skin-to-skin contact with the infected person.