General Information About Fungal Infections
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is an infection caused by microscopic organisms that settle in the skin, nails, or hair follicles and feed on the keratin protein in those areas.
It is most commonly seen between the toes (Tinea Pedis), in the groin (Tinea Cruris), in the nails (Onychomycosis), on the scalp, and in the vagina.
Sharing slippers, towels, nail clippers, walking barefoot around pools/Turkish baths, or contact with infected cats/dogs are the most common ways of transmission.
Severe itching in the affected area, skin peeling, scaling, ring-shaped redness, nail thickening, and yellow/brown discoloration in the nails.
Clinical observation by a dermatologist is usually sufficient. In suspicious cases, a scraping or nail clipping taken from the lesion is examined under a microscope (KOH test).
Superficial fungi on the skin clear up with 2-4 weeks of antifungal creams. However, nail and hair fungi are resistant to creams; they require months of oral antifungal pills (systemic treatment) and laser applications.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
