Fungal Infections: Protect Your Health | Fungal Diseases

Here are 10 questions you can use to understand fungal infections and know what you need to do to stay healthy.

Fungi are everywhere. Sometimes, they are too small to see with the naked eye. Fungi can live outdoors in soil and on plants, indoors on surfaces and in the air, and on people’s skin and inside the body. There are millions of fungal species, but only a few hundred of them can make people sick.

Mild fungal skin infections can look like a rash and are very common. For example, ringworm is a skin infection caused by a fungus—not a worm. Fungal infections in the lungs can be more serious and often cause symptoms that are similar to other illnesses, such as bacterial pneumonia or tuberculosis. Finding the correct diagnosis can be difficult and cause delays in getting the right treatment. Fungal infections like meningitis and bloodstream infections are less common than skin and lung infections but can be life-threatening.

The more you know about fungal infections and your chances of getting one, the better you can protect your health.

Find Out If You’re At Risk Of Getting A Fungal Infection

1. Where do you live and travel? Fungi that can cause infections are more common in some parts of the United States and world. For example, in the United States, the fungus that causes Valley fever is found mainly in the Southwest and parts of the Pacific Northwest. Histoplasmosis and blastomycosis occur most often in the eastern United States.
2. What types of activities are you doing? Harmful fungi can be found in air, dust, and soil. You could inhale fungi during activities like digging, gardening, cleaning chicken coops, and visiting caves. Histoplasma grows especially well in soil that contains bird or bat droppings.
3. Do you have a dog or cat? People can get some fungal infections from their pets, including ringworm, which causes skin rashes. In South America, people can get infections from a fungus called Sporothrix brasiliensis from cats, and this fungus might arrive in the United States. If you think your pet might be sick, talk to your veterinarian.
4. Have you recently taken antibiotics? Antibiotics can make women more likely to get a vaginal yeast infection, also known as vulvovaginal candidiasis. Women who are pregnant or those who have weakened immune systems also are more likely to get this condition. Men also can get genital candidiasis.
5. Are you taking any medicine that affects your immune system? Medicine that weakens your immune system, like steroids, biologics, or chemotherapy, may increase the chance of getting a fungal infection.
6. Are you receiving chemotherapy or radiation treatments? Cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy and radiation, weakens your immune system. These treatments may increase the chance you will get a fungal infection.
7. Are you living with HIV? People living with HIV (particularly those with CD4 counts less than 200) may be more likely to get fungal infections. Two well-known fungal infections associated with HIV in the United States are oral candidiasis (thrush) and Pneumocystis pneumonia. Worldwide, cryptococcal meningitis and histoplasmosis are major causes of illness in people living with HIV.
8. Are you going to be hospitalized? In the United States, one of the most common bloodstream infections acquired in the hospital is caused by a fungus called Candida. Candida normally lives in the gastrointestinal tract and on skin without causing any problems, but it can enter the bloodstream and cause infection. A type of Candida called Candida auris is often resistant to antifungal medicines and can spread between patients in healthcare settings.
9. Have you recently had a transplant? People who recently had an organ transplant or a stem cell transplant have weakened immune systems. That means they have a greater chance of developing a fungal infection. Doctors prescribe antifungal medicine for some transplant patients to prevent fungal infections.
10. Do you have symptoms of pneumonia that are not getting better with antibiotics? Fungal infections, especially lung infections like Valley fever, histoplasmosis, and blastomycosis, can have similar symptoms as bacterial infections. However, antibiotics don’t work for fungal infections. Early testing for fungal infections reduces unnecessary antibiotic use and allows people to start treatment with antifungal medicine, if necessary.

Anyone can get a fungal infection, even people who are otherwise healthy. People breathe in or come in contact with fungal spores every day without getting sick. However, in people with weakened immune systems, these fungi are more likely to cause an infection. To learn more about the signs, symptoms, and treatment of fungal infections and get prevention tips, visit CDC’s fungal diseases website and talk with your healthcare provider.

Bacterial & Fungal Skin Infections in Dogs

Bacterial and fungal infections can have your dog feeling itchy, with skin that appears flaky, crusty or moist. Redness, inflammation and odor may also be a problem, not to mention recurring health concerns when it comes to yeast dermatitis or staph infection.

Skin problems are fairly common for dogs and can indicate underlying health issues. In this post, our Greensboro vets offer some advice about what to do if your dog’s licking, scratching or other symptoms of skin disease are making him – and you – uncomfortable.

Yeast Dermatitis

Also referred to as Malassezia dermatitis, yeast dermatitis is an extremely common cause of skin disease in dogs. Though the fungus Malassezia pachydermatis is normally found on the skin, if it grows excessively, it can lead to dermatitis (skin inflammation).

Staphylococcal Infection (staph infection)

The most common bacterial skin infection that appears in dogs, staph infection is caused by the bacterium Staphylococcus sp. And is a zoonotic risk, which means dogs and humans can transmit the infection between each other, making good hygiene and early treatment a high priority.

This type of infection may impact a dog’s skin or upper respiratory tract, and can be treated using oral antibiotics such as cephalexin, erythromycin or clindamycin. Antibiotic ointments and shampoos can also work.

Symptoms of Fungal & Bacterial Skin Infection in Dogs

Fungal Infection (Yeast Dermatitis)

The most common clinical signs of yeast dermatitis include:

• Thickened skin or “elephant skin”
• Flaky, crusty or scaly skin
• Redness and itchiness
• Musty odor
• Recurrent or chronic ear infections (otitis externa)
• Hyperpigmentation

Staph Infection

The most common clinical signs of staph infection are:

• Excessive itching, licking or chewing
• Eye, ears, skin or respiratory system infections
• Patchy fur with peeling, crusty skin, or moist skin
• Inflamed or red skin
• Pain
• Pus-filled lesions on the skin

Causes of Bacterial & Fungal Skin Infections in Dogs

Many bacteria and fungi live on the skin but are controlled by the immune system and do not cause issues under normal circumstances. But, if skin conditions change or the immune system becomes suppressed, bacterial and fungal infections can result.

Immune deficiencies or an increase in the amount of oils produced on the skin are common causes of yeast infections. While yeast infections are not contagious, they will often recur unless the underlying skin condition or allergy is addressed.

Certain breeds may be genetically predisposed to yeast infections, such as the Lhasa Apso, Poodle, Dachshund, Shetland Sheepdog, West Highland White Terrier, Maltese Terrier, Cocker Spaniel, Basset hound, Australian Terrier, Silky Terrier, and Chihuahua.

When it comes to staph infections, skin can become irritated when a dog excessively scratches, chews or licks. If your dog has an allergy to medications, food or environmental factors, or fleas, you may start to notice these behaviors.

Some chronic debilitating diseases, allergies, fungal infections of the blood and other secondary infections may cause staph infections. Any age or breed of dog can be afflicted, but older dogs are more susceptible due to their weakened immune systems.

Diagnosis of Fungal Dermatitis & Bacterial Skin Infections in Dogs

Our vets at Guilford-Jamestown Animal Hospital are trained in dermatological veterinary medicine. We treat a wide variety of skin, eye, ear, and nail conditions in pets. We use several techniques to collect samples and diagnose yeast dermatitis, including:

• Impression smear
• Skin biopsy
• Skin scraping
• Acetate tape preparations
• Cotton swab sample

For a staph infection, your pet will need a complete physical examination, and your veterinarian may perform a complete blood count, biochemistry profile, and urinalysis, in addition to thoroughly reviewing your pet’s medical history and asking questions such as when you began to notice symptoms.

Skin tests may also be done to find out whether the inflammation is caused by immune-related issues or an allergic reaction. A skin biopsy may be required, during which your veterinarian will swab the skin to determine which antibiotic should be used to treat the condition.

At our in-house lab, we can perform tests and get results quickly with our advanced imaging and testing equipment.

Treatment of Fungal Dermatitis & Staph Infection in Dogs

Yeast dermatitis infections can be treated with oral or topical treatments, or a combination of both based on the severity of your dog’s condition. These medications are highly effective, though they must be given for a prolonged period (often several months).

These drugs can have potential side effects on the liver that will require close monitoring with routine blood tests.

Staph infections are typically treated with oral antibiotics. Antibacterial shampoo or topical ointments can be used for these types of skin conditions. Depending on the severity of the infection, treatment may take several weeks to have an effect.

Because staph infections can be passed between dogs and from dogs to humans, extra care should be taken when handling and treating your dog.

Discuss any supplements or medications your dog is currently taking with your veterinarian so he or she can choose the best treatment for your pet’s individual circumstances while helping to reduce the risk of a potential interaction between drugs.

Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet’s condition, please make an appointment with your vet.

Is your dog showing signs of a bacterial or fungal skin infection? Contact our Greensboro vets right away to schedule an appointment for testing. Our vets are experienced in diagnosing a number of conditions and illnesses.

How to identify skin fungus | Directory of medical laboratory Optimum (Sochi, Adler)

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Skin fungus is a pathology that may be accompanied by the appearance of abscesses, severe peeling. It is also characterized by irritation of the epidermis.

Causes of development

A room in which elementary cleanliness is not maintained can become a favorable environment for the reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms. The likelihood of skin fungus increases under the influence of the following factors:

• prolonged fasting;
• severe fatigue;
• chronic pathologies of the nervous system;
• long-term use of antibiotics;
• excessive sweating;
• presence of helminthic infestation;
• unfavorable ecological situation in the region;
• administration of chemotherapy.

Symptoms of fungus

In the presence of skin fungus , the following symptoms may occur:

• burning sensation;
• intense itching;
• feeling of peeling;
• dandruff and excessive dryness of the hair (in case of scalp involvement).

Diagnostic methods

When the first symptoms of diseases appear, it is recommended to visit a dermatologist’s office. In some cases, the patient needs to consult an endocrinologist or an infectious disease specialist. A complete diagnosis of the disease helps to determine the methods of treatment of the disease. According to the signs, the skin fungus is similar to polymorphic photodermatosis, nummular eczema.

The main diagnostic measures include:

• visual examination of the patient;
• performing a biochemical blood test;
• performing an iodine test;
• Wood’s lamp application.

Visual inspection reveals the extent of the lesion. The specialist determines which areas of the skin are affected by the fungus.

To detect mycoses that affect the skin, enzyme immunoassay . Such a diagnostic procedure is performed when it is impossible to take a tissue biopsy for further study. This technique is based on the search for antibody titer to a particular type of fungal disease.

The Wood lamp uses a special ultraviolet light spectrum to perform an examination. Luminescence allows you to detect a fungal infection of the skin.

Treatment

Treatment of skin fungus involves:

• the use of drugs from the group of glucocorticosteroids;
• use of systemic drugs whose active ingredients are fluconazole or ketoconazole;
• use of drugs belonging to the group of immunomodulators;
• conducting physiotherapy sessions;
• use of drugs with antibacterial effect;
• taking multivitamin complexes.

In the presence of skin fungus , various ointments are used. Preparations made on the basis of undecylenic acid are distinguished by pronounced antiseptic and fungistatic properties.

Broad-spectrum drugs made in the form of tablets help fight even advanced forms of the disease. The maximum course duration is 2 months.

symptoms and varieties – Medical laboratory IMD

Fungus (mycosis) of the skin – a group of diseases that affect the skin and its appendages (sweat and sebaceous glands, hair and nails) with a fungal infection. The fungus is common among all age groups and can appear anywhere on the body.

Micro fungi are live microorganisms that are widely distributed in the environment and in the human body (skin, mucous membrane, mouth, intestines and genitals). In most cases, they coexist in harmony with the local bacterial flora, preventing its overgrowth. But when conditions change (increase in temperature and humidity, lack or excessive hygiene), a decrease in the protective functions of the body, the balance is disturbed, and the fungi move from the category of “opportunistic” to “pathogenic”, affecting the skin and its appendages.

Skin fungus: symptoms and types

There are various forms of skin mycosis depending on the affected part of the skin: smooth skin, skin folds, mucous membranes, nails and hair.

Pityriasis multicolor ( Pityriasis versicolor ) is a skin disease from the group of keratomycosis. The causative agents of multi-colored lichen are yeast fungi of the genus Malassezia .

The fungus often affects children and adolescents. Pitiriasis is characterized by the appearance of spots on the trunk, neck and shoulders pink , lighter than healthy skin. These spots are especially noticeable in summer, because they are devoid of melanin. On very white skin, the patches are often slightly darker (pink or light brown) than normal skin. Lichen versicolor is benign and is not considered contagious.

Mycosis of the “large folds” or inguinal dermatophytosis is located in the folds of the groin, between the buttocks, under the armpits, under the breasts in women.

Signs of skin fungus in the crease area include:

• pink spots in the form of a ring with clear boundaries and slight peeling in the area of ​​the folds;
• symmetrical arrangement of spots;
• the presence of an edematous roller along the periphery;
• blistering, weeping, erosion and cracking;
• constant itching, burning, soreness. In women, dermatophytosis of the folds is more common under the breasts, in men – in the groin area.

Foot fungus, also known as Athlete’s foot “, is the most common fungal infection in adolescents and adults, but is much less common in young children. The infection is caused by dermatophyte fungi. The infection appears between the toes and, as a rule, begins with 4-5 toes, and can spread to the sole or even the back of the foot.

The disease is often accompanied by a fungal infection of the nails (onychomycosis), which must be treated at the same time. “Athlete’s foot” is characterized by the appearance of hyperemic areas between the toes, on the back of the foot, as well as cracks in the interdigital spaces. These lesions cause severe itching and pain.
The fungus of the skin of the hands is identical to the fungal infection of the feet, but is less common and mainly affects professions for which it is necessary to frequently use rubber gloves for a long time.

Candidiasis is an infectious disease of the skin, mucous membranes and internal organs caused by fungi of the genus Candida .
Mycosis affects the mucous membranes of the mouth, esophagus and vagina, as well as the tongue and the inside of the cheeks. The disease is common in all age groups, but more often affects children or people who have been treated with antibiotics, in the people these symptoms are called “ thrush “. Candidiasis is manifested by milky white spots on the tongue, inside the cheeks, on the gums and on the palate, as well as painful cracks in the corners of the mouth.

On the skin, the fungus manifests itself as rashes in the form of vesicles with erosive areas of crimson color and excruciating itching.

Ways of skin fungus infection

Today we know that there is a genetic susceptibility to chronic or recurrent forms

People with diabetes or immunodeficiency conditions are more susceptible to infection. 0003

Some medications can also trigger fungal infections, such as antibiotics and corticosteroids.

It should be remembered that during pregnancy and the first months of life, the skin is very vulnerable to fungal infections.

The main environmental factors that contribute to the development of fungal infections of the skin include damp heat and excessive sweating, wearing closed shoes made of non-natural materials, or frequent use of rubber gloves.

Of course, extreme care must be taken when coming into direct contact with potentially infectious surfaces or objects, such as gym floors, showers or swimming pools, hotel carpets, wooden counters, saunas. In this case, the risk of infection with the fungus will be quite high.

Fungus on the skin: laboratory diagnosis

Diagnosis is made by a dermatologist on the basis of

1) examination of the patient:

• – the presence of clinical manifestations,
• – examination of the affected area under a Wood’s fluorescent lamp, with a characteristic yellow or brown glow,
• – samples with iodine.

2) based on the results of laboratory diagnostics:

• – microscopic examination: detection of the pathogen in a skin scraping under a light and fluorescent microscope. Fluorescent microscopy excludes artifacts and therefore false positive results.
• – cultural studies (inoculation): identification of the type of pathogen and selection of an effective antifungal agent.

In our laboratory you can be tested for skin fungus to confirm the diagnosis.

Skin fungus: treatment and prevention

Treatment of skin fungus depends on the type of pathogen and the prevalence of the process. In mild cases, external antimycotic agents are used in the form of a cream, spray or ointment.

If external therapy is ineffective, systemic antimycotics are prescribed: itraconazole 200 mg per day for 7 days, then 100 mg for 1-2 weeks; terbinafine 250 mg once a day daily for 3-4 weeks or fluconazole 150 mg once a week for at least 4 weeks.