Pictures of Fungal Skin Infections

Medically Reviewed by Debra Jaliman, MD on August 20, 2022

Fungal skin infections can be itchy and annoying, but they’re rarely serious. Common infections such as athlete’s foot, jock itch, and ringworm are caused by fungus and are easy to get and to pass around. In healthy people, they usually don’t spread beyond the skin’s surface, so they’re easy to treat. If you spend a lot of time at the gym, take steps to protect yourself against fungal infections.

Ringworm isn’t caused by worms. This raised, red, circular, itchy fungal infection can occur on the body or scalp. You’re at greater risk if you come in contact with a pet or person with ringworm or with contaminated items. Prevent it by keeping your body clean and dry. It’s easily spread, so don’t share towels, combs, or other personal items.

Itchy, burning, cracked, and peeling feet? Athlete’s foot is a form of ringworm that usually develops between the toes. It can spread via wet locker room floors and contaminated towels and shoes. Prevent it by wearing shower shoes at the gym, washing your feet daily, drying them well, and wearing clean socks.

A raised, itchy, red rash around your groin means you probably have jock itch, which can affect men and women. It’s another type of ringworm, and it can be caused by sweating and the humid environment often created by athletic gear. You can prevent it by keeping your groin clean and dry, changing into dry, clean clothes and underwear every day, and avoiding tight clothing.

Brittle, discolored, thick nails may mean you have nail fungus. It can affect fingernails or toenails. Prevent nail fungus by keeping hands and feet clean and dry, wearing dry socks and changing them often, wearing shoes in a public shower, pool, or locker room, and not scratching infected skin, such as athlete’s foot. Wear wide-toed shoes (so toes aren’t crammed together), and don’t share nail clippers.

Change out of your gym clothes right after a workout. Sweaty gear provides a perfect home for fungi and other germs to thrive and grow. Wash exercise clothes after each use. Wear clean clothes before each workout.

To prevent fungal infections from taking a foothold at home, your best defense is to keep skin clean and dry. Change underwear and socks daily. Let your sneakers air out and wash them regularly. Take your shoes off at home to expose your feet to the air.

To fight fungal infections at the gym, wear shower shoes in the locker room and avoid sitting on wet benches. Don’t share workout mats or towels. Wash your hands before and after a workout, and don’t forget to wipe down gym equipment before and after using it.

Despite your best efforts at prevention, you think you have a fungal infection. Now what? First, talk to your doctor. Other skin problems can look a lot like fungal infections, but require different treatment. For mild infections, topical medication may be all you need. Stubborn infections could require oral prescription drugs.

Fungal skin and nail infections may look bad, but they rarely lead to more than itching and irritation. Still, if you’re worried about your jock itch, athlete’s foot, or any rash, talk to your health care provider.

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

1)   Comstock
2)   Copyright © 2011 Dr. H.C. Robinson / Photo Researchers, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
3)   Copyright © 2011 SPL / Photo Researchers, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
4)   Copyright © 2011 Dr. Harout Tanielian / Photo Researchers, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
5)   Copyright © 2011 Dr. P. Marazzi / Photo Researchers, Inc. All Rights Reserved
6)   Andrew Olney / Photodisc
7)   Helena Wahlman / Maskot
8)   Sanna Lindberg / PhotoAlto Agency RF Collections
9)   ALLESALLTAG BILDAGENT
10)   Terje Rakke / The Image Bank

SOURCES:

American Academy of Family Physicians: “Tinea Infections: Athlete’s Foot, Jock Itch and Ringworm,” “Fungal Infections of Fingernails and Toenails.”

CDC: “Lurking in the Locker Room. “

KidsHealth: “Fungal Infections,” “Jock Itch.”

National Institutes of Health: “Athlete’s Foot.”

PubMed Health: “Ringworm.”

Simmons College: “Gym Hygiene: How to Reduce the Risk of Infections in the Gym.”

University of California, Davis: “Nail Fungal Infections.”

University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas: “Health Watch – Toxic Gym Clothes.”

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Skin infection pictures and treatments

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A skin infection occurs when parasites, fungi, or germs such as bacteria penetrate the skin and spread. When this happens, it can cause pain, swelling, and skin color changes.

Skin infections are different from rashes. A rash is an area of swollen or irritated skin. While rashes can be symptoms of some skin infections, a person with a rash does not necessarily have an infection.

There are four types of skin infection:

• bacterial
• viral
• fungal
• parasitic

Some skin infections require medical treatment. People can manage others with over-the-counter (OTC) solutions or home remedies. Read on to learn more about common skin infections.

This common bacterial skin infection occurs when bacteria infect the deep layers of skin and nearby tissues.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, doctors diagnose 14.5 million cases of cellulitis in the United States each year.

Cellulitis can lead to serious complications, and receiving early treatment is important.

Symptoms

Before causing complications, cellulitis appears as swelling that is a different color from a person’s usual skin tone. The area is sometimes warm and tender to the touch.

Cellulitis can develop anywhere on the body. In children, it commonly affects the face, and in adults, it often appears on the lower legs.

Treatment

Early treatment is key to a successful outcome. If a person does not receive treatment, cellulitis can lead to blood infections and can damage the immune system.

The most common treatment is oral antibiotics. Some people may need to take this medication intravenously.

A person should also rest, elevate the affected area, and cover the area to aid healing.

What it looks like

Cellulitis causes the affected area to swell and change color. On lighter skin, cellulitis may appear red or pink, while on darker skin tones, it may appear purple, brown, or darker than the surrounding area.

Other skin changes may not be well defined, and it may be difficult to tell where they end. The area will likely be hard and warm to the touch.

Warts are noncancerous skin growths that occur when a virus infects the top layer of skin.

Warts are contagious. A person can contract them by touching a wart directly or by coming into contact with something the wart has touched.

Symptoms

Warts are usually visible as raised areas of skin, but they can also be darker and flat. They are more likely to form in places where skin damage occurs, such as on the fingers, nails, and backs of the hands.

Treatment

A dermatologist can usually remove common warts. Typical techniques include:

• cantharidin, a substance that causes a blister to form under the wart so the dermatologist can clip it off
• electrosurgery, or burning off the wart
• excision, or cutting the wart off
• cryotherapy, or freezing the wart off

The herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is responsible for causing a herpes gladiatorum infection on the skin.

In 2016, HSV-1 was present in an estimated 66.6% of the world’s population under 50 years old.

Though a person can treat an outbreak of herpes, the virus always remains, which means symptoms can return at any time. The virus is also highly contagious, and a person can transmit it any time it is active, even if no symptoms are present.

Symptoms

When herpes gladiatorum flares, it can cause:

• swollen lymph nodes
• fever
• a tingling sensation in the affected area
• fluid-filled blisters that last between 4–11 days
• patches of discolored skin

Treatment

Some cases of herpes require no treatment. But a person with an active infection should avoid activities that put them in direct contact with others, such as contact sports and intercourse.

For people with moderate to severe infections, a doctor may prescribe an antiviral medication.

A yeast infection develops when fungus grows out of control. Yeast infections can occur across the body but are more common in skin folds, such as the armpits, or on parts of the body that clothes often cover, such as the feet.

Yeast infections are also common in other areas that trap moisture, such as the vagina and mouth.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of a yeast infection are the formation of a rash and localized itchiness. Some yeast infections can cause blisters or pustules.

Yeast infections appear differently in different areas of the body. For example, a diaper rash that results from a yeast infection may appear as areas of chafed, differently colored skin and not feature any blisters.

Treatment

A person may be able to treat a yeast infection with OTC creams and ointments. Some yeast infections on the skin may require prescription medication and creams.

Anyone with a yeast infection on the skin should keep the area as clean and dry as possible while the infection resolves.

A range of creams for treating yeast infections is available for purchase online.

Lice are tiny insects that live in hair and cause a parasitic infection of the scalp. They exist worldwide and can affect anyone. Contrary to popular belief, lice can live in any type of hair, regardless of how often a person washes it.

Lice spread easily, especially in crowded conditions such as schools and nursing homes. Though a nuisance, lice do not cause serious health issues.

Symptoms

As with many other types of skin infection, itchiness is the most common symptom of lice. This typically develops around the ears and near the neck.

It can take 4–6 weeks for a person to become sensitive to lice saliva and for the itchiness to start. Even after treatment, several weeks may pass before this feeling goes away.

A person may also be able to see lice in their hair. Nits, or eggs, are small and found at the base of hairs. As a result, a person may initially confuse nits with dandruff.

When the eggs hatch, the lice are called nymphs. In this stage, a person may notice small, fast-moving mites on their scalp. Adult lice are about the size of sesame seeds, and are light gray or tan.

Treatment

A person can treat lice at home, but should speak with a doctor before doing so.

Treatment typically involves combing the lice and their eggs out of the hair and applying medication that kills the lice and their eggs.

A range of lice combs is available to purchase online.

Scabies is another parasitic skin infection. When a person has scabies, mites burrow into the upper layer of skin to lay their eggs. This causes infection and irritation.

Scabies spreads through prolonged skin-to-skin contact. People living in crowded conditions, such as nursing homes, are most likely to experience outbreaks.

Symptoms

Scabies causes a pimple-like rash that may contain small blisters and areas of scaling. These rashes may appear red or pink on light skin, and brown or black on darker skin.

Additionally, a person with scabies may notice burrows in the skin, and small sores and scales. These skin complaints may cause irritation and feel itchy.

Rashes from scabies can appear nearly anywhere on the body. Some of the most common sites include the:

• elbows
• armpits
• wrists
• penis
• webbing between the fingers
• nipples
• waist or beltline
• buttocks

Treatment

Scabies treatment involves medications called scabicides. These kill adult mites, and some also kill the eggs. Tested and approved scabicides are only available on prescription.

Since scabies can spread quickly within households and other indoor settings, close contacts of a person with scabies may also require medication.

A person should seek medical advice anytime an unexplained, persistent rash appears on their body.

It is especially important to contact a doctor if the rash occurs alongside a fever or symptoms other than itchiness or pain. Many skin infections require prescription medication or other forms of treatment.

Since many skin infections are easy to contract, people should use caution in public areas.

For example, wearing shoes in public bathrooms and showers can help prevent athlete’s foot, which is a common fungal infection. Avoiding physical contact with people who have scabies or an active herpes infection can help prevent exposure.

People with skin infections should take precautions and avoid physical contact until symptoms are gone or their doctor clears them to do so.

Skin infections are a common occurrence worldwide. These infections can spread easily through physical contact and can affect almost anyone.

Most infections present as rashes or small growths and typically cause irritation and itchiness. Affected areas of skin may appear pink or red on people with light skin, or as brown and black on people with darker skin.

If an unexplained rash appears, seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Dermatomycosis: causes, symptoms, treatment – Lifehacker

Likbez

Health

June 23, 2020

Sometimes you have to fight this infection all your life.

What is a skin fungus

This is the name of a fungal infection that affects the skin – ringworm.

This is one of the most common skin diseases. According to some reports, at least 7 out of 10 people experience ringworm at some point in their lives.

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Where does skin fungus come from

There are millions of species of fungi in the world. Approximately 300 of them are able to attack the human body, that is, multiply on it and inside it. Everything would be fine, but every fungus in the process of life releases a number of chemicals. They, in turn, cause inflammation of the organ or tissue where the fungal colony could catch on.

Anyone can pick up a fungus. But people with weakened immune systems and those taking antibiotics are more at risk.

Fungal infections can affect the lungs, digestive organs, brain, and the consequences of such inflammations are extremely serious, even fatal.

Against this background, the skin fungus looks harmless: it is unpleasant in appearance, but not fatal. It is caused by dermatophyte fungi. Most often they can be picked up like this:

• By touching an infected person or animal (dog, cat, guinea pig, cattle).
• Contact with soil contaminated with spores of skin-threatening fungi. You may have been walking around in open sandals on dusty paths all day.
• Contact with fungus-infected objects. These can be towels, bed linen, clothes, shoes, toiletries used by an infected person.

Since dermatophytes like warm and humid environments, skin fungus often appears in “sweaty” places with insufficient ventilation: armpits, groin, skin folds, on the feet. But other parts of the body can also be affected.

How to recognize ringworm

Skin fungus has characteristic symptoms. The epidermis on the affected area:

• changes color – turns red or discolors, becomes pale, almost white;
• itchy and itchy areas are usually rounded;
• covered in small rashes, fluid-filled blisters may appear;
• peeling off;
• sometimes swollen;
• partially loses hair.

Symptoms may vary slightly depending on the type of fungus.

Skin fungus

There are many types of ringworm. Here are the most common ones.

Athlete’s foot

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This is the name of a foot fungus that develops easily in warm, humid conditions. You run the risk of getting an athlete’s foot if you wear tight, breathable shoes, rarely change socks, use public showers and pools.

Nail fungus (onychomycosis)

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Damage to the nail plate also belongs to dermatomycosis, since it is caused by the same types of fungi. The nail with onychomycosis becomes yellow, brown or white. The structure also changes: the nail plate coarsens, thickens, but at the same time exfoliates and easily breaks off.

Ringworm

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This type of fungal infection can be recognized by round, scaly patches of red or very light color. Ringworm appears on any part of the body, but it owes its name to the love of the scalp. The fungus makes the hair brittle, it breaks off easily, and it looks like the lichen “cuts” them.

Ringworm in the groin

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Its characteristic symptoms are areas of irritated, itchy, sometimes flaky skin in the groin area and inner thighs. This type of fungal infection is more common in men and teenage boys, but women are not immune from it either.

Ringworm in the groin may worsen after exercise. Sometimes it also extends to the buttocks and abdomen.

Pityriasis versicolor (pityriasis)

See how versicolor versicolor looks like

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In this type of dermatomycosis, many small, oval spots with clear boundaries appear on the skin. At first they are pink, and then change color to brown or white. Most often, such itchy spots occur on the back, chest and forearms.

Skin candidiasis

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It is caused by the same fungus that causes thrush in women – Candida. On the affected areas, irritation, itching, and sometimes small blisters occur.

As a rule, Candida fungi multiply where the skin is poorly ventilated and often damp: under the breasts, in the folds of the buttocks, under the armpits, and in other folds of the body.

How to treat ringworm

Pharmacies sell many over-the-counter antifungal drugs that are applied directly to the affected area of ​​​​the skin: cream, ointment, lotion, spray, shampoo (if we are talking about the scalp). But in order for the drug to be as effective as possible in your case, it is better to buy it after consulting a dermatologist.

Also pay special attention to hygiene. Make sure that the skin is clean, well ventilated, do not allow moisture to stagnate: dry yourself thoroughly after bathing, use antiperspirants, change clothes as soon as you sweat. Until you get rid of the fungus, try to change bed linen and towels daily.

If home treatment does not work and the skin condition does not improve or even worsens, you should definitely consult a dermatologist.

Your specialist will examine you and possibly give you stronger prescription drugs or tablets. If we are talking about advanced nail fungus, it may be necessary to remove the nail plate.

But even after the treatment is completed, for several weeks or even months the color of the skin damaged by the fungus may remain uneven. Also, the infection sometimes returns in warm and humid weather. In some cases, if the fungus occurs again and again, your doctor may prescribe a medicine to be taken on an ongoing basis once or twice a month.

How to prevent skin fungus

There are simple preventive measures that will reduce your risk of getting ringworm.

• Practice good hygiene. Take a shower or bath every day, and if this is not possible, at least wipe the skin with wet wipes.
• Wear fresh clothes every day. This is especially true for socks and underwear.
• For everyday wear, choose clothes and shoes made of breathable materials: cotton, linen, viscose, lyocell, wool, membrane and mesh fabrics, natural leather.
• Make sure that your clothes and shoes do not fit too tightly.
• Do not share towels, clothes, combs, or other personal items with anyone.
• Do not walk barefoot in changing rooms and showers. Be sure to wear slippers.
• In gyms, try to wipe the handrails of exercise equipment with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer before use. Place a towel on horizontal surfaces. After your workout, place it in a separate bag and then wash in hot water (60°C or more).
• Stay away from animals that show signs of a fungal skin infection. For example, a large number of scratches or areas with missing hair.

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• Why the skin on the arms, legs and other parts of the body is flaky
• Why is the skin on the face flaky and what to do about it
• Why nails are yellow and how to return them to a healthy color

Thrush in men: treatment of thrush in men, symptoms of candidiasis in men

Men, having discovered severe symptoms of candidiasis, often ask themselves the question: “Do men have thrush?” In fact, the fungi that cause thrush are present in the normal microflora of the colon and mouth. However, under a combination of adverse circumstances, these fungi begin to actively multiply, which, as a result, leads to the appearance of such an ailment as candidiasis in men.

General information about thrush in men

In the presence of such a disease as thrush in men, the symptoms, treatment and prevention of this disease depend on how the disease progresses.

What is thrush?

Thrush is a type of yeast infection caused by Candida albicans that can develop in the mouth and throat, skin, and genitals. Fungal infections of the genital organs are more common in women, but also occur in men. Mushrooms produce various enzymes (lipotic, protelytic, saccharolytic) that irritate sensitive nerve endings located on the mucosa. The effect of these enzymes on the body and explains the clinical signs of thrush in men.

Causes of thrush in men

Signs of thrush in men are less common, due to the fact that the Candida fungus does not linger in the body, but is washed out during urination.

Causes of thrush in men are of endogenous (internal) and exogenous (external) origin.

Causes of thrush in men:

• weakened immune system;
• poor hygiene;
• sexually transmitted infection from a woman;
• prolonged or uncontrolled use of various antibiotics, drugs;
• frequent change of climatic zones;
• emotional upheavals: the presence of nervous breakdowns, stressful conditions;
• diabetes mellitus (high blood sugar contributes to the development of a yeast infection).

In addition, in the event of candidiasis in men, the cause of the disease can be “covered” in the dysbacteriosis of the mucous membranes, various disorders of the mucosal barrier that occur due to trauma, inflammation and maceration.

What do the symptoms of thrush look like in men?

Male thrush usually affects the glans penis, causing irritation, discharge and redness. The inside of the foreskin may swell. Candidiasis is more common in uncircumcised men. This is because the conditions under the foreskin are favorable for the development of the fungus. Also, when a disease such as thrush occurs in men, the symptoms have characteristic signs for all types of the disease – itching and a whitish coating on the mucous membrane. For self-visual diagnosis of candidiasis, it is enough to know what thrush looks like on shorts. It leaves characteristic traces – thick, white or slightly yellowish discharge.
Picture of thrush in men (initial stage)

Symptoms of thrush in men

The manifestation of thrush in men depends on what affects the disease. On the skin, candidiasis in men manifests itself in the form of redness and the appearance of vesicles on the skin, and on the mucous membranes – in the form of inflammation of the infectious nature of the oral cavity and urethra.

Symptoms of thrush in men:

• there is itching, burning on the foreskin, as well as on the glans penis;
• white discharge appears from the site of the lesion, resembling cottage cheese;
• the penis becomes swollen;
• discharge has a strong odor;
• during urination there is a white discharge that looks like semen;
• the process of sexual intercourse, as well as urination, is accompanied by pain in the genital area.

When candidiasis occurs in men, the symptoms and treatment of this disease depend on how quickly the incubation period has passed. Basically, this period takes 14-21 days, during which the fungi actively multiply in the body, but do not yet give visible symptoms.

How to treat thrush in men

After the first symptoms of thrush appear (listed above), a urologist and a dermatovenereologist know how to treat this disease.

If candidiasis is caused by endocrine disorders, treatment is prescribed by an endocrinologist after consultation.

To establish a diagnosis, the patient will need to take a smear for bacterioscopic examination and bacteriological culture. Additionally, the following tests may be prescribed:

• for the presence of genital infections;
• blood sugar test;
• for the Wasserman reaction;
• general blood and urine analysis.

If the appearance of thrush has other causes (sugar, infection of the genital organs, etc. ), then appropriate treatment is carried out by narrow specialists. If only one thrush is found, symptomatic treatment with local preparations for thrush is prescribed.

Thrush in men is 4 times less common than in women. Therefore, among the variety of medicinal preparations for women (creams, gels, ointments, suppositories for thrush, vaginal tablets), only ointments and antifungal tablets are used to treat men.

Among the ointments, the following medicines are distinguished.

• Pimafucin.
• Ointment Levomekol.
• Candide b.
• Nystatin.
• Cream Ecodax.
• Clotrimazole.
• Metronidazole.

Thrush is a disease that requires timely treatment, because there is a risk of complications.

If the disease has developed as a result of infection from a sexual partner, then the treatment of thrush in men requires the use of drugs locally, and in some cases internally, by both partners.

If the disease has caused a number of complications, turned into a chronic form, complex treatment of thrush is required. So, in combination with local drugs, antifungal tablets are prescribed. This approach in therapy will allow you to get rid of the signs of candidiasis already for 2-3 days. Such tablets from thrush have proven themselves well:

• Pimafucin.
• Futsis.
• Diflucan.
• Nizoral.
• Medoflucon.
• Nistanin.

Before using any drug, be sure to consult your doctor!

Diet for thrush

If candidiasis occurs in men, treatment includes not only medication, but also diet.

How to treat thrush in men with diet?

What should be excluded from the diet?

• Sweets and starchy foods: sweets, chocolates, sweet fruits, dried fruits, jams, honey, ice cream and other “simple” carbohydrates.
• Starchy products such as sweet pastries, bread. Cut down on potatoes, corn, rice, and other similar foods.
• Marinades , canned foods, smoked products.
• Some fermented milk products – ryazhenka, milk, cottage cheese.
• Products of fermentation or which may cause fermentation and contain live yeast and live fungi. Among such products: grapes and other sweet fruits, blue cheeses, kvass, beer, wines, bread, and so on.
• Certain beverages such as caffeinated coffee and tea, sugary drinks and alcohol.
• Certain nuts including peanuts, pistachios and cashews.
• Tobacco.

What should be included in the diet?

• Non-starchy vegetables including broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, onions and tomatoes.
• Low sugar fruits such as citrus fruits, olives and berries, but only in moderation.
• Lean proteins including chicken, eggs and fish.
• Healthy fats such as avocado, coconut oil, extra virgin olive oil and linseed oil.
• Gluten-free grains such as quinoa, oat bran, buckwheat and rice.
• Nuts and seeds such as almonds, coconut, linseed and sunflower seeds.
• Certain dairy products such as butter and ghee, and products containing live active cultures such as kefir and yogurt (natural).
• Probiotics.

Sexual contact during thrush

Although it is possible for a man with candidiasis to have sex, most doctors do not recommend it until the infection has cleared. In addition, men may abstain from sexual activity during thrush to minimize pain and itching. Sex during this period is not only uncomfortable, but can cause candidiasis in men to last longer, cause symptoms to return if they have recently cleared up after treatment, and increase the partner’s risk of developing the disease.

For a more detailed answer to this question, read our article “Is it possible to have sex with thrush?”

Complications of male candidiasis and consequences

If left untreated, neglected thrush in men can turn into a chronic form, and periodic exacerbations will greatly impair the quality of life. With untimely treatment, the structure of the urethral mucosa may be disturbed, which makes it difficult to urinate, the inflammatory process can rise to the prostate gland and bladder. It also reduces the sensitivity of the nerve endings of the penis. With advanced candidiasis, there may be a complete lack of libido and a manifestation of sexual dysfunction. That is why it is necessary to diagnose and begin treatment of thrush in a timely manner, without waiting for complications.

Prevention of thrush

Prevention of thrush in men includes the following recommendations:

1. Strengthen your immunity and health, get enough sleep and try to avoid stress.