Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Is It?Common InfectionsRisk FactorsTreatmentPreventionFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Is It?
Common Infections
Risk Factors
Treatment
Prevention
Frequently Asked Questions
There are many types of fungi, but there are only a few that cause infections in humans. A small number of those cause skin infections.
This article will focus on fungal skin infections, including information on symptoms, treatment, and prevention of fungal skin infections.
Nitcharee Sukhontapirom / Getty Images
What Is a Fungal Skin Infection?
General Symptoms
While symptoms will vary depending on the type of problem, general symptoms of a fungal skin infection include:
Why Skin Is Vulnerable to Fungus
Many fungi grow best in warm, moist environments.This is why fungal skin infections may develop in areas of skin that can harbor moisture, like:
Common Fungal Skin Infections
Common fungal skin infections are usually not serious but do require treatment from a healthcare provider or over-the-counter (OTC) medication.
Ringworm of the Body (Tinea Corporis)
Ringworm, also called tinea corporis, is a fungal skin infection that causes a ring-shaped rash. There is no actual worm involved with ringworm.
Ringworm is also known asdermatophytosis.Other terms often relate to where on the body ringworm develops. Ringworm on the feet is called athlete’s foot, for instance.
Ringworm can spread:
Symptoms of ringworm include:
Treatment of ringworm will vary depending on the specific type of infection.For example, OTC creams or powders can treat athlete’s foot. For ringworm on the scalp, oral antifungal medications are used for one to three months. These medicines include Diflucan (fluconazole) and Sporanox (itraconazole).
Athlete’s Foot (Tinea Pedis)
You can get athlete’s foot from damp surfaces in:
Typesof athlete’s foot include:
Symptoms of athlete’s foot usually occur between the toes. Symptoms include:
Treatment for athlete’s foot most commonly includes OTC antifungal powders or sprays.A more severe case may need prescription cream or oral pills.
Jock Itch (Tinea Cruris)
Jock itchis another type of fungal skin infection that takes advantage of warm, moist environments. Jock itch (also called tinea cruris) will occur in places like the:
Jock itch is common in athletes because of the tight-fitting clothing commonly worn for sports. Despite its name, jock itch can occur in both males and females, although it’s more common in males.
Jock itch symptoms include:
Treatment for jock itch includes nonprescription antifungal creams and powders. If symptoms continue after OTC treatment, see a healthcare provider.
Ringworm of the Scalp (Tinea Capitis)
As the name implies, ringworm of the scalp is a type of fungal infection affecting thescalp, the skin covering the head. Sometimes, it affects the entire scalp. Other times, it affects only part of it.
Symptoms of ringworm of the scalp (also called tinea capitis) include:
Ringworm of any type can spread quickly from person to person or from pets (especially cats) to people.Some factors that increase the risk of ringworm of the scalp include:
Treatment for ringworm of the scalp is a prescription medication used for one to two months. Your healthcare provider also may recommend:
Tinea Versicolor
Symptoms of tinea versicolor are:
The most common treatment for tinea versicolor is an antifungal shampoo, soap, or cream that has selenium sulfide, ketoconazole, or pyrithione zinc.If it covers a large area of the body or returns after being treated, antifungal pills may be used. There also are medicated cleansers that can be used once or twice a month if you tend to have tinea versicolor that recurs.
Cutaneous Candidiasis
The most common symptom of cutaneous candidiasis is an itchy rash that grows on skinfolds, genitals, or other skin areas.
Treatment will vary somewhat depending on where the cutaneous candidiasis appears. Antifungal skin creams and powders are commonly used, although oral antifungal medicine is an option for more severe cases.It also helps to keep the skin dry and to use drying powders.
Onychomycosis (Tinea Unguium)
Onychomycosisis another name for afungal nail infection. It is more common ontoenails, although fingernails also can be affected. Another name for this istinea unguium.
Having wet nails for extended periods of time, including due to sweating, can raise the chance of developing a fungal nail infection.It is also possible to get a fungal nail infection if you are barefoot and walking in an area (such as a pool or locker room) where someone else with the infection was walking.
A fungal nail infection can easily spread from one nail to the others.
Symptoms of a fungal nail infection include:
For a mild case, your healthcare provider may start your treatment with medication applied directly to your nails. For more severe cases, prescription antifungal pills are usually the most effective treatment.In a severe case, health providers may remove the nail.
Treating a fungal nail infection can take from four to six months for fingernails and 12 to 18 months for toenails.
Risk Factors for Fungal Skin Rashes
Although risk factors for fungal skin rashes will vary somewhat depending on the type of infection, there are some common risk factors:
Treatment for Fungal Skin Infections
The most common treatment for fungal skin infections is an antifungal medicine. The specific type of medicine will depend on the type of infection you have. Some of these medicines require a prescription. Antifungal medicines come in many forms, including:
Preventing Fungal Skin Rashes
Although not all fungal skin rashes are preventable, there are some things you can do to lower your chances of getting them.
Caring for Athletic Clothing and Equipment
Preventing Infection at Home
Preventing Infection at the Gym and in Public
Summary
A small number of fungi can cause fungal skin infections. There are several types of fungal skin infections, including athlete’s foot, ringworm, jock itch, and others. Although symptoms will vary, a rash and scaly skin are two common symptoms.
Treatment will vary depending on the type of infection. Antifungal medications are the treatment most commonly used. Antifungal medications come in many different forms, including creams, pills, and sprays. Ways to help avoid a fungal skin infection include keeping your skin clean and dry and wearing protective footwear in public facilities like locker rooms and around pools.
A Word From Verywell
Though an inconvenience and an annoyance, fungal skin infections are very common and treatable. If you have symptoms of a fungal skin infection, it’s best to seek treatment early on to avoid it from spreading further. If OTC treatments do not help or you are not sure what type of skin infection you have, seek further treatment from a healthcare provider.
Frequently Asked QuestionsThe best medicine for a fungal skin infection is an antifungal medication that treats the specific fungus you have. There are many different types and forms of medicine, such as creams, lotions, and pills. Prescription medications are generally stronger.A red and itchy rash is a common sign of a fungal skin infection. However, there are other things that can cause a skin infection, including bacteria. It is best to check with a health provider if you are not sure if your skin infection is fungal.This will depend on the type of fungal skin infection you have. A yeast infection will generally get better in about a week. Other infections, like ringworm, will improve after a couple of weeks. A nail fungus infection may take several months or longer to heal.
The best medicine for a fungal skin infection is an antifungal medication that treats the specific fungus you have. There are many different types and forms of medicine, such as creams, lotions, and pills. Prescription medications are generally stronger.
A red and itchy rash is a common sign of a fungal skin infection. However, there are other things that can cause a skin infection, including bacteria. It is best to check with a health provider if you are not sure if your skin infection is fungal.
This will depend on the type of fungal skin infection you have. A yeast infection will generally get better in about a week. Other infections, like ringworm, will improve after a couple of weeks. A nail fungus infection may take several months or longer to heal.
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Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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