Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSkin Cancer Mimicking Fungal InfectionFungal Infection Mimicking CancerSigns of Skin CancerSigns of Fungal Skin InfectionsWhen to Get HelpFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Skin Cancer Mimicking Fungal Infection
Fungal Infection Mimicking Cancer
Signs of Skin Cancer
Signs of Fungal Skin Infections
When to Get Help
Frequently Asked Questions
Skin cancers, whether primary or metastatic, can sometimes coexist with or even mimicfungal infectionsof the skin. This can lead to later diagnosis when skin cancer is mistaken for a fungal infection.The problem is even more complex for cancer patients, who are at high risk for infection and are likely to have fungal infections coexisting with their cancer.
Take a Look at These Skin Infection Pictures
CasarsaGuru / Getty Images
Skin Cancer May Mimic a Fungal Infection
When skin cancer mimics a fungal infection, it can go undiagnosed and start to spread in the body.
If you believe that you have a fungal infection of the skin, see your dermatologist. The first step is tobiopsy the skinto determine the cause of the irritation. It’s important to see your dermatologist right away if you notice a sore or skin infection that won’t heal. This is a classic sign of skin cancer and should never be ignored.
Your dermatologist may recommend several biopsies of the same area of the skin to determine if cancer is present.
When skin cancer mimics a fungal infection and is left untreated, it can begin to spread. The longer skin cancer grows without treatment, the more difficult it is to treat. If you have noticed a new skin growth or sore, see your dermatologist.
A Fungal Infection Can Be Mistaken for Cancer
Some fungalskin infectionscan resemble or mimic skin cancer. This is especially true for fungal infections that are treatment-resistant.Skin cancer often appears as a sore that does not heal. If you have a fungal infection that is not improving, it may be mistaken as early skin cancer.
A skin biopsy will be able to show which condition is causing the issue. A fungal infection on the skin is usually successfully treated with a topical antifungal treatment. An oral antibiotic may be needed for abacterial infectionon the skin.
You may experience cancer and fungal infections at the same time. Cancer treatments like chemotherapy affect your immune system and prevent it from effectively fighting infection. This raises your risk of developing a fungal infection. If you have ablood cancersuch as leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma, you have a higher risk of experiencing a fungal infection.
How to Lower Your RiskIt may be difficult to always prevent a fungal infection during chemotherapy, but it’s possible to lower your risk. First, call your dermatologist or primary care provider as soon as you notice a new skin growth or sore. Treating the infection early will help you have a better prognosis. If your doctor prescribes an antifungal medication, take it exactly as directed.To avoid being exposed to disease-causing fungi, take the following steps:Avoid areas with a large amount of dust, such as a construction site.Stay indoors during dust storms in your area.Do not come in contact with bird or bat droppings.Wear gloves when gardening or working in the soil.When spending extended time outdoors in nature, opt for shoes, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt.
How to Lower Your Risk
It may be difficult to always prevent a fungal infection during chemotherapy, but it’s possible to lower your risk. First, call your dermatologist or primary care provider as soon as you notice a new skin growth or sore. Treating the infection early will help you have a better prognosis. If your doctor prescribes an antifungal medication, take it exactly as directed.To avoid being exposed to disease-causing fungi, take the following steps:Avoid areas with a large amount of dust, such as a construction site.Stay indoors during dust storms in your area.Do not come in contact with bird or bat droppings.Wear gloves when gardening or working in the soil.When spending extended time outdoors in nature, opt for shoes, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt.
It may be difficult to always prevent a fungal infection during chemotherapy, but it’s possible to lower your risk. First, call your dermatologist or primary care provider as soon as you notice a new skin growth or sore. Treating the infection early will help you have a better prognosis. If your doctor prescribes an antifungal medication, take it exactly as directed.
To avoid being exposed to disease-causing fungi, take the following steps:
Signs and Symptoms of Skin Cancer
Skin cancer is a visible disease, so it is important to know how to recognize it. The most common form of skin cancer isbasal cell carcinoma. Basal cell carcinoma often appears as a new skin growth with some of the following characteristics:
The second most common form of skin cancer issquamous cell carcinoma. Squamous cell carcinoma appears as a new skin growth that is:
Melanomais the deadliest form of skin cancer, and often appears as a mole with the following characteristics:
How Can You Tell If a Mole Is Turning Into Skin Cancer?
Signs and Symptoms of Fungal Skin Infections
A helpful tip to remember is that skin cancer and fungal infections often appear in different areas of the body. This is not always the case but it may help when trying to determine what is going on. Skin cancer often appears on skin that receives the most sunlight, such as the face or ears. Skin fungal infections often appear in skin folds and areas of the skin where fungus can easily grow.
Common signs and symptoms of a fungal infection of the skin include:
Does a Macule Mean That I Have Skin Cancer?
Talk with your dermatologist any time you notice a new skin growth or sore that is not healing. It’s best to see your dermatologist for a professional skin exam once per year.
In addition to regular dermatology appointments, schedule time each month to perform a skin check. Performing a regular skin exam is especially important if you are at higher risk of developing skin cancer. Known risk factors include:
What Are the ABCDEs of Melanoma?
How to Perform a Skin Self-CheckTheAmerican Cancer Societyrecommends checking your skin once per month.Choose a well-lit room and stand in front of a full-length mirror if possible. A hand-held mirror may be helpful to have as well.Facing the mirror, start at your head and move down your body. Examine your face, ears, neck, chest, and stomach. Some people may need to lift their breasts to see the skin underneath.Check all sides of your arms, as well as your underarms. Examine your hands, including in between your fingers and under your fingernails.To examine your legs and feet, it may be helpful to sit down. Look at the tops of your legs and feet, including in between your toes and under your toenails. Use a small hand mirror to see the backs of your legs. Keep the hand mirror out to check your buttocks, genital area, and back.To check your scalp, use a comb to divide sections of hair.
How to Perform a Skin Self-Check
TheAmerican Cancer Societyrecommends checking your skin once per month.Choose a well-lit room and stand in front of a full-length mirror if possible. A hand-held mirror may be helpful to have as well.Facing the mirror, start at your head and move down your body. Examine your face, ears, neck, chest, and stomach. Some people may need to lift their breasts to see the skin underneath.Check all sides of your arms, as well as your underarms. Examine your hands, including in between your fingers and under your fingernails.To examine your legs and feet, it may be helpful to sit down. Look at the tops of your legs and feet, including in between your toes and under your toenails. Use a small hand mirror to see the backs of your legs. Keep the hand mirror out to check your buttocks, genital area, and back.To check your scalp, use a comb to divide sections of hair.
TheAmerican Cancer Societyrecommends checking your skin once per month.Choose a well-lit room and stand in front of a full-length mirror if possible. A hand-held mirror may be helpful to have as well.
If you notice a new or changing skin growth that concerns you, call your doctor and schedule an appointment right away. If you are unable to see the doctor quickly, take pictures and write down the date.
When you see the dermatologist, they will closely examine the skin growth and ask several questions, including:
Our skin’s microbiome is made up of billions of viruses, fungi, and bacteria living on the surface. These microorganisms are usually helpful and do not need to be treated. They are responsible for preventing skin infections and keeping your skin healthy.However, when these microorganisms overgrow or get out of balance, an infection can occur.
Our skin’s microbiome is made up of billions of viruses, fungi, and bacteria living on the surface. These microorganisms are usually helpful and do not need to be treated. They are responsible for preventing skin infections and keeping your skin healthy.
However, when these microorganisms overgrow or get out of balance, an infection can occur.
Summary
Skin cancer and fungal infection of the skin can sometimes mimic each other and make diagnosis difficult. This is dangerous because the longer skin cancer progresses without treatment, the more difficult it is to treat and cure.
It is helpful to know the signs and symptoms to look for with both conditions. For example, a fungal infection often appears in a skin fold such as the buttocks or between the toes. In contrast, skin cancer is more likely to occur in an area of the body that receives the most sunlight, such as the face or ear.
A Word From Verywell
Trying to tell the difference between skin cancer or fungal infection is confusing. Don’t feel that you need to be an expert in this situation. If you are unsure what is causing your new skin growth or sore, see your dermatologist. They will be able to closely examine your skin and perform a skin biopsy as needed.
Each case of skin cancer is unique, and its appearance will differ from person to person. It is possible to live with skin cancer for quite a while, especially if the skin growth does not appear to be changing or growing. If you notice a new growth or sore that does not seem to heal, see your dermatologist to be evaluated.
When the fungus on the skin leads to a fungal infection, it often appears as a red, itchy rash. The rash usually appears in a skinfold, the buttocks or genitals, or other areas where fungus can thrive. A hair follicle with a fungal infection may look like a pimple.
Fungal infections occur when the normal microbiome on the skin gets out of balance. When the fungus on the skin overgrows, a fungal infection can develop.
What Common Skin Infections Look Like
8 SourcesVerywell 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.Brothers RP, Daveluy SD.Squamous cell carcinoma mimicking fungal infection.ID Cases. 2016;6:72-73. doi:10.1016/j.idcr.2016.09.016Skin Cancer Foundation.Early detection.Dermatology Times.Fungal infections may mimic malignancies.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Cancer patients and fungal infections.American Cancer Society.How to spot skin cancer.MedlinePlus.Candida infection of the skin.American Cancer Society.How to do a skin self-exam.American Cancer Society.Microorganisms living on your skin may relate to skin cancer risk.
8 Sources
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.Brothers RP, Daveluy SD.Squamous cell carcinoma mimicking fungal infection.ID Cases. 2016;6:72-73. doi:10.1016/j.idcr.2016.09.016Skin Cancer Foundation.Early detection.Dermatology Times.Fungal infections may mimic malignancies.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Cancer patients and fungal infections.American Cancer Society.How to spot skin cancer.MedlinePlus.Candida infection of the skin.American Cancer Society.How to do a skin self-exam.American Cancer Society.Microorganisms living on your skin may relate to skin cancer risk.
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.
Brothers RP, Daveluy SD.Squamous cell carcinoma mimicking fungal infection.ID Cases. 2016;6:72-73. doi:10.1016/j.idcr.2016.09.016Skin Cancer Foundation.Early detection.Dermatology Times.Fungal infections may mimic malignancies.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Cancer patients and fungal infections.American Cancer Society.How to spot skin cancer.MedlinePlus.Candida infection of the skin.American Cancer Society.How to do a skin self-exam.American Cancer Society.Microorganisms living on your skin may relate to skin cancer risk.
Brothers RP, Daveluy SD.Squamous cell carcinoma mimicking fungal infection.ID Cases. 2016;6:72-73. doi:10.1016/j.idcr.2016.09.016
Skin Cancer Foundation.Early detection.
Dermatology Times.Fungal infections may mimic malignancies.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Cancer patients and fungal infections.
American Cancer Society.How to spot skin cancer.
MedlinePlus.Candida infection of the skin.
American Cancer Society.How to do a skin self-exam.
American Cancer Society.Microorganisms living on your skin may relate to skin cancer risk.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
