Yeast and fungi can cause infections in your body and on your skin. These organisms are part of the fungal kingdom, which includes mushrooms and molds, and they are separate from bacteria, viruses, amoeba, and plants.
Many people associate yeast infections with thevagina, and that is one type of yeast infection. But there areother kinds of yeast infectionsthat can affect skin all over the body.
Verywell / Emily Roberts
You might cringe at the thought of having a fungal oryeast infection. The reality, however, is that many types of fungi live on the skin all the time, even though you can’t see them.
Most of the time, these fungi don’t cause any problems, but sometimes a fungus willchange and cause an infection. These are some of the more common fungal and yeast infections that people experience.
Tinea Versicolor
Tinea versicoloris also known as pityriasis versicolor. It is a fungal infection of the top layer of the skin, theepidermis. The yeast that is responsible for this rash loves oil glands, so teenagers and young adults tend to get tinea versicolor more often than older people.
There is atreatment for tinea versicolor, but the infection often comes back. Fortunately, this infection doesn’t cause any pain or itching.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from ©DermNet NZ www.dermnetnz.org 2022
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Reproduced with permission from ©DermNet NZ www.dermnetnz.org 2022
Jock Itch
Jock itch, also known as tinea cruris, is a fungal infection of the skin in the groin. Fungi flourish in a warm, moist environment—and that certainly describes the groin. Women can get jock itch, though the infection tends to strike men.
Jock itch can be very itchy, as its name implies, but it usually responds well to over-the-counter fungal infection creams. Preventing jock itch involves keeping the groin as dry as possible and sometimes using an antifungal powder every day.
Jock Itch Symptoms and Treatment
Athlete’s Foot
Athlete’s foot, or tinea pedis, is a common fungal infection of the feet. There are different types of athlete’s foot infections, but the most common one occurs in between the toes. This infection causes intense itching and breaks down the skin, so it often looks like white goo between the toes.
Athlete’s foot is typically treated with creams or lotions. But sometimes a severe case will require an oral antifungal medication.
Athlete’s Foot Types and Treatment
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNet New Zealandwww.dermnetnz.org2022
Reproduced with permission from © DermNet New Zealandwww.dermnetnz.org2022
Ringworm
Ringworm, also known as tinea corporis, is a common fungal infection of the skin. There are several fungi that cancause ringwormand they live in the epidermis.
Ringworm causes moresymptomsthan tinea versicolor, like itching and a noticeable rash. The rash consists of scaly, red patches or bumps that gradually turn into the shape of circles. Its shape makes for an easy diagnosis. It’s treated pretty easily with a topical antifungal medication.
Ringworm Causes, Signs on Different Skin Tones, and Treatment
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from ©DermNet NZ and ©Raimo Suhonen www.dermnetnz.org 2022
Reproduced with permission from ©DermNet NZ and ©Raimo Suhonen www.dermnetnz.org 2022
Ringworm of the Scalp
Ringworm of the scalp, or tinea capitis, is a more intensive fungal infection than ringworm that appears on other areas of the skin. The fungi that cause this ringworm not only invade the skin of the scalp but also hair follicles. It can cause the involved hair to fall out, leaving a bald spot with a ringworm-type rash in the center.
Tinea capitis does not respond well to topical creams. It has to be treated with oral antifungal medications.
Ringworm of the Beard
Ringworm of the beard, or tinea barbae, is similar to ringworm of the scalp in that the fungus infects both the skin and thehair follicle.
The most common type of tinea barbae is an infection deep in the skin that causes very red nodules on the face with pus that drains and tunnels through the skin to other areas close to the nodules. A less common type of tinea barbae is a mild infection on the surface of the skin.
This infection has to be treated with oral antifungal medications. Creams or lotions are not effective.
Fungal Nail Infection
Fungal nail infections have to be treated with oral antifungal medications. Creams and lotions don’t help.
Fungal Nail Infection Treatment
Intertrigo
Intertrigo is a yeast infection that occurs in skin folds. Since this yeast grows easily in warm, moist areas, any place on the body where skin touches skin is susceptible. Intertrigo most commonly occurs in the armpits, in the groin, and under heavy breasts or fat folds.
Intertrigo Symptoms and Treatment
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from ©DermNet NZ and ©Waikato District Health Board www.dermnetnz.org 2022
Reproduced with permission from ©DermNet NZ and ©Waikato District Health Board www.dermnetnz.org 2022
Thrush
Thrushis a yeast infection inside the mouth. It is common in babies because their immune systems are still developing. It can also occur if someone takes antibiotics or uses an inhaled corticosteroid without rinsing his or her mouth afterward. Thrush is easily treated with antifungal medicine in the mouth.
Thrush Symptoms and Treatment
Id Reaction
The id reaction isn’t exactly a fungal infection. It’s a rash on one part of the body that happens in response to a fungal infection that’s somewhere else on the body.An id reaction is very itchy and often causes blisters on the skin. This rash goes away after the fungal infection has been treated.
10 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.
Gupta AK, Foley KA.Antifungal treatment for pityriasis versicolor.J Fungi (Basel).2015;1(1):13-29. doi:10.3390/jof1010013
El-gohary M, Van zuuren EJ, Fedorowicz Z, et al.Topical antifungal treatments for tinea cruris and tinea corporis.Cochrane Database Syst Rev.2014;(8):CD009992. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD009992.pub2
Toukabri N, Dhieb C, El euch D, Rouissi M, Mokni M, Sadfi-zouaoui N.Prevalence, etiology, and risk factors of tinea pedis and tinea unguium in Tunisia.Can J Infect Dis Med Microbiol.2017;2017:6835725. doi:10.1155/2017/6835725
Sahoo AK, Mahajan R.Management of tinea corporis, tinea cruris, and tinea pedis: A comprehensive review.Indian Dermatol Online J. 2016;7(2):77-86. doi:10.4103/2229-5178.178099
Hay RJ.Tinea capitis: Current status.Mycopathologia. 2017;182(1-2):87-93. doi:10.1007/s11046-016-0058-8
Christenson JK, Peterson GM, Naunton M, et al.Challenges and Opportunities in the Management of Onychomycosis.J Fungi (Basel). 2018;4(3). doi:10.3390/jof4030087
Metin A, Dilek N, Bilgili SG.Recurrent candidal intertrigo: challenges and solutions.Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2018;11:175-185. doi:10.2147/CCID.S127841
InformedHealth.org.Oral thrush (oral candidiasis): Overview. Cologne, Germany: Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG).
Ferree SD, Yang C, Kourosh AS.Autosensitization dermatitis: A case of rosacea-like id reaction.JAAD Case Rep.2019;5(5):410-412. doi:10.1016/j.jdcr.2019.02.029
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