● living in a warm or wet environment
● sweating heavily
● not keeping your skin clean and dry
● sharing items such as clothing, shoes, towels, or bedding
● wearing tight clothing or footwear that doesn’t breathe well
● taking part in activities that involve frequent skin-to-skin contact
Tinea Corporis - Ringworm
Ringworm is a common fungal skin infection. The main symptom is a itchy, ring-shaped rash with slightly raised edges usually seen on limbs and torso.
Tinea Capitis - Ringworm of the scalp
This fungal infection affects the skin of the scalp and the associated hair shafts. It’s most common in children and teens 3 to 14 years old.
Symptoms include- broken hair shafts, localized bald patches that may appear scaly or red, associated itching, tenderness or pain , patches that ooze or crust over, permanent hair loss in some severe cases. It can also cause symptoms unrelated to the scalp, such as fever and swollen lymph nodes in the neck.
Tinea Cruris - Jock itch
Jock itch happens in the area near your groin and thighs, as an itchy red scaly rash. It’s most common in men and adolescent boys. The rash may worsen after exercise or other physical activity and can spread to the buttocks and abdomen .The affected skin may appear cracked, moist and possibly macerated, in the case of an open sore
Tinea Pedis - Athlete’s foot
Athlete’s foot affects the skin on your feet, often between your toes. It can also appear on the soles of your feet. Typical symptoms of athlete’s foot include: itching or a burning, stinging sensation between your toes or on the soles, skin that appears red, scaly, dry, or flaky, thickened soles cracked or blistered skin.
Diagnosis of fungal infections-
fungal infections are diagnosed clinically and sometimes skin or hair samples are sent for microscopy and culture to confirm the diagnosis
Treatment- mainstay of treatment includes oral antifungal tablets and topical antifungal creams.
Treatment course usually take 2-6 months based on site and severity.
Be aware as a lot of quacks prescribe the wrong medication, particularly combination creams containing steroids which worsen the infection and can damage the skin even further.
Prevention.
1. Shower twice a day with lukewarm water.
2. Use mild soaps or cleansers. Do not use harsh antibacterial soaps, they might irritate your skin further.
3. Always wear loose, cotton clothes. Let your skin breathe. Avoid jeans, synthetic materials and tight fitting clothes.
4. Avoid sweating too much. Try to spend time in a cool, dry environment.
5. Wash your clothes in hot water.
6. Iron all your clothes including your undergarments.
7. Do not share clothes, towels, bedsheets or other garments with anyone, including your family members to avoid spreading it.
8. If anyone in your family or at home has such an infection, ask them to get treated too.
9. Complete your entire course of medication, even if the infection seems to have gone away.
10. If you are diabetic or if your immunity may be low, do take treatment for the same
