Most of us have some sort of fungi that is present and live on our skin. When someone has a fungal infection, it is usually found on the top layer of skin as well as the hair and nails. A fungal infection located on the top layer of the skin is also known as ringworm. Ringworm in reality is not a worm that lives in your skin, but just a skin fungus. There are several types of ringworms and are the body ringworm, jock itch, athletes’s foot and nail ringworm. Children are more prone to the scalp ringworm which is another type and of course males are more prone to the jock itch.
Symptoms you can look for if you have a fungal infection are a pink or red, ring shaped patch that looks like a rash and has an itchy feeling. If you have athlete’s foot, the fungal infection will appear between the toes of the foot and is an itchy scaly rash. A nail fungal infection or nail ringworm, will of course appear on the nails, more commonly on the toenails, and will have a tendency to crumble from the remaining nail and will have give your toenails a thick dull appearance. Creams usually don’t work on nail fungus; therefore an anti-fungal medication taken by mouth is usually prescribed. Another form of fungal infection is intertrigo. Intertrigo is found in the folds of the skin and infections usually set in under the armpits, breasts or any other part of the body where the skin meets skin and is usually damp and warm. Intertrigo is a yeast infection and can be cured by creams as well.
Usually a doctor will look at the infected area and determine what type of fungal infection you have. More than likely he will prescribe an anti-fungal cream which you can buy over the counter. Since fungal infections love warm moist areas, it is best to keep the infected area clean and dry. A hydrocortisone cream will help relieve any itching and if you are a male who has jock itch, it’s best to wear shorts or pants that are loose and not tight around the fungal infection. Soap should not be used on the fungal infected area. Once the fungal area is treated, the problem usually goes away and is healed. Since athlete’s foot seems to repeat itself, the doctor may prescribe an antibiotic to help rid you of the fungal infection.
To prevent from getting a fungal infection, you need to use some precautions such as changing your socks, underwear and undergarments daily. If you happen to be out in public, try wearing sandals if you are using a public restroom or shower to prevent your feet coming into contact with the dirty floors. Most fungal infections are not serious and are not deadly, but if not treated, can cause a more serious infection. Most fungal infections can be cured by taking medication by mouth or by cream, but a more serious infection may require months of treatments.
