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What are fungal infections? -

Fungal infections, also known as mycosis, are medical conditions caused by a fungus (either yeast or mold).

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What are fungi? -

Fungi are living things (just like animals and plants), many of which live naturally in our bodies (e.g. in our mouths and skin). The good news is that, among the many millions of fungi on our planet, only a few yeasts and molds can cause disease in humans.

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What causes fungal infections? -

As mentioned previously, molds and yeasts are mostly responsible, but other types of fungi can cause them, too. Dermatophytes, candida, and environmental fungi such as histoplasma, coccidioides, aspergillus, and blastomyces are among the common culprits.

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What does a fungal infection looks like? -

This depends on the affected area of the body. Skin infections can look red and swollen, and rashes and lumps may appear. Nail infections usually present some form of discoloration, cracking, or excessive thickness.

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What does a fungal infection look like? -

As for infections in the mouth, throat, and vagina, a white coating or patches may be an indicator that something is not right.

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Who’s at risk? -

Anyone can develop a fungal infection, as all they need to develop is a part of the body with higher levels of moisture. Having said that, those with a weakened immune system (e.g. cancer, HIV, autoimmune disorders) are at a higher risk. And so are people with diabetes and poor circulation.

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Types of fungal infections -

Fungal infections can be divided into three categories: superficial or mucocutaneous, subcutaneous, and deep infections. The first one affects the surface of the skin, nails, and mucous membranes (e.g. mouth or vagina).

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Superficial fungal Infections: ringworm -

Ringworm (dermatophytosis) is one of the most common types of superficial fungus infections. Ringworm can affect the feet (tinea pedis, aka athlete’s foot), the hands (tinea manuum), the scalp (tinea capitis), the groin and inner thighs (tinea cruris/jock itch), facial hair and skin (tinea barbae), as well as other parts of the body (tinea corporis).

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Superficial fungal Infections: onychomycosis -

Onychomycosis affects the nails. This infection can cause fingernails or toenails to become discolored and cracked.

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Superficial fungal Infections: candidiasis -

Candida is the fungus responsible for infections known as candidiasis. These can affect the skin and mucous membranes. Candidiasis include oral thrush, vaginal yeast infections (vulvovaginitis), esophageal candidiasis, and candidal intertrigo.

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Superficial fungal Infections: tinea versicolor/pityriasis versicolor -

A fungus called Malassezia is responsible for an infection that causes skin discoloration known as tinea versicolor or pityriasis versicolor.

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Subcutaneous fungal infections: sporotrichosis -

Subcutaneous fungal infections can occur when a fungus gets into a cut or wound. These can cause rashes, ulcers, and a number of skin problems. Sporotrichosis (rose gardener’s disease) is an example of a subcutaneous fungal infection. This infection affects the lungs or other parts of the body.

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Subcutaneous fungal infections: chromoblastomycosis and eumycetoma -

Chromoblastomycosis can be caused by a number of fungi and can lead to chronic skin infections. As for eumycetoma, it can also be caused by a number of fungi. This one usually affects the feet.

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Deep fungal infections -

Unlike the aforementioned infections, which mostly affect skin, nails, and mucous membranes, deep fungal infections tend to affect areas of the body such as the lungs, blood, urinary tract, and even the brain.

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Deep fungal infections: histoplasmosis and coccidioidomycosis (Valley fever) -

Histoplasma is the name of the fungus that causes histoplasmosis. This infection can affect the lungs, brain, and other body parts. Coccidioidomycosis (Valley fever) can also infect the lungs, but rarely spreads to other parts of the body.

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Deep fungal infections: blastomycosis and aspergillosis -

Blastomycosis can infect the skin, bones, and lungs. And on rare occasions, it can also affect the brain and spinal cord. A mold called Aspergillus can cause a number of lung infections, including allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) and chronic pulmonary aspergillosis.

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Deep fungal infections: candidal urinary tract infection and invasive candidiasis -

While most urinary tract infections (UTIs) are caused by bacteria, yeast such as Candida can also cause them. In addition, some Candida species can infect other parts of the body, including the eyes (endophthalmitis), blood (candidemia), bones, brain, and heart.

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Deep fungal infections: pneumocystis pneumonia (PJP) and cryptococcosis -

Pneumocystis pneumonia (PJP) is a fungal infection that affects the lungs. Cryptococcosis also affects the lungs, but can also spread to the brain and spinal cord (cryptococcal meningitis).

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Deep fungal infections: mucormycosis -

Mucormycosis is caused by a group of molds called mucormycetes. It can infect many parts of the body, namely the skin (cutaneous mucormycosis), sinuses and brain (rhinocerebral mucormycosis), the lungs (pulmonary mucormycosis), intestines (gastrointestinal mucormycosis), or several body parts simultaneously (disseminated mucormycosis).

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Symptoms of superficial or subcutaneous infections -

Symptoms may include skin redness/rash, itching, soreness, or a painless lump under the skin. Discolored, cracked, or thick nails are also a symptom, as are white patches in the mouth or throat.

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Symptoms of fungal infections in the lungs -

Symptoms of fungal infections in the lungs may include cough, fever, fatigue, and shortness of breath, among others.

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Symptoms of fungal infections in the brain -

When fungal infections affect the brain, symptoms such as headaches, neck pain, nausea/vomiting, sensitivity to light, and fever may be experienced.

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Symptoms of fungal infections in the eye -

Symptoms include redness, discharge, pain, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, and tearing.

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Symptoms of fungal infections in the intestinal tract -

Abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting are common symptoms of fungal infections in the intestinal tract.

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Symptoms of fungal infections in the sinuses -

Symptoms of fungal infections in the sinuses may include headache, fever, nasal congestion, and facial swelling and/or pain.

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How can you get a fungal infection? -

Fungal infections can develop following exposure to damp public spaces (i.e. showers and locker rooms), some fungi might break through the skin through a cut, you can get infected by simply breathing a fungus, or even by taking antibiotics. Sometimes you can also catch it from direct contact with an infected person or animal.

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Diagnosis -

Diagnosis is usually done by analyzing samples (e.g. skin, nails, urine, blood, vaginal discharge, etc.). Internal fungal infections (e.g. lungs, brain, etc.) are sometimes diagnosed using medical imaging as well.

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Treatment -

Antifungal medication is used in the treatment of fungal infections. Some cases may be treated with over-the-counter medications, while others will require stronger prescription meds.

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How to reduce the risk of getting a fungal infection -

Showering regularly and drying your body will help. Avoid walking barefoot in public showers, locker rooms, etc. Keep your nails trimmed and clean. And monitor your body when you take antibiotics, as prolonged use can cause yeast to overgrow.

Sources: (Cleveland Clinic) (WebMD) (CDC) (Medical News Today)

See also: Everything you ever wanted to know about bacteria

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