Everything You Need to Know About Skin Fungal Infections

With most of India being humid, skin fungal infections are not uncommon. If you notice any symptoms of a fungal infection you should consult a dermatologist. While readily available ointments of home remedies are great for temporary relief, they do not serve as long-term solutions. Here are some things that you must know about fungal infections to help you seek the right treatment.

Dr. Dipendra Gurung is renowned Skin Specialist of Siliguri and visits multiple other locations near Siliguri. If you ask me, you can visit Senior Skin Specialist in Siliguri, Kurseong, Kalimpong and Jorethang (Sikkim) every week.

What is A Fungal Infection?

Fungal infections are caused by fungi, which are microorganisms known to infect humans. There are countless species of fungi and they can cause a range of diseases which can be life-threatening at times.

It can be anything between a simple infection that affects the upper layers of your skin to something more threatening like a blood stream infection. Most skin infections are caused by coming into contact with other infected humans, plants or animals.

Symptoms to Look Out For

It is very easy to identify symptoms of fungal infections. They include rashes or redness in any part of the body, scaly or flaky skin, or occluded skin. Most skin infections affect parts of your body that do not get exposed to sunlight like skin folds and the groin area.

What Can You Do to Prevent Fungal Infections?

Here are some quick tips that you can follow to avoid suffering from fungal infections:

• Develop better hygiene, specially during the summer and monsoons.
• Avoid tight clothing.
• Change your towels and footwear regularly.
• Do not bath in unclean conditions.
• Avoid unhygienic gyms, swimming pools and public spaces.

When Should You Consult A Dermatologist?

If you notice symptoms that indicate you have a skin infection you should consult a dermatologist immediately. Getting advice as soon as possible is important to avoid any further complications. If you notice any itchy patches of skin for more than a week, it is strongly recommended to visit a dermatologist.

What Types of Fungal Infections Are There?

Superficial fungal infections are among the most common. They only affect the upper layer of your skin and are mostly caused by ringworms. Deeper infections are rarer and affect the tissues of your skin. The most serious type of fungal infections are the ones that affect your blood stream. Fungal infections can not only affect your skin but also nails and hair.

Can I Reuse Previously-Prescribed Medication for Fungal Infections?

It is usually safe to reuse anti-fungal creams as long as the infection is exterior in nature. But consulting a dermatologist is always the safer option before going ahead with any form of serious treatment. There are no home remedies available for fungal infections but maintaining cleanliness of your body and your living conditions is very important.

Can Fungal Infections Reoccur?

Infections can reoccur if you are exposed to dangerous fungus in the environment or your living conditions. Humans are not capable of developing immunity to fungal infections, thus Fungal Infection can reoccur.

Dos and Don’ts of Fungal Infection Treatment

DOS

• Always follow the medical treatment prescribed to you
• Follow through with your medication and treatment even if your fungal infection heals
• Keep the affected area dry at all times

DON’TS

• Do not buy and use anti-fungal creams with steroids
• Do not share used clothes or towels with others
• Do not scratch the infected area with any object or nails

Treatment for Fungal Infection

Depending on how severe your infection is, you will be prescribed treatment accordingly. Infections that are limited to the exterior skin require ointments or creams. If you are suffering from a more extensive infection, you may be required to undergo medication.

The duration of your treatment for Fungal Infection also depends on how severe your infection is. Sometimes controlling cholesterol, diabetes or blood pressure may also be required to aid treatment.

It can take anything between a few weeks to several months to fully heal from a fungal infection. Even if the exterior signs of an infection disappear you need to stick to the prescribed treatment for the full course.