How Long Does Fungal Skin Infection Take To Clear Up

Fungal Skin Infection Symptoms
- What Are Symptoms of Skin Fungal Infections?
Causes
- What Causes Skin Fungal Infections?
Diagnosis
- How Are Skin Fungal Infections Diagnosed?
Guide
- How To Treat Skin Fungal Infections Topic Guide

Skin fungal infections are skin diseases caused by fungus, including yeast (Candida), seborrhoeic dermatitis, and ringworm. Treatment includes over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription topical antifungal products.

Skin fungal infections are skin diseases caused by fungus, such as mold or mildew.

The most common types of fungus that affect the skin include:

Yeast infections
- Candida
  - Diaper rash
  - Oral thrush
  - Vaginal yeast infection
Malassezia
- Seborrhoeic dermatitis
Dermatophyte infections (ringworm)
- Tinea corporis (fungal infection of the scalp)
- Tinea cruris ("jock itch")
- Tinea pedis ("athlete's foot")
- Tinea capitis (fungal infection of the scalp)
- Tinea barbae (fungal infection of the beard)
- Tinea unguium (dermatophyte onychomycosis) (fungal infection of the nails)

General steps to take to treat and prevent skin fungal infections include:

Keep affected skin clean and dry
Ensure you dry thoroughly between the toes and in the skin folds; use a hair dryer if needed
Do not share towels
Clean the shower or bath using bleach
Wash socks, towels, and bathmats at a temperature of at least 140°F (60°C)

Fungal spores can survive for long periods. Once the infection has gone away, steps you can take to reduce the chance of reinfection include:

Keep skin clean and dry
Dry off completely after showering or bathing
Athletes involved in close contact sports should shower immediately after practice and keep sports gear clean
Athletes should not share sports gear with others
Don't go barefoot in locker rooms or public showers
Wear loose shoes that allow air to circulate freely around the feet
Keep fingernails and toenails clean and trimmed short
Do not share clothing, towels, sheets, or personal items with an infected person
Wash hands with soap and water after playing with pets
- If you suspect your pet has ringworm, take them to a veterinarian
- Vacuum areas the pet occupies
- Disinfect surfaces and thoroughly launder pet bedding

Medical treatment for skin fungal infections includes:

Over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription topical antifungal products
Extensive or recurrent infections may require systemic (oral) antifungal therapy

What Are Symptoms of Skin Fungal Infections?

Symptoms of a yeast infection on the skin may include:

Skin inflammation
Itchy skin
Moist skin
Skin peeling or cracks in the skin
Red and white skin
Small superficial papules and pustules
Secondary bacterial infection that may cause an unpleasant odor

Dermatophyte infections (ringworm) affect the skin, fingernails, and toenails. Symptoms of dermatophyte infections appear within 4 days to 2 weeks after coming into contact with the fungi that cause ringworm.

Symptoms of dermatophyte infections include:

Ring-shaped rash
Skin redness
Scaly, cracked skin
Skin swelling
Itching
Hair loss/bald spot
Blisters
Deep fungal infections

What Causes Skin Fungal Infections?

Yeast infections are caused by a fungus called Candida albicans. Most people have a small amount of Candida on or in the body, but when it grows out of control it can develop into an infection.

Risk factors for developing a yeast infection include:

A weakened immune system, such as from HIV or cancer treatment or other causes
Obesity, especially in people who have large skin rolls where fungi can thrive
Type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes
Prolonged use of antibiotics
Genetic tendency to skin disease
Excessive sweating
Age
Smoking
Alcohol
In infants, exposure to sweat, urine, and feces in the diaper area

Ringworm is a skin condition caused by dermatophytes, a type of fungus that lives on the dead outer layer of skin. The condition is called "ringworm" because it can cause a circular rash shaped like a ring. There is no worm involved.

How Are Skin Fungal Infections Diagnosed?

To diagnose a yeast infection, a doctor will perform a physical exam.

Tests that may be used to help diagnose a yeast infection include:

Swab of the vagina, penis, or skin for bacterial culture
Skin scraping to culture fungi
Skin biopsy if the skin condition is unusual or does not respond to treatment

Dermatophyte infections (ringworm) can often be diagnosed with a physical examination of the affected skin. Tests that may be indicated to diagnose ringworm include:

Skin scraping to be examined under a microscope or sent to a laboratory for a fungal culture

Ultraviolet light — can only diagnose two species: Microsporum canis and audouinii

QUESTION

Ringworm is caused by a fungus. See Answer

Reviewed on 4/27/2021

References

https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/ringworm/index.html

https://www.uptodate.com/contents/dermatophyte-tinea-infections?search=fungal%20skin%20infection&source=search_result&selectedTitle=1~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=1

https://dermnetnz.org/topics/fungal-skin-infections/

https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/candidiasis/index.html