For example: A vaginal yeast infection usually causes itching and foul discharge from the vagina. A fungal infection on the skin may cause redness, itching, flaking, and swelling. A fungal infection in the lungs may cause coughing, fever, chest pain, and muscle aches. Prevention Some precautions can prevent many fungal infections. Treatment Fungal infections are treated with anti-fungal medications specific to the particular fungus that caused the infection.
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Here are 10 questions you can use to understand fungal infections and know what you need to do to stay healthy. Fungi are everywhere.
Sometimes, they are too small to see with the naked eye. There are millions of fungal species, but only a few hundred of them can make people sick. Mild fungal skin infections can look like a rash and are very common.
For example, ringworm is a skin infection caused by a fungus—not a worm! Fungal infections in the lungs can be more serious and often cause symptoms that are similar to other illnesses, such as bacterial pneumonia or tuberculosis. Because of this, proper diagnosis and treatment are often delayed.
Fungal infections like meningitis and bloodstream infections, are less common than skin and lung infections but can be life-threatening. The more you know about fungal infections and your chances of getting one, the better you can protect your health. Anyone can get a fungal infection, even people who are otherwise healthy.
People breathe in or come in contact with fungal spores every day without getting sick. However, in people with weakened immune systems, these fungi are more likely to cause an infection. These fungi are not distributed evenly in the shaded areas, might not be present everywhere in the shaded areas, and can also be outside the shaded areas.
Join CDC in sharing information to increase awareness in your community about fungal diseases during Fungal Disease Awareness Week , September , Skip directly to site content Skip directly to page options Skip directly to A-Z link. Jock itch can be prevented by wearing loose-fitting natural fibers, such as cotton underwear which is available to buy online. Avoiding contact with others who have the infection is also important. Avoiding shared items, such as towels and sporting equipment may also help.
Tinea corporis or ringworm is a skin infection caused by a fungus that lives on dead tissues, such as the skin, hair, and nails.
When it appears anywhere else on the body, the infection is just called ringworm. Ringworm is usually easy to notice because of its shape. A red patch that may itch or be scaly will often turn into a raised, ring-shaped patch of skin over time. It may even spread out into several rings. The outside of this ring is red and may appear raised or bumpy, while the inside of the ring will remain clear or become scaly. Ringworm is highly contagious, and it can be transmitted by skin-to-skin contact, or from contact with pets, such as dogs.
The fungus may also survive on objects, such as towels, clothes, and brushes. The ringworm fungus also infects soil and mud, so people who play or work in infected dirt may catch ringworm as well. Other skin conditions may look like ringworm, so doctors will usually want to take a skin sample to inspect for the fungus.
After confirming a diagnosis, doctors will recommend a treatment, depending on how severe the symptoms are. Creams and medicated ointments are often sufficient to treat many cases of ringworm, and may be purchased over-the-counter or online. Ringworm of the scalp or severe ringworm may require a prescription. Basic hygiene can help treat and prevent ringworm as well. Keeping the skin clean and dry can help avoid infection.
Safety in public includes wearing sandals into public showers or locker rooms and avoiding shared items and towels. Treatments for ringworm are available for purchase online. Fungal infections are common in humans and are usually not very serious if they are treated quickly and correctly. Anyone with a weakened immune system may be more likely to contract a fungal infection, as well as anyone who is taking antibiotics.
Cancer treatment and diabetes may also make a person more prone to fungal infections.
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