Among the dozens of fungal infections with strange, tongue-twisting and often pretty horrible names, like keratomycosis, aspergillosis, histoplasmosis or entomophthoramycosis, fungal infections, which affect human skin, seem to be the most loyal (in terms of pronunciation efforts) to human speech producing organs. Besides, skin infections, such as dermatophytosis and candidosis, are said to be the most common human disorders, where fungus is the main culprit. Since candidosis infections, which are caused by a specific group of fungi and usually affect specific areas of the human body, are worth of a separate article, below let us focus on purely skin fungal infections with the collective name “dermatophytosis”.
So, skin fungal infections, known to scientists as dermatophytosis, are caused by a family of fungi, called dermatophytes. It is interesting to note, that this organisms are also known as ringworm fungi… Interesting (and calming as well) fact is that this class of fungi has nothing to do with worms – the name just denotes the ring-shaped lesions, which appear on the skin surface because of fungi. In general, there are approximately 40 species of ringworm fungi, recognized at present, but scientists say that not more than a dozen of them is associated with skin infections in humans.
Ringworm fungi prefer living on the warm, moist areas of the skin surface; especially they like to inhabit skin folds, areas between the toes, under the breasts, in the groin area, etc. Usually, skin fungal infections are classified in accordance with the place of disorder localization. The most common and widely-spread skin fungal infections are athlete’s foot, jock itch, scalp and nail ringworm and body ringworm.
This fungal infection is said to affect up to 20% of teens or adult males. The disorder manifests itself through whitening and scaling of the skin between the toes, sometimes affecting the whole sole. Itchy rash and blisters may also develop. Athlete’s foot is a contagious condition. One can get infected in the communal bathing facilities, pools and showers. Wearing of occlusive footwear also contributes greatly to the progression of the disorder, because heat and moisture are essential for the fungi growth.
This type of skin fungal infection develops in the skin folds of the genital area, perianal and pubic region, and sometimes can even spread to the upper thighs. Jock itch is much more common in men than in women. The signs of this condition are red, ring-like patches in the groin area, which cause itching and pain. Interesting to note, that jock itch usually does not affect the skin on the scrotum. Anyway, this is a highly contagious disorder - one can get infection from his own feet or hands, or from another person through direct or indirect contact (through towel, linen, clothing, etc.)
This is a highly contagious fungal infection, involving scalp hair and skin. The condition is common for children, but it rarely affects adult people. The common signs are scaly, round patches on the scalp skin. Besides, local inflammatory processes, as well as hair loss, may also occur. This type of skin fungal infection can vary from mild scaling (similar to seborrheic dermatitis) and hair loss to widespread alopecia; that is why it is recommended to contact a dermatologist as soon as possible to prevent the further development of the disorder.
Once affected by fungus, toe nails or less often finger nails become yellow or discolored, thickened or even deformed. The condition may affect only one nail, a couple of them, or in the most severe cases – all of the nails. It is worthy to note that nail fungal infections are pretty difficult to treat, - consequently, the quicker one is examined - the more effective treatment will be.
This term is used to denote the fungal infection of one or both hands. One can get the infection from contaminated soil or during the contact with another person with fungal infection. Acquiring an infection via contact with contaminated hand tools, towels, etc, is also possible.
This is a fungal skin infection, which usually develops anywhere on the body, including trunk, legs and arms, but excluding the groin, hands and feet. It is often referred to as just ringworm and it manifests itself through round scaly patches with red borders and white center. It is interesting to note that human-to-human spread of this infection is unusual – in the majority of cases one gets infections from household pets, farm animals or contaminated soil.
Once an American comic and actor W.C. Fields said “A wonderful drink, wine… Did you ever hear of an Italian grape crusher with athlete’s foot?” Well, perhaps, at the beginning of the 20th century there were some grape crushers with untreated athlete’s foot, but nowadays, this condition, as well as other skin fungal infections, can be pretty effectively treated and eliminated… So, have a good time enjoying some wine :-) and do not think about grape crushers, at least, because nowadays this kind of work is performed by machines that do not suffer from fungal infections.
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