Fungal infections
Fungal infections
Overview
There are different types of fungal infections. These can affect different areas of the body like the scalp, feet, groin and nails.
These fungal infections are known as ‘tinea’. They’re not usually serious and can be easily treated. However, they’re contagious and spread easily.
Types of fungal infection
There are different types of fungal infection, including:
- athlete’s foot
- fungal nail infection
- fungal scalp infection (tinea capitis)
- ringworm
Common Symptoms
Symptom information is not available for this condition yet.
⚠️ This symptom list is for educational purposes. Having these symptoms does not mean you have this condition. See a doctor for proper diagnosis.
Medicines Commonly Used
⚠️ These medicines are commonly used for confirmed diagnoses of this condition. This is NOT a recommendation or prescription. Treatment must be determined by your doctor.
No medicines have been linked to this condition yet.
Causes
What causes fungal infections?
Fungal infections are caused by a particular type of fungi, called dermatophytes. These live off keratin. Keratin is a tough, waterproof tissue found in many parts of your body, including your skin, hair and nails. This is why fungal infections mostly affect your skin, scalp or nails.
These fungi are tough enough to survive for months on your skin, in soil or on household objects, like combs or towels. They also thrive in heat and moisture, which helps them grow. This means they can spread more easily in swimming pool changing rooms and shared showers.
Who's most at risk of fungal infections?
Anyone can get a fungal infection. However, some types may be more common in children.
How fungal infections are passed on
Fungal spores are passed between people through:
- direct skin contact
- contact with an infected object like towels, hairbrushes and bedding
- contact with an infected animal
- contact with infected soil, though this is less common
Diagnosis
Ringworm and other fungal infections are usually easy to diagnose just by how they look and where they are on the body.
Treatment
Speak to your local pharmacist about treatments for fungal infections. Your pharmacist can:
- offer advice on how to treat your symptoms
- suggest which medication to take
- advise you on whether you need to speak to your GP practice about your symptoms
Treatment for fungal infections
Most fungal infections, including ringworm, are easily treated using antifungal medicine. This may be a:
- cream
- tablet
- gel
- spray
- shampoo
If the skin is irritated or broken, it can lead to other bacterial infections. This may need to be treated with antibiotics.
Prevention
There are things you can do to stop a fungal infection from spreading further.
Do
- get treatment for a fungal infection as soon as possible
- check yourself for signs of infection if you have been in contact with someone who has ringworm
- take your pet to the vet if you think it might have ringworm, for example if it has patches of missing fur
- wash your hands after touching animals or soil
- wash towels and bedsheets regularly
- keep your skin clean
- wash your hands regularly to help prevent the infection from spreading
- dry your skin well after washing, taking care to dry between your toes and in the folds of your skin
Don't
- don't scratch the affected area, as this can spread the infection to other parts of your body
- don't share personal items such as a towel, clothing or bed linen if someone has athlete's foot