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A fungal infection on your skin might sound challenging to treat, but there are fortunately plenty of effective treatments and products to alleviate them. The board-certified dermatologists at Skin Care Specialists in Mesa, Tempe, and Scottsdale, Arizona, frequently diagnose and treat common fungal infections such as yeast infections, tinea versicolor, and ringworm. To schedule a skin evaluation and treatment consultation, call Skin Care Specialists or request an appointment online today.
Fungal Infections Q&A
What are some common fungal infections of the skin?
You might not realize it, but fungi can grow in and on your skin. These are called fungal infections, and they’re quite common. Fungal infections can also appear on various mucus membranes throughout your body or your lungs.
Skin Care Specialists diagnoses and treats many common fungal infections of the skin and nails. You might be familiar with:
Ringworm
A common fungal infection of the superficial skin, ringworm causes ring-shaped rashes to appear on the groin, inner thighs, scalp, and other areas.
Tinea versicolor
Tinea versicolor is another common superficial skin infection. It causes blotchy discoloration that often appears in warm and humid weather. It’s an overgrowth of a natural skin fungus.
Yeast infections
Yeast infections come from a type of fungi called candida. They can involve rashes, itching, and oozing. They tend to appear in moist, creased areas of your body like your armpits and groin. Yeast infections also cause diaper rash in infants.
Jock itch
Jock itch is a common fungal infection involving itching and chafing in your groin area and upper thighs.
Athlete’s foot
Athlete’s foot is a common fungal infection that can appear on your feet, which tend to become warm and moist when confined in your shoes.
How did I get a fungal infection?
Fungal infections thrive in warm and moist environments. That’s why many of them appear on your skin where you sweat the most. While most fungi don’t infect human skin or tissue, some fungi grow naturally on your skin.
Many fungal infections happen when the natural fungi on your skin overgrows due to heat, sweat, hormone changes, and other factors. You’re also more likely to get a fungal infection if you have a weakened immune system.
Some fungal infections, like ringworm, are contagious. If you come in direct contact with someone else’s fungal infection, it’s possible you’ll develop it yourself. This isn’t true of all fungal infections, but factors like heat and humidity make some of them more likely to spread.
How are fungal infections treated?
The team at Skin Care Specialists treat fungal infections using customized treatment plans based on your fungal infection type and severity. Depending on how mild or severe your case is, the team might recommend or prescribe oral antifungals, topical creams, or medicated shampoos.
To get an evaluation for a possible fungal infection, call Skin Care Specialists or schedule an appointment online today.