Fungal Infection Treatment
Skin fungal infections can be uncomfortable, inconvenient, and embarrassing. Moreover, if left unaddressed, they can spread all over the body, as well as to other people. The team at IDI offers comprehensive treatment strategies for skin fungal infections, helping patients overcome troubling symptoms and maintain clear and healthy skin.
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What are Fungal Infections?
Fungal infections of the skin occur when you come into contact with a class of fungi called dermatophytes. They are highly transmissible – it only requires brief contact to establish a fungal infection. The contact may be skin-to-skin, from clothing, objects, or infected pets.
Fungal infections are commonly classified by the parts of the body in which they’ve caused a reaction. The three most common are:
- Ringworm: An infection of the skin and scalp
- Athlete’s foot: A fungal infection of the toes and feet
- Jock itch: A fungal infection of the groin area
Ringworm is one of the most common types of fungal infection. It causes the eruption of slightly raised, red, scaly, itchy round or oval patches on your skin. When ringworm is established on the scalp, it can cause significant hair loss and breakage, as well as itching and discomfort.
When a dermatophyte infection spreads to the foot, it’s known as “athlete’s foot.” The most common form of athlete’s foot causes cracking of the skin between the toes, peeling, itching, and burning. In rare cases, blistering may occur on the soles, heels, and toes.
A fungal infection that attacks the genitals, inner thighs, and buttocks is considered “jock itch.” It causes red, odorous, inflamed, and tender patches on the skin.
Diagnosis Process
Your doctor will conduct a visual examination, and possibly take a hair sample (for scalp ringworm) and a skin sample for further examination.
Treatment Options
Mild cases of ringworm on the skin can generally be treated with over-the-counter topical antifungal medications. In general, it takes between two and four weeks for a mild infection to clear up with over-the-counter topical products.
For moderate or severe cases, or for ringworm of the scalp, an oral antifungal medication will be prescribed. A full course of treatment may take between four and six weeks.
At IDI, we are proud to help patients of all ages and backgrounds overcome a broad scope of skin conditions and achieve beautiful, healthy complexions. If you’re suffering from a fungal infection or another skin ailment, please contact the team at IDI for an appointment today.