Everything about Fungal Infection – Types, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

Fungal infection, most common among humans in the world. Probably everybody gets affected by fungal infection at some stage in life. It is common and is mostly caused due to the harmful fungi present in air, water, soil and plants. Fungal infection is not always dangerous but if it is left untreated or shows long-term consequences then it can get scary; but not if the infection is diagnosed and treated on time. In fact, meningitis and bloodstream fungal infections can be deadly. So, make sure, you do not delay in treatment and immediately get it checked by the doctor. Fungi are very difficult to kill as it tends to reoccur, especially people with low immune are quite easily prone to fungal infections.

Types of fungal infections:

Following are the common types of fungal infections:

• Ringworm – A ring shape red patch appears on the skin

• Athlete’s foot – Fungus grown in a warm and moist situation, particularly people who wear continuously shoes and socks

• Yeast infection – Fungus candida which results in overgrowth of yeast causing infection in the vagina

• Jock itch – Itchy, red rash around the inner thighs, buttocks or groin

• Onychomycosis – Fungal infection affecting toenails

Common Symptoms of Fungal Infection:

Usually, the symptoms depend upon the type of fungal infection but there are few symptoms which are common that includes:

• Redness on skin
• Itchy skin
• Skin cracking or peeling
• Burning sensation
• Skin irritation

Who are more Prone to Fungal Infections?

Anybody can get affected by fungal infection, however, there are some set of people who are easily prone to fungal infections:

• People with low immune or weak immune, especially children, older people
• People suffering from diseases or infections like HIV, diabetes, cancer and AIDS
• People who have a tendency of sweating (sweat clothes and shoes increases the chances of fungal growth)
• People who are too much in weight, obese having skin folds
• People having a genetic tendency towards fungal infections
• People who are more spending time in a moist environment (public showers, swimming pools, locker rooms)

Is Fungal Infection Contagious?

Fungal infections are mostly spread from environment to person and not person to person. Hence it is not always contagious. However, jock itchy can be mildly contagious while lung fungal infection like pneumonia might also spread from person to person.

Diagnosis of Fungal Infection:

When the fungal spores encounter the skin or are inhaled, fungal infection occurs. To diagnose most of the skin fungal infections, the doctor generally diagnoses the infection by either scraping or scaling the skin. Further, the doctor collects skin, nail and hair tissue for culture and microscopy, Swab test – fungal culture test is done to detect yeast.

Fungal Infection Treatment:

Antifungal medications like spray, cream, ointments or oral drugs are prescribed for treating fungal infection. Most of skin fungal infections are easily treated and cured by over-the-counter treatments or prescribed ointments. Even essential oils can be used as natural remedy to treat fungal infections. Severe infections might require treatment as prescribed by the doctor.

With dedicated sessions covering molecular diagnostics development and challenges in diagnosis & treatment, including key highlighting sessions such as discussion on the treatment and diagnosis of fungal infection, flu, Hepatitis C, Antibiotic Resistance: consequences of overtreating infectious diseases and more, the agenda for the 2^nd Annual MarketsandMarkets Infectious Diseases Diagnostics Conference is worth checking.

The conference will take place on 28^th February – 1^st March 2019 at Hotel Novotel London West, UK. Write on [email protected] to know more about Registration/Sponsorship at the conference.