Microorganisms, including fungi, bacteria, molds and yeasts, cover human skin. Under normal circumstances, the skin effectively repels invasion by these microorganisms and they cause no harm. Occasionally, though, an organism breaches the skin's protective barriers and causes an infection. Fungi can infect any part of the skin, though certain types target the keratinized cells found in nails and hair. Curing fungal infections depends on determining the type of fungus involved.
Ringworm
Ringworm is caused by a parasitic fungus that lives on the top layer of the skin. It is highly contagious and can be contracted from an infected person, object or soil, or from touching a pet that carries the fungus. Ringworm, or tinea corporis, causes a red, itchy, circular rash to appear on the body. Depending on the severity of the rash, a physician may recommend an over-the-counter anti-fungal cream, while severe outbreaks may require prescription topical or oral medications. Topical treatments include miconazole, an anti-fungal cream sold under such brand names as Lotrimin AF and Micatin. The Mayo Clinic reports that Lotrisone is an oral medication that includes a combination of clotrimazole, an anti-fungal, and betamethasone, a corticosteroid that combats the itch that often accompanies ringworm.
Nail Infections
Dermatophytes cause most fungal nail infections--up to 90 percent, according to the Cleveland Clinic. The fungus enters through tears under or near the nail. Over time, they damage the nail and nail bed, causing nails to discolor, become dry and brittle, and even to crumble. Curing a fungal nail infection takes time, and it is only considered cured when a new, disease-free nail grows out. Penlac is the brand name of a nail lacquer listed by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of dermatophyte nail infections. It is applied daily to the infected nail and surrounding skin for up to six months. Ciclopirox is the active ingredient in this prescription-only anti-fungal.
Cutaneous Candidiasis
Candida is a common yeast-like fungus that can infect any area of the skin, though it prefers warm, moist environments such as the groin and armpit areas. Candida is the most common cause of diaper rash. Oral thrush is a candida infection of the mucus membranes in the mouth. The Mayo Clinic reports that three out of four women will experience a vaginal infection caused by the Candida albicans fungus. Topical anti-fungals can be used to treat skin, oral and vaginal infections caused by candida. The Mayo Clinic lists miconazole as the active ingredient in Monistat, an over-the-counter treatment for a vaginal candida yeast infection. Clotrimazole is the active ingredient in Gyne-Lotrimin, another over-the-counter treatment. Oral treatments include fluconazole, found in Diflucan. The goal of treating oral thrush is to stop the rapid spread of candida. Because it affects people of every age, including infants, treatment depends on age and any other health concern. Babies may be prescribed mild anti-fungals, while others may be instructed to eat certain yogurts containing live acidophilus cultures, which help to restore normal bacterial flora in the body.
