Red, burning, itchy skin due to fungal infections can be disruptive to your daily activities. Effective treatment depends on the type of infection. The most common types of cutaneous fungal infections include dermatophytosis, candidiasis and tinea versicolor. Each of these types of infections is caused by a different organism and requires specific treatment. Your doctor is best suited to diagnose your infection and recommend the appropriate therapy. Some simple preventive measures after treatment may prevent recurrence.
Dermatophytosis and Treatment
Dermatophytosis is caused by fungal molds that infect the skin, hair and nails. Tinea corporis is a fungal infection of the hairless skin on the body. It is commonly referred to as “ringworm”. Lesions appear as ring-shaped reddened areas. Tinea cruris is a fungal infection involving the groin. More common in males, the rash is reddish and scaling with eruptions.
Tinea pedis is a fungal infection of the foot. The infection produces reddish, scaling, itchy areas between the toes. Onychomycosis or tinea unguium is a fungal infection of the nails. Nails appear thickened and discolored.
Corporis, cruris and pedis infections are treated with the drug classes imidazoles and allylamines. Imidazoles include clotrimazole, miconazole, econazole, ketoconazole, oxiconazole and sulconazole. Imidazoles have a wide range of activity against the fungi. Allylamines include naftifine and terbafine. The allylamines inhibit the synthesis of ergosterol in the fungus. All of these drugs are available as a topical cream. Onychomycosis is treated with ciclopirox olamine, which is a nail lacquer. Side effects of the imidazoles and allylamine drug classes may include stinging, itching, redness, and local irritation of the skin.
Candidiasis and Treatment
Candidiasis is caused by the fungal yeast Candida albicans. Common infections include yeast vaginitis and severe diaper rash. Candida infection produces a painful, reddened, itchy rash. Treatment includes miconazole, clotrimazole or nystatin. Nystatin is useful against candidiasis but not dermatophyte infection. Nystatin cream is nonirritating with no common side effects.
Tinea Versicolor and Treatment
Tinea versicolor is caused by the dimorphic fungus, Malassezia furfur. The infection produces a scaly whitish or reddened rash on the torso. The lesions cause mild itching. Tinea versicolor is treated with topical selenium sulfide shampoo, which prevents the fungus from growing. Selenium sulfide shampoo may cause hives, difficulty breathing, facial swelling, itchiness, redness and drying of the skin.
Prevention
Fungi grow in a hot, moist environment. Keep your skin and nails clean and dry. Wear absorbent cotton socks when exercising. Protective footwear in public showers may reduce exposure to some fungi. Babies' diapers should be changed often. Their skin should be cleaned and dried during each diaper change.
References
- “Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine 17th ed.”; Anthony S. Fauci, et al; 2008
- “Burton’s Microbiology for the Health Sciences 8th ed.”; Paul G. Engelkirk, et al;2007
- “Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease 8th ed.”; Vinay Kumar, et al; 2010
- “Basic and Clinical Pharmacology, 9th ed.”; Bertram G. Katzung;2004
- “ American Family Physicians”; “Common Hyperpigmentation Disorders in Adults: Part II. Melanoma, Seborrheic Keratoses, Acanthosis Nigricans, Melasma, Diabetic Dermopathy, Tinea Versicolor, and Postinflammatory Hyperpigmentation”; Daniel L. Stulberg, M.D., et al;November;2003
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