Ringworm infection has nothing to do with worms. The ancient Greeks called the disease "herpes," meaning "circular," because of the distinctive appearance of the rash. The Romans believed the rash had something to do with the larval, worm-like,...
Under normal conditions, the skin is adept at keeping pathogens from invading the body. The uppermost layer of skin is composed of dead, flattened cells. The cells form a barrier on the skin's surface. On top of that, skin has an acid mantle. A...
Dermatophytes are a group of parasitic, microscopic fungi that metabolize keratin, a major protein found in hair, nails and certain skin cells. They cause a number of disorders in humans, including athlete's foot, ringworm and jock itch....
Lamisil is the brand name for the antifungal medication terbinafine. It's available in over-the-counter topical formulations of cream, solution and spray. Lamisil is also available by prescription in tablets and granules to be taken orally....
A variety of infections and disorders can cause feet to itch. Sweaty feet, synthetic-fabric socks, tight shoes and shoes made of occlusive materials can make the condition worse. Determining the cause of the itch is imperative to correctly treat...
The constant supply of moisture, in the form of perspiration, tight clothing, skin creases where chaffing can occur, and the normal proliferation of fungi and bacteria on the skin, make the inner groin area an ideal location for skin disorders to...
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...
Jock itch is a fungal infection in the groin area. Dermatophytes, the fungal group that causes jock itch, can infect other areas of the body as well. They can infect the scalp and beard area, causing bald patches. On the feet, the fungi can...
Ringworm of the body is just one of a number of diseases caused by the group of fungi known as dermatophytes. Other dermatophyte infections include jock itch and athlete's foot. The opportunistic dermatophyte fungus is microscopic, small enough...
Tinea pedis (athlete's foot) is a fungal infection caused by one of several types of mold-like fungi called dermatophytes. The characteristics of tinea pedis infections may vary slightly from person to person, depending on the specific...
Molds, yeasts and fungi all belong to the fungi kingdom. Some of these, including candida albicans and malassezia, commonly reside on the skin without causing harm. When skin is injured or cut, fungi have the opportunity to enter skin and cause...
Tinea capitis, or scalp ringworm, occurs when dermatophytes infect the hair follicle. Bald spots, itching of the scalp and pus-filled lesions called kerions develop. The round, scaly sores are usually red and inflamed, or may appear as small black...
Dyshidrosis is a chronic skin condition characterized by often painful hand and feet blisters. Dyshidrosis has been linked with exercise because the name means abnormal sweating, but no scientific evidence supports an association between exercise...
Tea tree oil is an extract obtained by steam distillation from leaves of the evergreen tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia), a shrub that is indigenous to Australia. For centuries, aboriginal Australians have known and made use of its healing powers....
While few people want to shout about fungal infections, those that affect the skin seem particularly distressing. Rashes, discoloration and peeling skin may cause physical discomfort as well as embarrassment, with moisturizers and cosmetics...
Ringworm is a contagious skin infection common among babies and children. The belief that ringworm is caused by worms is a widespread misconception. Ringworm is the common name for tinea corporis, a fungal infection, which forms ringlike patterns...
Jock itch is an infection caused by dermatophytes and is clinically known as Tinea cruris. It usually has symptoms such as itching, burning and rash of the groin or genital area. The organism that may infect the groin area of both men and women...
Recently, interest is growing in the use of an alternative antifungal remedy called neem, which has been used routinely in Pakistan and India for many years. Properties of extracts of neem leaf, bark and seeds have been studied clinically and...
Nail fungus is called onychomycosis and can affect fingernails and toenails. This fungal infection is most commonly caused by the dermatophyte fungi can can infect a single nail or more than one. The Mayo Clinic notes a nail fungus is more common...
Tinea pedis is the medical term referring to athlete's foot, a common fungal infection that develops on your feet. The disorder typically appears between the toes where skin tends to remain moist for long periods of time. The neem tree yields...
Jock itch, medically referred to as "tinea cruris," is a fungal infection of the groin area. The name jock itch refers to a higher prevalence of the infection in athletes as opposed to the general population and to the sometimes intense itch that...
Fungi are decomposers, meaning they break things down, including the human body. In particular, parasitic fungi feed on live hosts and are responsible for numerous human diseases called mycoses, ranging from skin infections to serious respiratory...
Fungus under or on a toenail can be unsightly and difficult to treat. A nail fungal infection, also called onychomycosis, can affect both the nails of the fingers and toes, and is caused by the fungi dermatophyte. The Mayo Clinic says that a...
A fungus loves places where it can grow and thrive. A fungal infection occurs in areas that are moist, dark and warm--frequently in toenails squashed inside shoes, but also in fingernails. Anytime your nails are kept in that kind of environment,...
Just like people, fungus comes in many forms. The symptoms of a fungal infection can vary based on individual constitution, method of infection and the duration of the problem. The type of fungus involved represents another important factor that...
Treating infected nails is time-consuming and difficult, and relapse is common. A nail infected by a fungus will change in appearance. Common changes include thickening of the nail, and nails that become brittle, dull, crumbly, distorted or...
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...
Fungi are organisms that thrive in moist dark environments. Fungal infection of toenails (also known as onychomycosis or tinea unguium) is most commonly caused by Trichophyton rubrum, a dermatophyte. There are several available treatment options...
Ringworm infections are not caused by worms but rather by fungi collectively called dermatophytes. These fungi are commonly associated with hair, skin and nail infections. Dermatophytes gravitate to moist parts of the skin, such as folds or...
