Fungal Skin Infections: What Are They?

They may be itchy; they could be embarrassing; they might even bother you. But don’t worry: if you have a fungal type of skin infection, it might not be as serious as you think.

Fungal infections are exactly what they imply: they’re skin infections caused by some kind of fungus and can get passed around fairly quickly. Most of them are easy to treat as they don’t “usually spread beyond the skin’s surface”.

What are these kinds of skin infections? Where are they located? How can I treat them, you might be wondering?

Keep reading to find out!

Athlete’s Foot (Tinea Pedis)

In Filipino, Athlete’s Foot is called alipunga. As the name states, it’s an infection that happens around the feet. It also gets its name from the fact that the infection spreads from locker rooms, gyms, pool areas, towels, shoes, and extended exposure to floods. If you have athlete’s foot, you will see your skin looking cracked, or you may be experiencing some itching or a burning sensation, or seeing skin peel in between your toes.

It helps if you make sure your feet are properly dry before slipping on your socks or shoes. Ensure the socks you wear are clean, not damp; same goes for ensuring you don’t put on damp shoes to avoid further spread of alipunga.

Ringworm (Tinea Corporis)

No, there aren’t any actual worms involved. Ringworm, or buni in Filipino, gets its name from the shape of the fungal infection: that which looks like a worm, curled into a kind of ring. It may appear as a red or silver rash that can be scaly, dry, swollen or itchy. Ringworm is fairly contagious, and you can catch it through close contact with contaminated objects (like bedsheets, combs, or through an infected person), and it can appear on different parts of your body.

When it comes to buni, it’s best to treat it right away before it gets passed on to someone else, or before it spreads to other parts of the body.

Jock Itch (Tinea Cruris)

It’s not exclusive to men; it happens to women, too. Hadhad, which is the condition’s Filipino counterpart, is a fungal infection on the groin area. It occurs usually when the weather is humid and/or you sweat more.

When you happen to work out and sweat is trapped in the groin area, then your hadhad gets activated. Make sure to keep that area clean and dry, wear clean clothes and change your underwear every day. And if at all possible, avoid tight-fitting clothing to minimize the spread of jock itch.

When it comes to treatment for fungal infection, consider antifungal cream to help provide relief from skin itching.

Clotrimazole (Canesten®) can help stop itching caused by skin fungi. We recommend completing the whole duration (2-3 times a day, for 3 to 4 weeks), even if your symptoms disappear, or even if it seems like the infection is clearing up.

If there are no improvements after seven days, or if you may be pregnant, elderly, or have a weakened immune system, consider seeing your doctor.

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