Body Parts Prone to Fungal Infections

Which body parts are prone to fungal infections?

Feet and Hands

Common fungal infections usually affect your feet and hands. Occasionally, fingernails could also get affected after scratching the infected areas. They thicken and become yellowish.¹⁷ These fungal infections may come from sharing personal items like towels, shoes, socks, and underwear. But they can also come from being in contact with contaminated damp surfaces like shared bathroom floors and gym locker rooms.

One example is alipunga (athlete’s foot) or tinea pedis. Athlete’s foot symptoms include redness/whiteness, peeling, cracking, and itching in between toes. They can also manifest as blisters on the feet’s soles and heels.

Groin and Skin Folds

The groin and areas with skin folds like buttocks and thighs are prone to hadhad (jock itch) or tinea cruris. Men commonly experience this since they sweat more after physical activities. Jock itch symptoms include red ring-like patches and itching. Additionally, the foot’s fungal infection can also travel upward when putting on underwear without wearing socks first.

Scalp

Tinea capitis causes scalp ringworm, commonly experienced by children ages 2 to 10. Symptoms include scaly, itchy, red scalp, and even hair loss in some areas.5 If left untreated, there can be permanent bald spots.

Face, Neck, Chest, Back, Arms, and Legs

Tinea versicolor causes skin discoloration, mild itching, and scaling in these areas.7 It’s common during puberty where oil glands are more active making the skin sweaty, warm, moist, and oily enough for fungal growth.

Beard

The chin, cheeks, and upper neck can be scaly and itchy. They can have red pus spots too as well as hair fall out.