Fungal Infections: 7 Types, Causes, Risk Factors, Symptoms, and Home Remedies

A fungal infection is a disease caused by a fungus. This disease is contagious between humans. In some cases, fungal infections can also be transmitted from infected animals or objects contaminated with fungi.

Fungi are organisms that can grow naturally. In fact, some species of fungi can live on the skin and organs in the human body. Although generally harmless, some types of fungus can cause serious health problems.

Fungal infections in humans most often occur on the skin. However, fungal infections can also attack other parts of the body, such as the lungs, blood flow, and the protective layer of the brain and spinal cord (meninges).

Fungal infections can be experienced by anyone, especially people who do not care about personal hygiene. In addition, people with weak endurance are also at risk of fungal infections, such as people with HIV / AIDS, chemotherapy patients, and patients who have recently undergone organ transplants.

Fungal Infections Types

Some common fungal infections include:

• Athlete’s foot, also called tinea pedis, usually spreads when people walk barefoot in a public bathroom or locker room. The skin becomes white and peels easily. In addition, it can also affect the soles of the lower feet.
• Onychomycosis: a fungal infection that attacks the fingers or toes. Nails become yellow, thick, and break easily.
• Jock itch (tinea cruris): rash and itching in the groin area. Generally attack men rather than women.
• Ringworm of the scalp (tinea capitis): mostly occurs in children. This infection causes hair loss, but can heal with proper treatment.
• Vagi**nal candidiasis: caused by Candida fungus, commonly called vagi**nal yeast infection.
• Mouth candidiasis: throat, and esophagus (oral): caused by Candida fungus.
• Ringworm: characterized by a ring-shaped circular rash

Fungal Infections Causes

Different types of fungi can cause infection in humans. One of the most common is the dermatophyte fungi group, such as Trycophyton, Microsporum, and Epidermophyton. This type of fungus likes to live on human skin from the tip of the hair to the tip of the toenails.

People who are susceptible to fungal infections include:

• People who live in a humid climate.
• People who sweat easily
• People who often use tight clothing with materials that do not easily absorb sweat
• People who have family members or pets infected with the fungus
• People with low endurance.

Fungal Infections Risk Factors

In fact, fungal infections can occur in anyone indiscriminately.

However, the risk of fungal infection is higher in individuals with weakened immune systems.

Some people with certain conditions may also increase their risk of fungal infections.

Here are the risk factors that cause fungal infections:

• Infants or older persons who wet the bed wearing diapers.
• People with large skin folds.
• People who wear dentures.
• People who take antibiotics.
• People undergoing cancer treatment.
• People with other health conditions, such as HIV or diabetes.

Fungal Infections Symptoms

Fungal infections cause signs of redness in the skin that usually look around. But on the skin in the center of the circle usually looks healthier. It can also be accompanied by peeling skin.

This skin disorder is accompanied by itching. The parts of the skin that often experience fungal infections are in the abdominal and back areas (tinea corporis), groin (tinea cruris), and between the toes (tinea pedis).

Not only in the skin, fungal infections can also attack the scalp and hair (tinea capitis). Symptoms are broken or hair loss, itchy scalp, can be accompanied by the appearance of dandruff.

Fungal infection home remedies

What lifestyle changes or home remedies can be done to overcome fungal infections (tinea infections)?

Here are lifestyle and home remedies that can help you cope with tinea infections:

• Use the drug as directed.
• The condition of the body must remain clean. Take a shower every day.
• Keep the affected part of the skin fungus clean and dry.
• Do not scratch or rub on the infected area.
• Don’t share personal items with others.
• Avoid using the bathroom in public places.
• Wear comfortable underwear (to prevent thigh tinea).
• Use cotton socks and sneakers with small holes for better air circulation to keep your feet dry (to prevent foot tinea).
• Wear clean, dry clothes. Avoid wearing nylon. Wear cotton clothing or clothing that absorbs sweating.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.

Health Beauty Idea does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.