Fungal infections of the skin may affect the feet, groin, scalp, or nails. Fungi grow best in warm, moist areas of the skin, such as between the toes, in the groin, and the area beneath the breasts.
Athlete's foot is the
most common fungal skin infection. Symptoms include cracked, blistered, and peeling areas between the toes, redness and scaling on the soles, and
intense itching. It rarely affects children before puberty; if it does, it may resemble eczema. Athlete's foot often recurs and must be treated again each time.
Jock itch (tinea cruris) causes severe itching and moistness on the skin of the groin and upper thighs. There may
be red, scaly, raised areas on the skin that weep or ooze pus or clear fluid.
Ringworm is a contagious fungal infection of the scalp or body. It is not caused by worms. Its symptoms include round spots that may be scaly and itchy. It may appear on the torso as a small, red, scaly spot that itches and grows until it is about an inch across. It is more common in children than in adults.
Fungal infections of the fingernails and toenails cause discoloration, thickening, and often softening of the nails. They are difficult to treat and often cause permanent damage to the nails.
Thrush is a yeast infection that occurs in the mouth, especially in babies. It causes a white coating inside the mouth, often on the cheeks, that may look like milk but is hard to remove.
Prevention
Keep the feet clean and dry. Dry well between the toes after swimming or bathing,
Wear leather shoes or sandals that allow your feet to "breathe," and wear cotton socks to absorb sweat. Use powder on your feet and in your shoes. Give shoes 24 hours to dry between wearings.
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