Fungal Skin or Nail Infections

You don't catch yeast infections. The yeast is already there. A number of factors can increase the chance of the yeast growing out of control:

• Overuse of antibiotics. Yeast must compete for the right to live on us with various other species, many of them bacteria. These bacteria, which live on the skin and in the intestine and vagina, among other places, are harmless but good at fighting off yeast. When we take antibiotics to deal with less friendly bacteria, we kill off these harmless ones as well. Yeast, which is unaffected by antibiotics, moves into the vacated spots once occupied by bacteria, and starts to grow and multiply.
• Steroids and some cancer medications weaken the immune system and can allow yeast to flourish.
• Obesity, diabetes, and pregnancy also encourage yeast infections. Yeast generally infects intertriginous areas (areas where skin contacts skin). Overweight people have more folds in their skin. They also sweat more, and candida albicans is fond of moist skin. Moist diapers can also provide a good environment for the yeast to grow. People with diabetes have high blood glucose and increased glucose levels in other body secretions, which encourages the growth of yeast. Pregnancy causes temporary weight gain and may temporarily weaken the immune system.
• Having your hands in the water frequently or having a poorly done manicure can increase the risk of yeast nail infections.

Dermatophyte infections are potentially contagious. You usually catch them through direct contact with another person or with an animal. You can also catch them through soil contact or contact with objects that an infected person has touched, although this is less common.

A yeast infection of the skin appears as a clearly defined patch of red, itchy skin. Sometimes this rash can leak fluid. Often small red bumps, or pustules, are also present around the edge of the rash. Scabs may appear there as well. The yeast infection will usually be found in areas such as the groin; the folds of the buttocks; between the breasts, toes, or fingers; in the diaper area; and in the navel. Yeast infections of the skin of the penis are rare but may cause the tip to be red, swollen, and painful.

A yeast infection of the nails, also called Candidal paronychia, can cause a painful red swelling of the affected area that may leak fluid later. In worse cases, the fingernail may separate, showing a discoloured white or yellow nail bed (the skin underneath the nail). This is usually a result of inflammation, and often the inflammation around the nails needs to be treated before the infection can be addressed.

Tinea versicolor skin infections lead to scaly patches that vary in colour from white to brown. The patches are usually found on the chest, stomach, or neck and may also be found on the face. The affected areas do not tan, so the infection may only be noticeable in the summer. The rash is usually not itchy.

A dermatophyte infection of the skin produces a red, scaly rash that is often round and may be clear at the centre. In more severe cases, there may also be blisters in the affected area. The rash may be itchy.

Dermatophyte nail infections cause the nails to become dull, thickened, and discoloured. Eventually the nail separates from the toe and may fall off. These infections are more common on the toenails than the fingernails.

To make a diagnosis, your doctor will ask about your diet and recent use of antibiotics or medications that can weaken the immune system. Your doctor will also consider any history you may have of diabetes, cancer, HIV, or other chronic diseases. These factors can increase your risk of yeast infections.

Yeast infections are easy to identify. The yeast can be seen under the microscope after being scraped off the affected area. However, since yeast is normally there anyway, your doctor will want to confirm that it's Candida albicans causing the problem and not something else.

Dermatophyte and tinea versicolor infections can be diagnosed after scales have been scraped off and examined under the microscope.

To help minimize your risk of developing a yeast or dermatophyte infection on the skin, try a few of these tips:

• keep your skin dry
• keep your skin clean
• avoid direct contact with a person with a yeast or dermatophyte infection on the skin
• wear gloves whenever you are gardening
• avoid sharing personal items like nail clippers or socks
• try to lose weight to eliminate excess skin folds

If you have a yeast or dermatophyte infection of the skin, your doctor can recommend an antifungal cream or powder. In cases where an infection covers a large area, or is hard to get rid of or keeps coming back, your doctor may recommend an antifungal pill.

Fungal infections of the nails can be harder to treat. These types of infections usually require a prescription for an antifungal pill. An antifungal nail lacquer is also available for treating certain fungal nail infections (caused by the fungus T. rubrum) in mild to moderate cases where the "moon" of the nail is not infected.

All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2018. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/condition/getcondition/Fungal-Skin-or-Nail-Infections