Fungal infections are quite common in the human body – examples include jock itch, athlete’s foot, ringworm, thrush, and vaginal yeast infections in women. Fungi are microorganisms like yeast and molds that release spores. The spores can spread to humans by direct contact or through inhalation. That’s why fungal infections commonly affect the skin, nails, and lungs. Sometimes, however, a fungus can cause a body-wide infection, which is a medical emergency with a high mortality rate. The risk of this occurring is low in people with normal immunity. Most systemic (body-wide) fungal infections occur in immunocompromised individuals (those with compromised immunity) – these are called opportunistic infections.

Types of Fungal Infections

Some of the most common fungal diseases are listed below:

Tinea pedis or athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that affects the skin and nails of the hands and feet. It is especially common in the warm, humid skin between the toes. Athlete’s foot can spread from person to person through direct contact or contaminated surfaces, such as in locker rooms and public showers.

Tinea cruris or jock itch is a fungal infection of the groin, inner thigh, and buttock area. It is more common in boys and men but can also affect girls and women.

Tinea unguium or onychomycosis is a common fungal infection of the toenails and fingernails. It can cause color changes and make the nails thicker and more brittle over time.

Ringworm is a fungal infection of the scalp and other areas of skin where there is dampness or humidity. It develops as a reddish, scaly, itchy rash and can go on to form rings with red outer edges.

Infection by a fungus called Candida albicans can affect the mouth, gastrointestinal tract, skin, urinary tract, and genitals. Some amount of Candida fungus is present in all healthy individuals. However, when the fungus multiplies excessively, it causes a yeast infection. Oral thrush (white patches in the mouth and throat) and vaginal yeast infections in women are both examples of Candida infections.

Antifungal Medication

There are many antifungal medications available. Most of them work by damaging the cell wall of the fungus, causing it to die. Antifungals are available as tablets, creams, sprays, solutions, shampoos, vaginal pessaries, and injections.

Topical antifungal medicines (sprays, liquids, creams, gels, lotions, nail lacquers, and tinctures) are used to treat fungal infections of the skin and nails. Examples include clotrimazole, ketoconazole, miconazole, and terbinafine.

Antifungal shampoos are used to treat fungal infections of the scalp. Examples include ketoconazole.

Antifungal pessaries are tablets that are inserted inside the vagina to treat yeast infections. Examples include miconazole, clotrimazole, fenticonazole, and econazole.

Oral antifungal medicines (tablets, oral gels, and liquids) are applied inside the mouth or swallowed. Fluconazole is frequently used to treat vaginal thrush. Terbinafine is effective against fungal infections of the nails. These medications are also used for athlete’s foot, ringworm, and jock itch.

Antifungal injections are used to treat serious fungal infections in the body. Examples include caspofungin, voriconazole, itraconazole, and amphotericin.

Over-the-Counter Medications for Fungal Infections

Many antifungal medicines are available over-the-counter and are considered safe and effective to treat mild to moderate fungal infections. They are available in various formulations, including creams, lotions, ointments, aerosol sprays, powders, and solutions. It is important to complete the recommended course of antifungal treatment, which can range from a couple of weeks to several months – failure to do this can lead to a recurrence of the infection.

Common Side Effects of Antifungal Medication

Topical antifungals usually do not cause any side effects except occasionally some redness, burning, or itching at the site of application.

Oral antifungals also do not usually cause any side effects. The most common side effects include stomachache, nausea, diarrhea, headache, rash, mouth soreness, and taste changes. In a small number of people, these medications can cause liver problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do to prevent fungal infections?

Practice good personal hygiene, especially in areas of the body that are prone to damp skin. Keep the skin dry and dry your body completely after bathing, taking special care to wipe in areas such as between the toes. Wear clean, dry socks and shoes. Change your socks at least once a day. Wash socks, towels, and other clothing frequently. Wear comfortable cotton underwear that is not too tight. Never share socks, shoes, towels, or other personal items like combs, nail clippers, hats, pillows, and hair accessories with others. If you have a fungal infection, wash your hands after touching the diseased area to avoid spreading the infection.

How are fungal infections diagnosed?

Doctors can recognize a fungal infection by your symptoms and by examining the affected area. To confirm the diagnosis, doctors sometimes take a small scraping of the skin or a piece of nail and send it to the laboratory to test for a fungus. Some fungal infections like ringworm glow under black light and the diagnosis can be confirmed by shining a black light on the affected area. To diagnose oral thrush, your doctor may obtain a throat swab and send it to the lab for evaluation. Similarly, they might swab the vagina to confirm a vaginal yeast infection.

Can I get a discount on antifungals with BuzzRx?

Yes, you can get discounts on some medicines—including antifungals—as long as you have a signed prescription from your doctor.

References:

1. https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/index.html
2. https://medlineplus.gov/fungalinfections.html
3. https://patient.info/infections/fungal-infections/antifungal-medicines
4. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1357303917302475
5. https://www.drugoffice.gov.hk/eps/do/en/consumer/news_informations/dm_18.html