DefinitionDefinition

any inflammatory condition caused any inflammatory condition caused by a fungusby a fungus. . Most fungal infections Most fungal infections are superficial and mild, though are superficial and mild, though persistent and difficult to eradicatepersistent and difficult to eradicate. . Some, particularly in older, Some, particularly in older, debilitated, or immunosuppressed or debilitated, or immunosuppressed or immunodeficient people, may immunodeficient people, may become systemic and life become systemic and life threateningthreatening. .

What causes fungal infections?What causes fungal infections? Different types of fungus cause a variety of fungal Different types of fungus cause a variety of fungal

infections:infections: Athlete’s foot, jock itch, and ringworm are caused by a Athlete’s foot, jock itch, and ringworm are caused by a

fungus called tinea.fungus called tinea. Most yeast infections, such as vaginal thrush, oral thrush, Most yeast infections, such as vaginal thrush, oral thrush,

and fungal gastroenteritis, are caused by a fungus called and fungal gastroenteritis, are caused by a fungus called Candida albicansCandida albicans. Fungus can also cause fungal infections . Fungus can also cause fungal infections of the lungs due to inhaled fungal spores.of the lungs due to inhaled fungal spores.

Certain factors or conditions can result in an overgrowth of Certain factors or conditions can result in an overgrowth of fungus in the body. These include:fungus in the body. These include:

Taking antibiotics. Antibiotics can kill off “healthy” bacteria Taking antibiotics. Antibiotics can kill off “healthy” bacteria in the body, as well as bacteria that cause disease. When in the body, as well as bacteria that cause disease. When antibiotics kill the healthy bacteria, the normal balance of antibiotics kill the healthy bacteria, the normal balance of microorganisms in the mouth, vagina, intestines, and other microorganisms in the mouth, vagina, intestines, and other places in the body is altered, resulting in an overgrowth of places in the body is altered, resulting in an overgrowth of Candida albicansCandida albicans or other fungi. or other fungi.

Having a weakened immune system due to certain Having a weakened immune system due to certain conditions, such as HIV/AIDS or taking steroid medications conditions, such as HIV/AIDS or taking steroid medications or chemotherapyor chemotherapy

Having high blood sugar due to diabetes, which provides food for Having high blood sugar due to diabetes, which provides food for Candida albicansCandida albicans and encourages its overgrowth and encourages its overgrowth

Fungal infections can also be passed from a pregnant woman to Fungal infections can also be passed from a pregnant woman to her infant during vaginal delivery or breastfeeding.her infant during vaginal delivery or breastfeeding.

A change in the pH balance of the vagina or A change in the pH balance of the vagina or a change in your hormonal balancea change in your hormonal balance Staying in a wet bathing suit, wearing tight jeans or wearing Staying in a wet bathing suit, wearing tight jeans or wearing

synthetic underwearsynthetic underwear Douching and wiping from rear to front Douching and wiping from rear to front

Vaginal CandidiasisVaginal Candidiasis

Vaginal candidiasis is caused by the Vaginal candidiasis is caused by the fungus called fungus called CandidaCandida. Everyone has small . Everyone has small quantities of the fungus in the mouth, quantities of the fungus in the mouth, vagina, digestive tract and skin. In healthy vagina, digestive tract and skin. In healthy persons, "friendly" bacteria and the persons, "friendly" bacteria and the immune system prevent the fungus from immune system prevent the fungus from causing infection. However, if you have a causing infection. However, if you have a damaged or weakened immune system, damaged or weakened immune system, it's easier for it's easier for CandidaCandida to grow and cause to grow and cause disease. disease.

Signs and symptomsSigns and symptoms

The symptoms of vaginal thrush The symptoms of vaginal thrush include vulval itching, vulval include vulval itching, vulval soreness and irritation, pain or soreness and irritation, pain or discomfort during sexual intercourse discomfort during sexual intercourse ((superficialsuperficial dyspareuniadyspareunia), ), pain or pain or discomfort during urinationdiscomfort during urination ( (dysuriadysuria) ) and vaginal discharge, which is and vaginal discharge, which is usually odourlessusually odourless

Preventing thrushPreventing thrush

Wear cotton or silk underwear, which allows Wear cotton or silk underwear, which allows excess moisture to evaporate, unlike nylon and excess moisture to evaporate, unlike nylon and other syntheticsother synthetics..

Wash and dry your underwear thoroughly and Wash and dry your underwear thoroughly and change it often to prevent dampness which can change it often to prevent dampness which can increase the chance of vaginal thrushincrease the chance of vaginal thrush..

Avoid using feminine deodorant sprays and other Avoid using feminine deodorant sprays and other products as these may increase the chance of a products as these may increase the chance of a vaginal yeast infectionvaginal yeast infection..

Be aware that using sanitary towels may increase Be aware that using sanitary towels may increase your chances of getting vaginal thrushyour chances of getting vaginal thrush..

Oral candidiasisOral candidiasis((Etiology)Etiology)

Candida albicans infection is due to:Candida albicans infection is due to:

inadequate sterilization of teats and inadequate sterilization of teats and bottles.bottles.from mothers’ breast of the attendant’s from mothers’ breast of the attendant’s hand.hand.Newborns are infected during passage in Newborns are infected during passage in birth canal.birth canal.The long use of antibiotic therapy.The long use of antibiotic therapy.Infant's auto-infection when he has Infant's auto-infection when he has candida diaper dermatitis and he touch the candida diaper dermatitis and he touch the diaper area then put his hands into mouth.diaper area then put his hands into mouth.

Preventing oral thrushPreventing oral thrush  

rinsing your mouth after mealsrinsing your mouth after meals visiting your dentist regularly for checkvisiting your dentist regularly for check--

upsups eating a healthy balancedeating a healthy balanced  dietdiet with no with no

more than the recommended amount more than the recommended amount ofof  sugarsugar

keeping your dentures cleankeeping your dentures clean brushing your teeth twice a day with a brushing your teeth twice a day with a

toothpaste that contains fluoridetoothpaste that contains fluoride flossing regularlyflossing regularly using a mouthwash as part of your routineusing a mouthwash as part of your routine

Athlete's FootAthlete's Foot

Athlete's foot, also called tinea pedis, Athlete's foot, also called tinea pedis, is a fungal infection of the footis a fungal infection of the foot. . It It causes peeling, redness, itching, causes peeling, redness, itching, burning, and sometimes blisters and burning, and sometimes blisters and soressores..

Athlete's foot is a very common Athlete's foot is a very common infectioninfection..

Types of Athlete's FootTypes of Athlete's FootInterdigitalInterdigital:: Also called toe web infection, this is Also called toe web infection, this is

the most common kind of athlete's footthe most common kind of athlete's foot. . It usually It usually occurs between the two smallest toesoccurs between the two smallest toes. . This form This form of athlete's foot can cause itching, burning, and of athlete's foot can cause itching, burning, and scaling and the infection can spread to the sole of scaling and the infection can spread to the sole of the footthe foot. .

MoccasinMoccasin:: A moccasin-type infection of athlete's A moccasin-type infection of athlete's foot can begin with a minor irritation, dryness, foot can begin with a minor irritation, dryness, itching, or scaly skin itching, or scaly skin

Vesicular:Vesicular: This is the least common kind of This is the least common kind of athlete's foot. The condition usually begins with a athlete's foot. The condition usually begins with a sudden outbreak of fluid-filled blisters under the sudden outbreak of fluid-filled blisters under the

skinskin. .

EpidemiologyEpidemiology

* Athlete's foot is probably the most * Athlete's foot is probably the most common dermatophyte infection in the common dermatophyte infection in the World with up to 70% of the population World with up to 70% of the population having had this infectionhaving had this infection..

Males are affected more than femalesMales are affected more than females..

The risk of getting athlete's foot increases The risk of getting athlete's foot increases with agewith age. . Most cases occur after pubertyMost cases occur after puberty. . Infection is most common between the Infection is most common between the ages of 20 and 50 yearsages of 20 and 50 years..

EtiologyEtiology

Athlete's foot is caused by a Athlete's foot is caused by a microscopic fungus that lives on microscopic fungus that lives on dead tissue of the hair, toenails, and dead tissue of the hair, toenails, and outer skin layersouter skin layers. . There are at least There are at least four kinds of fungus that can cause four kinds of fungus that can cause athlete's footathlete's foot. . The most common of The most common of these fungi is trichophyton rubrumthese fungi is trichophyton rubrum. .

PathophysiologyPathophysiology

T rubrumT rubrum, , Trichophyton mentagrophytesTrichophyton mentagrophytes,, andand Epidermophyton floccosumEpidermophyton floccosum most commonly most commonly cause tinea pedis, withcause tinea pedis, with T rubrumT rubrum being the most being the most common cause worldwidecommon cause worldwide. .

Using enzymes called keratinases, dermatophyte Using enzymes called keratinases, dermatophyte fungi invade the superficial keratin of the skin, fungi invade the superficial keratin of the skin, and the infection remains limited to this layerand the infection remains limited to this layer. . Dermatophyte cell walls also contain mannans, Dermatophyte cell walls also contain mannans, which can inhibit the body's immune responsewhich can inhibit the body's immune response. . T T rubrumrubrum in particular contains mannans that may in particular contains mannans that may reduce keratinocyte proliferation, resulting in a reduce keratinocyte proliferation, resulting in a decreased rate of sloughing and a chronic state decreased rate of sloughing and a chronic state of infection. of infection.

Temperature and serum factors, such as beta Temperature and serum factors, such as beta globulins and ferritin, appear to have a growthglobulins and ferritin, appear to have a growth--inhibitory effect on dermatophytes; however, this inhibitory effect on dermatophytes; however, this pathophysiology is not completely understoodpathophysiology is not completely understood. . Sebum also is inhibitory, thus partly explaining Sebum also is inhibitory, thus partly explaining the propensity for dermatophyte infection of the the propensity for dermatophyte infection of the feet, which have no sebaceous glandsfeet, which have no sebaceous glands. . Host Host factors such as breaks in the skin and maceration factors such as breaks in the skin and maceration of the skin may aid in dermatophyte invasionof the skin may aid in dermatophyte invasion. . The The cutaneous presentation of tinea pedis is also cutaneous presentation of tinea pedis is also dependent on the host's immune system and the dependent on the host's immune system and the infecting dermatophyteinfecting dermatophyte. .

How Is Athlete's Foot TreatedHow Is Athlete's Foot Treated??

Athlete's foot is treated with topical Athlete's foot is treated with topical antifungal medication antifungal medication ((a drug placed a drug placed directly on the skindirectly on the skin) ) in most casesin most cases. . Severe cases may require oral drugs Severe cases may require oral drugs ((those taken by mouththose taken by mouth). ). The feet The feet must be kept clean and dry since the must be kept clean and dry since the fungus thrives in moist fungus thrives in moist environmentsenvironments. .

Nonprescription Nonprescription antifungalsantifungals usually usually are used firstare used first. . These include These include terbinafineterbinafine ( (LamisilLamisil ATAT), ), miconazolemiconazole ( (MicatinMicatin), ), clotrimazoleclotrimazole ( (LotriminLotrimin AFAF)), , and tolnaftateand tolnaftate ( (TinactinTinactin). ). Nonprescription antifungals are Nonprescription antifungals are applied to theapplied to the skinskin ( (topical topical medicinesmedicines). ).

Prescription antifungals may be tried if Prescription antifungals may be tried if nonprescription medicines are not nonprescription medicines are not successful or if you have a severe successful or if you have a severe infectioninfection. . Some of these medicines areSome of these medicines are topical topical antifungalsantifungals, , which are put directly which are put directly on the skinon the skin. . Examples include naftifineExamples include naftifine ( (NaftinNaftin), ), butenafinebutenafine ( (MentaxMentax), ), and and clotrimazoleclotrimazole. . Prescription antifungals can Prescription antifungals can also be taken as a pill, which are calledalso be taken as a pill, which are called oral oral antifungalsantifungals. . Examples of oral Examples of oral antifungals include terbinafine antifungals include terbinafine ((LamisilLamisil), ), itraconazoleitraconazole ( (SporanoxSporanox)), and, and fluconazolefluconazole ((DiflucanDiflucan). ).

How to use antifungal medicationHow to use antifungal medication

Apply antifungal medication directly to the Apply antifungal medication directly to the rash and surrounding area rash and surrounding area ((4–6cm4–6cm) ) of of normal, healthy skinnormal, healthy skin. . Make sure that the Make sure that the area is dry before applying the treatmentarea is dry before applying the treatment. .

Skin may sometimes be infected with the Skin may sometimes be infected with the fungus without showing any symptomsfungus without showing any symptoms. . Therefore, it is important to treat the Therefore, it is important to treat the surrounding area of skin to help prevent surrounding area of skin to help prevent rere--infectioninfection. . Always wash your hands Always wash your hands before and after applying the treatmentbefore and after applying the treatment..

Athlete's Foot Athlete's Foot - - Other TreatmentOther Treatment

Tea tree oil or garlic Tea tree oil or garlic ((ajoeneajoene) ) may help may help prevent or treatprevent or treat athlete's footathlete's foot ( (tinea pedistinea pedis) ) fungifungi. . Burow's solutionBurow's solution is helpful for is helpful for treating blisterlike treating blisterlike ((vesicularvesicular) ) infectioninfection

..

What can I do to prevent these What can I do to prevent these problemsproblems??

To help prevent fungal foot conditions, keep yourTo help prevent fungal foot conditions, keep your feet cool, clean, and dry byfeet cool, clean, and dry by • • Cleaning your feet well after each workoutCleaning your feet well after each workout • • Towel drying your feet completely after shower-Towel drying your feet completely after shower- ing (use a blow dryer, if necessary)ing (use a blow dryer, if necessary) • • Wearing socks under shoesWearing socks under shoes • • Wearing cotton socksWearing cotton socks • • Wearing shoes made of cloth or leather (notWearing shoes made of cloth or leather (not vinyl), allowing the feet to breathe. vinyl), allowing the feet to breathe.

VaccineVaccine

Recently researchers used Recently researchers used recombinant DNA to create a live recombinant DNA to create a live vaccine, and have conjugated fungal vaccine, and have conjugated fungal antigens with diphtheria toxoid to antigens with diphtheria toxoid to create a vaccine against create a vaccine against CandidaCandida