Candidiasis of the Skin (Cutaneous Candidiasis)

     Candidiasis of the Skin (Cutaneous Candidiasis)

If you were to take a swab of your skin and grow the cells on a petri dish, you’d likely find lots of bacteria and fungal organisms living and growing without hurting your health.

While some fungal infections are not harmful, the candida fungus can be. This is because too muchcandida causes an infection known as candidiasis. While most candidiasis cases can be treated with improved hygiene, fungal infections can be very dangerous for those with weak immune systems.

Candidiasis of the skin is also sometimes known as “cutaneous candidiasis.”

Part 2 of 7: Symptoms

Recognizing the Symptoms of Candidiasis of the Skin

Candidiasis of the skin can occur anywhere on the skin, but it is most likely to occur on areas where the skin is folded. This includes areas in the armpits, in the groin, between your fingers, and under your breasts.

Rashes from candidiasis can appear either as white or red skin. Candidiasis between the fingers can appear moist, white in color, and peeling, and can be painful and irritating. The infection also may appear red and rash-like, which can cause you to feel itchy and hot. The skin infection can progress to cause cracking and soreness. Blisters and pustules can also occur.

Part 3 of 7: Causes

What Causes Candidiasis?

A wide variety of candida fungi exist, but Candida albicans is the most common cause of candidiasis, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH, 20120). A small amount of the yeast may naturally live on your skin, but it thrives and grows in warm, moist conditions.

Contributing causes include:

• warm weather
• tight clothing
• poor hygiene
• taking antibiotics that kill normal flora
• infrequent undergarment changes
• affected immune system from diabetes, pregnancy, or other medical conditions as well as from medications, such as steroids

Babies can experience candidiasis, especially on the buttocks, where a diaper tends to provide a warm, moist environment.

Obesity also can be a contributing factor because candida can thrive among skin folds.

Candida albicans is the same fungus that causes vaginal yeast infections in women and oral thrush, a condition that causes white patches to appear in your mouth.

Frequent candida infections can be a sign of an underlying immunodeficiency disorder such as HIV.

Part 4 of 7: Effects

What Are the Effects of Candidiasis?

The main complaint associated with candida infection is discomfort and itching from the rash. Controlling the lesions’ growth and treating the infection can help to reduce this effect.

Because most people have candida living naturally on their skin, the infection is not usually contagious. However, if a person who has a weakened immune system touches the candida infection, he or she may become infected.

Part 5 of 7: Diagnosis

How Is Candidiasis Diagnosed?

Your physician will most likely diagnose a candida infection by viewing the location of the rash and appearance of your skin.

If your physician wants to confirm the candida infection diagnosis, he or she can take a swab of the affected area and send it to a laboratory. The lab can test the swab to determine if candida is present. Most tests only detect the presence of fungus, however, and may not definitively identify candidiasis. Very specific tests can be ordered if your physician wants to confirm the condition.

Part 6 of 7: Treatment

How Is Candidiasis Treated?

Proper hygiene is vital to keeping candida infections at bay. This includes washing the skin regularly and thoroughly drying it to prevent moisture.

Because poor blood sugar control can contribute to candida infections, maintaining optimal blood sugar levels can help. This may include reducing the amount of sugar in your diet, and, if you are diabetic, being careful to follow your doctor’s instructions to control your blood sugar.

Your physician may recommend using an antifungal cream or powder applied to your skin to reduce candida’s spread. In most instances, you will not need to take an oral antifungal medication to kill the yeast. However, if your candidainfection is located inside your body, such as your throat, mouth, or vagina, you may need to take oral medication.

Part 7 of 7: Outlook

Long-Term Outlook and Complications

Cutaneous candidiasis usually goes away with treatment, but repeat infections are common. Complications include the following:

• infected nails may become misshapen and infection may occur around the nails
• repeat infections may occur
• widespread candidiasis may occur in individuals with weakened immune systems

What Do You Want to Know About Female Fungal Infections?

What Do You Want to Know About Female Fungal Infections?

A jock with athlete’s foot. A baby with thrush. A woman with a vaginal yeast infection. All three people have fallen prey to a fungal infection, which can occur in several places on our bodies. Fungi are microorganisms characterized by a substance in their cell wall called chitin.

Some fungi, like many types of mushrooms, are edible. Others, like aspergillus, can be extremely dangerous when they infect our bodies and lead to life-threatening diseases. In between are many other types of fungi that are capable of causing infections in our lungs, skin and nails.

Types of Fungal Infection

A fungal infection is also known as mycosis. Although most fungi are harmless to humans, some of them are capable of causing disease under specific conditions. Fungi reproduce by releasing spores that can be picked up by direct contact or even inhaled. That’s why fungal infections often affect the lungs, skin, or nails. Fungi can also penetrate the skin to affect your organs and cause a whole body systemic infection. Some common fungal infections include:

Athlete’s Foot

Some fungi, called dermatophytes, thrive in the warm and humid area between the toes and particularly common among athletes. Athlete’s foot causes itching, scaling, peeling, or cracking of the skin.

Jock Itch

Dermatophytes can also affect the groin area, producing an itchy fungal skin infection. It’s mostly a problem for men and boys, but women can suffer from the infection too.

Ringworm

Ringworm is a fungal infection that typically affects the skin and scalp. It usually starts as a reddish, itchy, and scaly rash. Over time, it gets larger and forms a red ring.

Onychomycosis

Onychomycosis is a very common fungal infection of the nail and nail bed. It usually starts as a small light-colored spot on the nail. As it spreads deeper, it changes the shape and color of the nail, and the nail becomes thicker and more brittle. It is often painful and recurrent.

Candidiasis Albicans

Candida albicans is a specific fungi that can infect the mouth, vagina, stomach and urinary tract.

Other Opportunistic Organisms

Some fungal organisms don’t cause infection in humans, but do cause sickness in people with suppressed immune systems.

What Causes Fungal Infections?

Fungal infections are contagious and can spread from one person to another. But humans do have protections against fungi. For one, almost every part of the human body has non-disease causing bacteria that protect us from fungal infections. These bacteria deprive harmful fungi of space and nutrients, thereby keeping them in check. Secondly, even if fungi do manage to colonize the skin, the body’s immune system can often fight them off. High acidity levels in some environments such as the vagina provide another layer of protection.

But not all of the body’s defense mechanisms are infallible. In patients who are immune-suppressed for example, the immune system is unable to fight fungal infection adequately. In addition, prolonged use of antibiotics destroys both helpful bacteria, allowing fungi to colonize the skin and mucous. In postmenopausal women, hormonal changes reduce the acidity of their vagina, making them more vulnerable to vaginal yeast infections.

What Are The Risk Factors For Developing Fungal Infections?

Dampness and Humidity

Sweating profusely or working in a warm and humid environment can increase your risk for a fungal infection. Fungi need a warm and moist environment to grow.

Walking barefoot in damp places such as gyms, locker rooms, and showers can also increase your risk. These public places are often rich in fungal spores and can lead to a fungal infection.

Poor Blood Circulation

Any condition that causes poor blood circulation in the skin can lead to infection. Poor circulation hinders the immune response and decreases its ability to fight fungal infection.

Nail & Skin Injury or Infection

Having a small nail or skin injury or infection enables fungi to penetrate the skin and affect deeper tissues.

How Are Fungal Infections Diagnosed?

Most fungal infections are diagnosed by their appearance. But your doctor will ask you to describe how the condition began and progressed. Other diagnostic tools may be used for specific types of fungal infections.

Scrapings

In a nail infection, a doctor will scrape off pieces of the affected nail and examine it under a microscope. This helps differentiate onychomycosis from other conditions that thicken the nail.

Throat Swab

Patients who undergo prolonged antibiotic therapy often develop oral thrush, a candida infection that causes white patches in the mouth and throat. A throat swab, which looks like a cotton bud, can be rubbed across these patches and later cultured in the lab to determine the presence of fungi and other microorganisms.

Ultra-Violet Light or Wood’s Lamp

Under a black lamp or ultra-violet light (also called a “Wood’s Lamp”), some forms of fungal infections appear fluorescent while other infections do not.

How Are Fungal Infections Treated?

Fungal infections are treated with a variety of antifungal drugs. The type you use depends on where the infection is located and how severe it is.

For superficial skin infections, you may use an antifungal cream, drops, or ointment. More serious infections, including those affecting the fingernails may require oral tablets or injections Treatment of fingernail infections can take weeks, but infections in the toenails may take months to clear.

Vaginal infections are usually treated with suppositories.

Many anti-fungal medications are toxic to the liver so patients need to be carefully monitored.

Some doctors may recommend alternative therapies. You may be advised to increase your consumption of garlic, a natural anti-fungal. You may also be told to boost your intake of vitamin C and essential fatty acids, which boost the immune system. In addition, you may be told to lower your intake of sugar.

Probiotics, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, are a relatively recent development. As their name suggests, probiotics provide good bacteria that help restore the body’s balance and compete with fungi for colonization.

How Can Fungal Infections Be Prevented?

Many patients develop fungal infections when they are being treated for another disorder, and their immune system is compromised. Make sure to consult with a healthcare provider. It also helps to avoid the prolonged usage of steroids or antibiotics.

Good hygiene is critical for avoiding fungal infections. Some specific tips:

• Keep the skin, especially the folds of the skin, clean and dry.
• Wash hands often, especially after touching animals or other people.
• Avoid using other people’s towels.
• Wear shoes in community showers and swimming pools.
• Wipe gym equipment before and after use.

 

Is It Psoriasis or a Fungal Infection?

           Is It Psoriasis or a Fungal Infection?

You may be wondering if you have psoriasis or a fungal infection if you’re dealing with red, itchy spots on your skin.

Psoriasis and fungal infections have some similar symptoms, but they’re very different conditions. Keep reading to learn more about their:

• symptoms
• causes
• risk factors
• treatments

Symptoms

Psoriasis and fungal infections have similar symptoms. It’s not always easy to figure out what you’re looking at with one glance.

Common symptoms of psoriasis include:

• raised, reddish skin patches, called plaques
• a silvery, white covering on the patches, called scales
• itching, cracking skin, or bleeding

While psoriasis plaques can appear anywhere on your body, they’re commonly found on the:

• scalp
• elbows
• knees
• genitals

The symptoms of a fungal infection look like psoriasis in many ways. Fungal infections can also create raised, red patches of skin. These patches may also itch. Sometimes, they’ll itch a lot.

What’s the best way to distinguish between psoriasis and a fungal infection? Look closely at your plaques or red patches. Do they look like circles or rings? If so, it’s more likely a fungal infection. Is there a silvery look to them? If there is, it might be psoriasis.

Another clear sign of a fungal infection is if it continues to grow without treatment, says Gary Goldenberg, M.D., a dermatologist at Mount Sinai Hospital and an expert on psoriasis. This is especially true for fungal infections on the feet and scalp.

Causes and Risk Factors

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease. It’s the most common autoimmune disease in the United States and affects 125 million people worldwide, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF).

While doctors have yet to identify the exact cause of psoriasis, geneticsplays a role. Other risk factors include:

• obesity
• smoking
• cold or dry air
• chronic or extreme stress
• other environment factors

Fungal Infections

Different types of fungi, called dermatophytes, commonly cause fungal infections. You may know this infection by its common name, ringworm. Despite the name, ringworm is caused by a fungus (not a worm).

Fungal infections are typically superficial and can affect your hair, skin, nails, or anywhere you come into contact with the fungus. They’re very contagious and usually picked up from direct contact with any of the following:

• another person who has a fungal infection
• public pools or bathrooms
• an infected animal
• an unwashed floor, clothes, or children’s toys

Because fungus spreads from contact, people who walk around barefoot are more likely to pick up a fungal infection on their feet.

Treatments

Your treatment will be different depending on whether you have psoriasis or a fungal infection. Because of this, you’ll want to see a doctor so that you can correctly identify the cause of your skin rash.

Fungal infections generally clear up pretty easily with antifungal topical creams and oral tablets. Some of these are available over the counter. Your doctor may suggest different hygiene or cleaning habits if fungal infections are a recurring problem.

As for psoriasis, there’s currently no cure, but there are many treatments available. Your doctor may prescribe one of the following:

• topical creams, including coal tar extracts and steroids
• narrow band ultraviolet light therapy
• oral medications
• biologic injections

When to See a Doctor

Call your doctor for a stronger prescription if the topical, over-the-counter treatment you’ve been using isn’t working. See your doctor if the itching is still undiagnosed, especially if it’s getting worse.

Your doctor may have difficulty determining the cause of your condition by looking at it because these conditions look so similar. You may need to have a biopsy if this happens. Finding a clear cause will help you get the treatment you need sooner.

 

Infections caused by fungi and protozoans

    Infections caused by fungi and protozoans

 

The unicellular or multicellular fungi are microorganisms that grow preferentially in environmental humidity conditions. Some species can infect the organism and lead to more or less severe injuries, causing the diseases commonly referred mycoses.

Furthermore, protozoa are unicellular microorganisms that usually develop over a cycle quite complex, since it comprises various stages and involving the various species of animals that are parasites. Some protozoa are able to penetrate the human body and cause more or less serious changes. The problems caused by protozoa are called protozoa and belong to the group of parasites.Over the first few pages of this chapter, we will address the internal mycoses, ie those affecting the tissues and internal organs. Then enumerated the protozoa to higher incidence and severity, including amebiasis, malaria, toxoplasmosis, leishmaniasis, Chagas disease and sleeping sickness. 

The protozoa are a number of quite common problems and with incalculable social consequences. First, due to the fact that evidencing especially in tropical areas or economically disadvantaged subtropical, who do not have the necessary resources so that they perform their diagnosis and timely treatment because it is estimated that only severe malaria complications cause the death of approximately two and a half million people per year. Second, because it also affects the frequency with some immunocompromised persons, in which acquire a specific gravity. In fact, esophageal candidiasis and toxoplasmosis are among the most common and severe opportunistic infections in patients with AIDS treated improperly. 

credit

http://www.yeast-infection-in-men.net/

 

Infections caused by fungi

                 Infections caused by fungi

General

 

The fungal microorganisms are formed by a single cell (yeast) or cell groups (molds) which require the addition of organic compounds from the external environment to obtain the energy they need to perform their functions. Of the thousands of known species of fungi, only a few are pathogenic for humans, ie they are able to invade your body, where they find favorable conditions to survive, grow and reproduce, causing ringworm.Depending on the type of tissue affected, it is possible to distinguish two types of fungal infections: surface and internal. The superficial mycosis, frequently, are located in the skin, oral and genital mucosa or skin constituents. On the other hand, the internal mycoses are located in tissues or organs inside the body, such as the subcutaneous tissue, the mucosa of the esophagus or lung, affecting with particular frequency people with chronic conditions or where the defense system is weakened: diabetics, malnourished individuals, the elderly, people undergoing prolonged treatment with corticosteróicies or immunosuppressive drugs, AIDS patients or have a disseminated cancer, intravenous drug addicts, among others.Then describe briefly the main internal mycosis and its characteristics.

Internal candidiasis

 

The internal candichase infection is usually chronic, caused by Candida albicans, a kind of fungus that naturally inhabits the skin surface and mucous membranes of warm-blooded animals, including humans, even in normal conditions does not cause problems. However, given certain conditions, e.g., conditions of high humidity and heat, in case of poorly controlled diabetes mellitus or after prolonged administration of antibiotics, these fungi can cause a superficial infection.One of the most common locations corresponds to the lining of the esophagus, being called esophageal candidiasis, very common in patients with AIDS and children affected by diaper rash, an infection caused by the same species of fungi. How rarely manifest symptoms, esophageal candidiasis passes. in most cases overlooked. However, makes it difficult, sooner or later, the swallowing of food and produce a burning sensation behind the breastbone and chest pain.Another type of internal candidiasis, more serious than the previous one, is disseminated candidiasis, caused by the penetration of fungi into the blood circulation and the subsequent invasion of various internal organs and tissues, where they cause the development of numerous small abscesses, or abnormal cavity filled with pus.  

The candid both can penetrate the circulation directly, as often happens in addicts of intravenous drugs using contaminated syringes, as from injuries caused by own fungus on the skin and mucous membranes, as often occurs among immunocompromised people. The manifestations vary depending on the location of lesions and the severity of the infection. Tissues and organs most often affected are the kidneys, with manifestations ranging from the onset of fever, accompanied by the emission of turbid urine, and renal failure; the central nervous system, causing meningitis, which originates from headache and spontaneous vomiting even hallucinations or coma; the joints which become inflamed and painful; the heart, with expressions that indicate inflammation of the heart valves; and the eyeball through the optic nerve allocation which can cause blindness.Treatment of candidiasis is the internal administration, for several months, several types of medicines which act against fungi. In esophageal candidiasis, these drugs can be administered orally and possibly intravenously. On the other hand, when disseminated candidiasis or affects other internal organ must proceed to the administration of drugs intravenously.

Histoplasmosis

 

Histoplasmosis is an infectious disease caused by Histoplasma capsulatum, a fungus normally present in the soil and, above all, in places contaminated with bird droppings, such as chicken and pigeon houses, or of bats, especially in caves inhabited. The infection is carried out by absorbing H. capsulatum spores, a kind of seeds resistant to adverse conditions the external environment that, to find a better situation, germinate in order to originate new fungi. The disease is particularly common in many parts of America, where it is endemic.Although the problem can evolve asymptomatically, usually shows various expressions that indicate the development of pulmonary lesions, including chest pain, shortness of breath and fever accompanied by chills and sweats. Moreover, in some cases, particularly in immunocompromised individuals, fungi can enter the bloodstream through which arrive in other organs.With the exception of asymptomatic cases in which is not necessary, treatment consists of the administration of antifungal drugs, usually intravenously, over several weeks or even several months. Moreover, in some cases, it is necessary to resort to surgery to repair the damaged tissue.

Sporotrichosis

 

Sporotrichosis is an infectious disease caused by Sporothrix schenkii, a fungus that lives mainly in plants and soils, especially in humid and warm regions. As the contagion is usually carried out on wounds caused by thorns and contaminated sharps, the most affected are rural workers, gardeners and florists, although it also can be made by fungal spores of absorption.When the infection takes place through a wound in the skin, the lesions are located in the skin and extend to the vessels and nearby lymph nodes. Initially, it is evident through a small nodule painless, as it increases in size, will be ringing on the skin, which is red and forms an ulcer, enabling the secretion of a yellowish liquid. Simultaneously, going up producing small abscesses throughout the lymphatics and lymph nodes that drain the tissue where the initial lesion is located (e.g., a leg or arm), with a similar trend, as it has a tendency to join the skin, leading to formation of ulcers. 

 Although the lesions are typically not show general signs and symptoms, if not properly treated, they can take a chronic course over months or years. Treatment consists of oral administration of potassium iodide and application of this product on the affected area until healing of the skin.When the infection is carried out by absorption of the fungus spores, the initial lesions consist of small lung abscesses, yielding systemic signs and symptoms such as general malaise and fever, cough, and sometimes mucous sputum with traces of blood. Subsequently, the fungus can spread to joints and other body parts, with individual signs and symptoms of each location. In such cases, the treatment consists of the administration of antifungal drugs intravenously over several weeks or even several months.

Aspergillosis

 

Aspergillosis is a problem caused by several types of fungi of the genus Aspergillus are spread on land and in the air, food, organic substances in decomposition and also in rural constructions especially in damp areas, although some also belong to the normal mucosal flora breathing. The disease may take three distinct forms.The allergic aspergillosis is a hypersensitivity reaction triggered by frequent contact of the fungus with the respiratory mucous membranes, affecting mainly rural workers with a history of allergies. Its most common manifestations are episodes of bronchial obstruction similar to those caused by asthma, or feeling of shortness of breath and difficulty breathing, coughing attacks and sometimes fever and general malaise, which are evident and disappear each Because fungi are inhaled, although they have a tendency to recur over the years and to cause, in severe cases, the development of pulmonary emphysema. The treatment is to avoid contact with the fungi responsible, while in acute episodes often be resorted to corticosteroids. 

The aspergilloma is a lung tumor progressive growth provided by the proliferation of fungi and fibrous tissue in abnormal pre-existing cavities, usually as a sequel tuberculosis, lung abscesses or cysts. The injury usually evolves asymptomatically to acquire a considerable volume, height cm manifested through coughing, mucus or bloody sputum, nosebleeds and, sometimes, fever and general malaise. Although treatment consists, in most cases, the surgical removal aspergilloma, in case it is not possible, is based on the administration of antifungal drugs intravenously over an extended period of time.

 The disseminated aspergillosis, which is typically an opportunistic infection affecting immunocompromised persons, characterized by the extension of fungi airway to various tissues and organs, breaking itself alveolar tissue in the lungs, blood, central nervous system, heart, eyes and subcutaneous tissue, where they form abscesses and other lesions that can cause a wide range of manifestations. In such cases, the treatment consists essentially in administering the antifungal drugs intravenously over long periods of time, sometimes throughout his life, but also can use to perform a surgical procedure to repair a damaged tissue.

Cryptococcosis

 

 Cryptococcosis is a chronic infectious disease caused by Cryptococcus neoformans, a fairly common fungus in the soil and present, especially in the droppings of pigeons and other birds, which can survive for several years. The infection takes place through inhalation of powder particles contaminated with molds carried by air currents.Although the lesions initially develop in the lung tissue, which can persist for years without causing manifestations sometimes can cause chest pain, cough and mucous or even bloody sputum. Although fungi have the tendency to restrict the lungs and eventually be removed, either spontaneously or with the help of appropriate treatment, in some cases, particularly among immunocompromised patients, propagate through the blood to other organs , causing widespread cryptococcosis, very common complication of AIDS. The main manifestations of this form of the disease, in addition to some general and slight fever and malaise, correspond to the allocation of the meninges and the brain: headache accompanied by vomiting and stiff neck, drowsiness, memory deficit, staggering locomotion, seizures and, in severe cases, coma. It can also manifest signs and visual symptoms such as loss of vision and dizziness, or abscesses in bones and joints, nodules in the subcutaneous tissue and skin lesions. If you do not do the proper treatment, the prognosis is very serious, with a high mortality rate. The treatment primarily consists in the administration of antifungal drugs intravenously over an extended period.

Additional Information

Circumstances conducive to the development of internal mycoses

• prolonged administration of antibiotics. • prolonged administration of corticosteroids. • chronic yeast infections, skin, genitals or nails mucous membranes. • Diabetes poorly controlled diabetes. • Addiction intravenous administration of drugs. • immunosuppression: AIDS, malnutrition, advanced cancer.

The doctor answers

 

Diagnosed my father an intestinal infection caused by fungi and the physician said that the cause could be the prolonged administration of antibiotics required to treat a bacterial infection. What is the relationship between these two facts?

Since bacteria and fungi that, in normal conditions, live in our gut using the same nutrients to perform their functions, administration of certain antibiotics in large quantities and over a prolonged period of time provides for eliminating much of the flora intestinal bacterial, which means that fungi, such as do not have to share their nutrients start reproducing in excess, causing intestinal infection. This type of infection disappear, fortunately, after the restoration of normal intestinal bacterial flora, which can be facilitated through the yogurt consumption, a food containing harmless bacteria belonging to these pathogens.

Antifungal medicines

 

The newer drugs used in the treatment of diseases caused by fungi are becoming more efficient and cause less side effects.

credit : 

http://www.yeast-infection-in-men.net/