Fungal Infections of Skin

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Fungal Infections Of Skin

There are three common fungal diseases:

Superficial fungal infections or Dermatophytosis
Candidiasis
Tenia Versicolor

Highlights

Your Skin Type

Bio-Engineered Skin

Acne Vulgaris

The Common Dermatophytic infections

The "Ring Worm " infections are the commonest. They appear on the skin in the form of red colored rings with scaling and intense itching. These infections are classified according to the site where the fungus invades.

Chronic and Difficult to Treat Fungal Infections

Fungal infections of the nail are very long standing and chronic. Especially toe nail infection is the most difficult to eradicate.

Treatment of Superficial Fungal Infections

Clotrimazole and Miconyzole creams are very effective treatment modalities. However, in widespread or in nail and hair infections one has to choose systemic treatment. Grisiofulvin and Ketoconazole are tablets which are quite effective. However, for nail infections, Itroconazole is the most effective drug. Unfortunately, it is quite costly for routine use in India.

Source of Fungal Infections

The fungi can infect a person from three sources:

The soil - Geophilic Fungi
The pet animals - Zoophilic Fungi
Human beings - Antrophilic Fungi

Preventive Measures for Fungal Infections

Good hygiene, drying of body folds and anti-fungal powders can be effective preventions. However diabetes and obesity remain predisposing factors and have to be tackled for complete cure.

Candidiasis

The Clinical Manifestations of Candidiasis

There are two common forms:

Oral Candidiasis
Intertrigoneous Candidiasis
Candidial Vulvo Vaginitis

Oral Candidiasis presents with white patches on the tongue. Intertrigoneous Candidiasis presents with raw erosions and oozing lesions in the body folds like the thighs, under the breasts and in between the toes.

Candidial Vulvo Vaginitis presents with a white vaginal discharge and soreness. Physiological predisposing factors are obesity, diabetes, pregnancy, hot and humid weather and wearing tight garments.

Treatment of Candidiasis

Clotrimazole lotion or Pessaries can be given for localized disease whereas fluconazole capsules are effective for extensive or recurrent disease.

Herpes

Herpes Herpes is a common viral infection. It causes Oral herpes (cold sores or fever blisters), and Genital herpes (genital sores).

There are two herpes simplex viruses:

	Herpes Simplex Type 1 (HSV-1)
	Herpes Simplex Type 2 (HSV-2)

These viruses look identical under the microscope, and either type can infect the mouth or genitals. Most commonly, however, HSV-1 occurs above the waist, and HSV-2 below.

The body's natural defense system is called "The Immune Responses". Whenever herpes attacks the immune system, the body fights back against this menace. As the battle grows more intense, there are heavy losses by both the herpes virus and the immune system. This causes the body to be less able to defend itself from attacks by other viruses. For those very reasons, a herpes patient should try to keep the herpes virus under control at all times.

Remember...

	Take care of the affected skin area. Keep the area dry and clean during outbreaks to help healing.
	Avoid physical contact with the area from the time of the first symptoms (tingling, itching, burning) until all sores are completely healed, not just scabbed-over.
	Prevent self-infection to other areas of your body. Wash your hands with soap and water if you touch a sore. Better yet, don't touch the sores.
	Prospective parents: If either mother or father has genital herpes, or any of the mother's previous sexual partners had genital herpes, tell your doctor about it.
	Women with genital herpes: Don't skip your annual Pap smear.

Inform yourself about herpes. For many, diagnosis with herpes can mean a time of confusion, anger, fear and frustration. For many, it seems there is no place to turn for help in dealing with the sensitive aspects of herpes infection. There is help available.

See a doctor while symptoms are still present. The doctor will look at the area, take a sample from the sore(s) and test to see if the herpes virus is present. The test you should request is a specific virus culture or assay for herpes virus. Remember, the test will not work if the sores have healed.

Known Available Tests:

	Cell Culture Test
	Antigen test
	Pap Smear

Scabies and Pediculosis

Scabies is a contagious (catching) disorder of the skin caused by very small, wingless insects or mites. The female insect burrows into the skin where she lays one to three eggs daily. A very small, hard to see, zigzag blister marks the trail of the insect as she lays her eggs. Other more obvious symptoms are an intense itching (especially at night) and a red rash that can occur at the area that has been scratched. The most common locations for scabies are on the sides of fingers, between the fingers, on the back of the hands, on the wrists, heels, elbows, armpits, inner thighs and around the waist (belt line). If untreated, the female will continue to lay eggs for about five weeks. The eggs hatch and the new mites begin the cycle again. The mites themselves are too small to be seen without magnification.

Scabies is spread by personal contact or by close contact with infected articles such as clothing, bedding or towels. It is usually found where people are crowded together or have frequent contact, and is most common among school children, families, roommates, and sexual partners. Scabies can be spread by the insect itself or by the egg. Prompt action is required to rid a person of the insects and eggs.

If it is determined that scabies is present in your family the doctor will prescribe a medicated lotion for all those in your family who have scabies. The prescribed lotion will kill both the mites and the eggs. It should be used only under the directions of your doctor and only on infected persons. Infants and pregnant women may be treated with a different medication than other family members. If you are or think you may be pregnant, please let the doctor know when you call.

	Examine all other family members carefully for the presence of scabies.
	Combs, brushes, barrettes and anything with which your child has had contact should be soaked in hot water for at least 15 minutes. To avoid reinfestation, all clothing, towels and bedding should be thoroughly laundered once all those with scabies begin their treatment. Use hot water & disinfectant; your hot water heater should be set to 120 deg. for safety.
	Periodically check your child for symptoms which may indicate reinfection. Expect the rash to clear in about two weeks.
	Itching may take up to 4 weeks to resolve after treatment. New burrows, however, may indicate ongoing infection. Expect the rash to clear in about two weeks.

Prevention

Regularly change and wash clothing. When laundering clothing and bedding, use hot water. Children should not share clothing or other personal articles, such as hair brushes, combs or towels, with one another. When an outbreak of scabies is reported be alert for symptoms in member of your family. If your child has scabies, please notify the school authorities so the school will be alerted to check for any outbreak.

The above measures are suggested to help prevent reinfestation. However, the medicated lotion treatment for scabies does not provide long-term protection and reinfestation is always possible.

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