July 1, 2025

Our day-to-day environment consists of hundreds of fungi out of which a few of them have the potential to cause infections and illnesses. Fungal infections often affect bodily parts like the hair, skin, etc. Oftentimes, severe infections also affect the heart, lungs, and other major parts of the body. Individuals with weak immunity are at an increased risk of attracting such fungal infections. 

Some of the common types of fungal infections include ringworm, Athlete’s foot, etc. These infections occur when a certain type of fungus becomes too prevalent in a specific area of the body, making it difficult for the immune system to fight it. There are mainly two kinds of fungi, one which is helpful to the body and one that causes harm. 

Factors such as the environment you stay in, outbreaks, or immunity strength act as contributing factors to the development of such infections. In the article below, we shall throw light on some of the common fungal infections, their causes, and available treatment options to help you manage them better.   

What Are Fungal Infections?

Fungal infections, also commonly known as mycosis, are diseases that stem from certain fungi present in our environment. They can cause rashes or redness on the skin, leading to itching and irritation. However, it is very common for people to get confused between fungal and bacterial infections. While bacterial infections cause swelling and pus formation and are treated with antibiotics, fungal infections cause scaling and discoloured patches and require antifungal medications to be treated.  

Causes of Fungal Infections

Yeast and moulds are two of the common types of fungus that lead to infections. Some infections are known to be opportunistic, which means they typically don’t cause illnesses but are fully capable of taking advantage of certain situations, such as environmental factors or a weak immune system.

Other factors that contribute to the development of fungal infections include:

• Visiting a place with excessive fungi.
• Improper hygiene.
• Warm or humid environments.
• Use of contaminated items. 
• Fungi outbreaks. 

Common Types of Fungal Infections

Fungal infections can affect any part of the body, including the skin, hair, lungs, heart, and even the brain. Such infections can range from easily treatable conditions to life-threatening illnesses. Therefore, it is important to be well aware and take appropriate actions to prevent them from occurring. Listed below are some of the common fungal infections, their symptoms, and suitable treatment options. 

1. Athlete’s Foot (Tinea Pedis)

As the name suggests, Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that is highly common among sportspersons. This particular fungus grows rapidly in moist regions such as socks, sports equipment, locker rooms, etc. Not just athletes but people living in warm climatic conditions are also susceptible to the infection. 

Some of the common symptoms of the athlete’s foot include discolouration in the infected area, itching, cracking of the skin, stinging sensation, scaling, and burning. Doctors may often diagnose the condition just by looking at the infected area or by scraping the scaling surface of the skin to check for fungus. Topical antifungal ointments or certain oral medications are also prescribed for this condition. 

2. Ringworm (Tinea Corporis)

Ringworm or Tinea Corporis is an infection that stems from a fungus which lives off of dead tissues such as the hair, skin, nail cells, etc. Doctors often take a sample of the skin to check for the exact type of infection. It is a highly contagious condition and can easily spread through touch. Common symptoms include an itchy circular patch with raised borders, scaly skin, redness, etc.

These patches may appear pinkish on light skin and brownish-grey on darker skin tones. Additionally, the ringworm fungus is known to infect dirt and soil, making people working or playing in soil susceptible to it. While common OTC creams are sufficient to cure the infection, severe cases wherein the patches are prevalent on the scalp may call for prescriptions. 

3. Yeast Infections (Candidiasis)

Yeast infections are common among women and are often caused due to an overgrowth of the Candida fungus that leads to a disruption in the balance of yeast and bacteria in the vagina. Such infections can occur due to high amounts of stress, increased blood sugar levels, hormone imbalances, or even certain antibiotics. Symptoms of the condition include itching, burning, and swelling near the vagina, unusual discharge, rashes, etc. 

Similar to most fungal infection treatment options, this, too, depends on the severity of the condition. Doctors might perform a thorough analysis by asking for information about the person’s medical history, antibiotic use, etc. They may also perform certain examinations to get an accurate diagnosis for quick treatment. 

4. Jock Itch (Tinea Cruris)

Similar to the athlete’s foot, the fungus that causes jock itch prefers moist and warm parts of the body like the inner thighs, buttock or the groin. The condition isn’t highly contagious but can spread through direct contact. Its symptoms include discoloured skin at the infected areas, pink or brown patches depending on the person’s skin tone, itching, burning, circular shaped rashes with raised edges similar to that of a ringworm.

What are the Treatment Options for Fungal Infections?

Depending on the type of fungal infection you are infected with, its severity and other associated medical factors, the doctor might opt for any of the following fungal infection treatment options:

• Topical Antifungal Medicines
• Oral Antifungal Medicines
• Intravenous Antifungal Therapy
• Surgery

Conclusion

Fungi are naturally present in the environment around us at all times. As mentioned earlier, not all fungi are harmful, and therefore, it is common for some people to get infected and some to not. Factors such as a person’s immunity, climatic conditions, and underlying health factors act as contributors to such infections. If you fall prey to such infections, it is best to visit your healthcare provider as soon as possible and obtain the necessary prescriptions to treat the condition immediately. At Zenplus Private Limited, we value early diagnosis and care, especially when dealing with infections that may appear minor at first but have the potential to transform into life-threatening conditions. 

FAQs

1. What are fungal infections?

Fungal infections are diseases that occur when certain fungal microbes become too prevalent in any specific area of the body, making it difficult for the immune system to fight them.

2. Are fungal infections contagious?

While not all, some fungal infections such as the ringworm or the jock itch are contagious in nature. 

3. How are fungal infections diagnosed?

Different types of fungal infections have different diagnoses. While some can be diagnosed simply by looking at them, others might require a thorough examination and analysis.