Although there are millions of species of fungi, only about 300 of them can actually cause infections in humans. There are several types of fungal infections that can affect your skin.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the most common fungal skin infections and the ways they can be treated and prevented.
Fungi live everywhere. They can be found in plants, soil, and even on your skin. These microscopic organisms on your skin typically don’t cause any problem, unless they multiply faster than normal or penetrate your skin through a cut or lesion.
Since fungi thrive in warm, moist environments, fungal skin infections can often develop in sweaty or damp areas that don’t get much airflow. Some examples include the feet, groin, and folds of skin.
Often, these infections appear as a scaly rash or discoloration of the skin that is often itchy.
Some fungal skin infections are very common. Although the infection can be annoying and uncomfortable, it’s typically not serious.
Fungal skin infections are often spread through direct contact. This can include coming into contact with fungi on clothing or other items, or on a person or animal.
