Fungal Infection Awareness Month: Recognize, Respond, Recover

Early Detection Saves Lives – Learn the Symptoms, Understand the Risks

May is designated as Fungal Infection Awareness Month. This month is dedicated to increasing public awareness of the risks associated with fungal infections. It draws attention to the harm that infected individuals may suffer. They often remain undiagnosed. For infected patients that raises the risk of death and other health issues. It is now more difficult to treat fungal infections due to the growing prevalence of drug resistance. To guarantee that patients can be cured, early detection and treatment become essential. In addition to raising money for research and treatment development this month aims to increase public awareness of the symptoms of these infections. 

Fungal Infections: What are They?

Mycosis also known as fungal infections is a disease brought on by a fungus (mold or yeast). Although fungal infections are most frequently found on the skin or nails they can also affect the mouth, throat, lungs, urinary tract and many other areas of the body. 

What is Fungi?

Living organisms that are categorized differently from plants or animals are fungi. They disperse or release reproductive parts or spores into the atmosphere or surroundings. Although many fungi are naturally found in our mouths gastrointestinal tracts and skin they can overgrow in specific situations. 

Few fungi are known to cause disease in humans despite the fact that scientists estimate there are millions of them in the world. This includes specific molds and yeasts.

Describe the Appearance of a Fungal Infection

Your skin may appear red, swollen or lumpy if you have a fungal infection. You may notice a lump beneath your skin or they may appear as a rash. Your nails may become thick, cracked or discolored (yellow, brown or white) as a result of fungal infections. A white coating or patches may appear as a result of fungal infections in your mouth or throat. 

For Whom are Fungal Infections Most Likely to Occur?

A fungal infection can strike anyone particularly if it affects the skin or nails. The areas of your body that have a lot of friction or retain moisture are more susceptible to fungal infections. If you suffer from diabetes, poor circulation or a compromised immune system you are more susceptible to infections, particularly serious ones. 

• HIV and AIDS
• Cancer or the cure for it
• Immunosuppressive drugs (for organ stem cell or bone marrow transplants or autoimmune diseases). 

Types of Fungal Infections

Fungal infections can be superficial or mucocutaneous affecting the skin nails or mucous membranes subcutaneously affecting the skin beneath the skin or deeply affecting the lungs, brain or heart. 

• Ringworm (dermatophytosis)

The fungi that cause ringworm are called dermatophytes and they feed on the cells of the skin, hair and nails. Your feet (tinea pedis/athlete’s foot) groin and inner thighs (tinea cruris/jock itch) scalp (tinea capitis) hands (tinea manuum) facial hair and surrounding skin (tinea barbae) and other body parts (tinea corporis) can all be infected by them. 

• Onychomycosis

Numerous fungal species can lead to onychomycosis or infections of the fingernails or toenails. Nails that are cracked and discolored may result from this. 

• Candidiasis

Known as candidiasis Candida (most often Candida albicans) causes infections of the skin and mucous membranes (mucocutaneous). These include vulvovaginitis esophageal candidiasis candidal intertrigo vaginal yeast infections oral thrush and certain forms of diaper rash. 

• Versicolor Tinea/Pityriasis Versicolor

The skin discoloration known as tinea versicolor or pityriasis versicolor is brought on by the fungus Malassezia. 

• Rose Gardeners Disease or Sporotrichosis

Sporotrichosis is caused by the fungus Sporothrix. Sporotrichosis can also affect other areas of your body such as your lungs. 

• Chronic Chromoblastomycosis

Numerous fungi have the ability to cause chromoblastomycosis. It may result in chronic long-lasting skin infections. It rarely moves to other areas of your body. eumycetoma. 

A wide variety of fungi can cause eumycetoma. Usually it affects your feet.

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Symptoms of Fungal Infections

The type of fungal infection you have and its location on your body determine the symptoms you experience. Your skin nails or mucous membranes – such as your mouth, throat or vagina – are where symptoms are most frequently found. Infections of the sinuses intestinal tract, brain, eyes or lungs can occasionally cause symptoms. 

• The affected area may be itchy, sore red or rashy. 
• nails that are thick, cracked or discolored. 
• White spots in the mouth or throat taste loss or discomfort during eating. 
• A lump under your skin that doesn’t hurt. 

Surrounding Your Brain

symptoms such as headache fever, neck pain, light sensitivity nausea and vomiting. 

Eye

Redness discharges pain tearing blurred vision and light sensitivity. 

Intestinal System

Nausea, vomiting and stomach aches.

Sinuses

Fever headache, nasal congestion, facial pain and swelling on one side.

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Causes of Fungal Infections

Mold yeast and other fungi are the causes of fungal infections. While most fungi do not cause illness in humans some do. Some infections are opportunistic which means they can exploit specific circumstances such as a compromised immune system but typically do not cause infections. 

The following are a few common fungi that can infect you. 

• Dermatophytes

The fungus known as dermatophytes feeds on keratin which is found in your hair nails and epidermis in general. No living tissue is infected by them. 

• Candida

A yeast called Candida albicans naturally exists on your body and typically does not cause any issues. It can become overgrown in some situations resulting in redness and itching. Serious infections are an uncommon side effect. 

• Fungi 

Fungi are found in environments that are found in water or soil. Aspergillus Coccidioides Blastomyces and Histoplasma are a few examples.  

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