
Overview of Fungal Infections

Fungal infections happen when fungi infect or colonize parts of your body. Once a person is infected, the fungal infection can spread easily to anyone who contacts the infected area. In some cases, fungal infections can also spread on surfaces.
Microscopic fungi are virtually everywhere. They live on surfaces, skin, plants, and meat. Issues arise when certain types of fungi infect the body. Minor fungal infections are an annoyance, but serious fungal infections are sometimes life-threatening.
Knowing the signs and symptoms of a fungal infection is important to early recognition and treatment. With the right approach, almost every fungal infection will resolve in days, and you can be back at what you’re doing without any pain, redness, or other symptoms.
Here’s a basic overview of fungal infections and other information you should know.
Common Signs and Symptoms of Fungal Infections
Fungal infections are also called mycosis. Most are harmless, but some of them can be very dangerous and lead to harmful infections. They often thrive in moist areas of the body like the feet, armpits, pubic areas, etc.
In many cases, a fungal infection is a minor inconvenience. It causes symptoms like itching, redness, swelling, and flaky skin. Common examples of fungal infections include:
Yeast infections
Ringworm
Onychomycosis (infections of the toenail)
Not every kind of fungal infection is visible. However, some fungi trigger sickness in humans, particularly in people with compromised immune systems.
Treating Fungal Infections
Typically, people treat fungal infections with over-the-counter treatments. Pharmacies, grocery stores, …