Have you ever noticed red, itchy, scaly, small bumps or lesions between the toes, groin, buttocks, or under the breasts? This can be because of Fungal Infections. Now, as monsoon is near, the fungal infection tends to increase as it gets the favourable environment to breed and grow.

What is a Fungal Infection:

A Fungal Infection, caused by a fungus can affect the skin, hairs, and nails. Fungal infections are quite common among humans and everybody is most likely gets affected at some stage in life. This is caused by microscopic fungi that live outdoors in soil, on plants, as well as on household surfaces and on the skin. The other causes can be attributed to change in socio-economic status, lifestyle, and migration. There are some fungi that live naturally in the body, sometimes they are helpful and sometimes harmful like many other microbes. A fungal infection occurs when a harmful and an invading fungus takes over an area of the body and it gets difficult for the immune system to handle.

Who can get infected:

Some of the best dermatologists of Mumbai have advised on maintaining a good immune system, because a weakened body is more likely to contract a fungal infection. Various medications like antibiotics and the ones used to treat arthritis may increase the chance of getting a fungal infection. People living with HIV/AIDS are also more likely to get fungal infections.

It can also be caused due to continuous sweating specially under breast and groin region. Fungal Infections can be superficial and deep which resides in the layers of the epidermis, or to the hairs and the nails.

Common symptoms:

It is highly recommended to consult the best dermatologist near you or a skin specialist near you when you observe the below listed symptoms:

Darkened skin or loss of colour in the infected part
Rashes, small bumps with raised edges
Peeling of the skin in the infected area
Itching, burning sensation in the affected area
Swelling and soreness on and surrounding the vagina
Unusual vaginal discharge
Types of Fungal Infection:

The top dermatologists in India have rounded up on the various conditions and the common types of fungal infections with their years of experiences. Those are listed below:

Athlete’s Foot: Tinea Pedis or Athlete’s Foot is commonly associated with the foot of the sportspersons or athletes because the fungus finds a favourable condition of warm, moist environment to breed and grow such as socks and shoes.
Yeast infection or Candidiasis: This is a common form of candida overgrowth in women that disrupts the normal balance of the yeast and the bacteria in the vagina. These infections can also cause toenail infections and diaper rash. The reasons can be attributed to antibiotics, stress, hormonal imbalance, or poor eating habits.
Jock Itch: Tinea cruris or Jock Itch is another common form of Fungal Infection. This develop in the warm and moist environments and thrive in the damp areas of the body like groin, buttocks, and inner thighs. This infection is mildly contagious and can spread through direct contact with the infected person.
Ringworm: Tinea corporis or Ringworm is another common form of fungal infection caused by a fungus that lives on dead tissues like skin, hair, and nails. This infection appears like a red patch with raised and bumpy outlines and a clear and scaly inner side. Ringworms are highly contagious and can transmit by skin-to-skin contact.
Treatments and Prevention:

It is extremely important to consult an expert skin doctor when there are visible signs of infection. After confirming a diagnosis, the skin specialist will recommend a treatment or medication, depending on the severity or the type of the infection.

Creams and medicated ointments, along with oral and topical drugs are sufficient to treat common fungal infections. Other important things are to maintain personal hygiene like taking regular baths, wear properly washed and dried clothes, use soft and comfortable clothes preferably cotton. Other basic hygiene includes drying of hands and feet properly after wash and avoid wearing undergarments when possible, and clean and dry bath towels and soaps.

Dr Soma Sarkar, one of the top skin doctor in Mumbai, has experience of over 14 years in the field of aesthetics and clinical dermatology. She goes through a proper counselling with her patients to understand the underlying problems and then advise treatments accordingly. Her treatments are clinically proven and well equipped with the latest technologies which results in satisfied and happy patients.