Fungi are microorganisms found anywhere in the atmosphere, such as water, air, on the surface, and the human body. There are millions of species of fungi present in the environment; a few are responsible for causing human infection. Fungal infection or mycosis occurs when a fungus settles on the area, producing a rash and causing itching, redness, or irritation on your skin, hair, nails, or mucous membrane. The infection can occur in the mouth, throat, lungs, urinary tract and many other parts of your body when you have a weakened immune system, poor circulation or diabetes. It can cause various types of fungal diseases like athlete’s foot, jock itch, ringworm, and thrush. Fungal treatment is important and mainly depends on your infection type and whether or not you get such infections regularly.
What are the Types of Fungal Infections?
The type of fungal infection depends on its location, such as the surface of the skin, nails, or mucous membranes (superficial or mucocutaneous), under the skin (subcutaneous), or deep infection in other organs of the body, like the lungs, brain, or heart.
The types of fungal infections are as follows:
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Superficial fungal Infections
The infection is called superficial fungal infection when fungus grows on your nails, skin, and mucous membranes, causing diseases like:
Ringworm (dermatophytosis): It includes a group of fungi that live off skin, hair and nail cells causing ringworm. This type of fungus affects feet (Tinea pedis or athlete’s foot), groin and inner thighs (Tinea cruris or jock itch), scalp (Tinea capitis), hands (Tinea manuum), facial hair and skin around it (Tinea barbae) and other parts of the body (Tinea corporis).
Onychomycosis: When a group of fungi causes infections in the fingernails or toenails, it is known as onychomycosis. This type of fungus makes your nails discolored and cracked.
Candidiasis: The fungus causes infection in the skin and mucous membranes. This type of fungus, including esophageal candidiasis and candidal intertrigo, causes oral thrush, diaper rash, vaginal yeast infections, etc.
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Subcutaneous fungal infections
When you get a fungal infection under the surface of the skin (subcutaneous) due to some cut or wound, it is called subcutaneous fungal infection. Such fungal infection may occur through injury while working with plants, thorns, bushes, etc. Subcutaneous fungal infection causes rashes, ulcers, and other symptoms on your skin. Subcutaneous fungal infections include:
Sporotrichosis: It is caused by a fungus called Sporothrix, which affects the lungs and other parts of the body.
Chromoblastomycosis: Such fungal infection causes long-lasting (chronic) skin infections.
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Deep fungal infections
Deep fungal infections are found in your lungs, blood, urinary tract, or brain due to opportunistic infections. It includes:
Histoplasmosis: It is caused by the fungus Histoplama, which affects your lungs, brain, and other parts of your body.
Coccidioidomycosis: It is caused by the fungus Coccidioides affecting your lungs.
Blastomycosis: It is caused by the fungus Blastomyces, which affects your bones, skin, and lungs.
Aspergillosis: It is caused by the fungus Aspergillus, leading to several types of lung infections, including allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) and chronic pulmonary aspergillosis.
Invasive candidiasis: Candida is caused by invasive candidiasis, which mainly affects the heart, blood (candidemia), brain, eyes (endophthalmitis), and bones.
Pneumocystis pneumonia (PJP): It is caused by the fungus Pneumocystis jirovecii, affecting your lungs.
Mucormycosis: In this type of infection, a group of molds called mucormycetes cause mucormycosis affecting the sinuses and brain (rhinocerebral mucormycosis), lungs (pulmonary mucormycosis), intestines (gastrointestinal mucormycosis), skin (cutaneous mucormycosis) etc.
Cryptococcosis: Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii causative agents cause cryptococcosis that usually infects your lungs, brain, and spinal cord (cryptococcal meningitis).
Conclusion
Fungi are around you all the time and live naturally in your body. Some fungus may grow in the form of infection when you have a weakened immune system, causing fungal infections. It is advisable to consult a doctor if you have fungal infections. Your doctor can guide you in dealing with the condition and suggest a mycology test to determine the cause and type of fungal infection to treat your condition. You can also opt for a health insurance policy to help you manage hospital bills, including laboratory tests and regular health checkups.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a certified medical and/or nutrition professional for any questions. Relying on any information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk, and ICICI Lombard is not responsible for any effects or consequences resulting from the use of the information shared.