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Have you ever heard of the word “fungus” before? You may think of mushrooms when you hear the word “fungus”. One example of a fungus is a mushroom but a fungus also means a germ that lives on our bodies. It sounds fairly harmless and it usually is but sometimes it can cause fungal infections. The problem with fungal infections is that they may be somewhat unsightly and embarrassing but treatment for them is easy as a fungus typically stays only on the skin and rarely penetrates below it.

I, personally, have never suffered from fungal infections but I know people who have and these fungal infections have typically caused them some discomfort. As someone who has been lucky enough never to have gotten a fungal infection. I am going to teach you how to look for the signs of fugal infections, what they are and how to treat them.

There are various types of fungal infections. A fungal infection of the hair, nails or skin is known an tinea. Certain factors can cause the normal fungus on the skin to convert to a fungal infection, which starts as a small red area about the size of a pea. It then grows in a ring or circle as it gets bigger. Tinea is sometimes called ringworm because of this effect but no tiny worms live under the skin. The fungi, plural for fungus, that cause ringworm get their names for the parts of the body they infect. Fungal infections of the head are known as scalp ringworm and ringworm can also appear on the arms, legs or chest. Fungal infections that are found between the toes is known as athlete’s foot and fungal infections of the groin and upper thighs is known as jock itch. You may think jock itch is a male problem but women can get it as well. Candida is a yeast, similar to a fungus and is typically found around the nails or on the moist and soft areas surrounding body openings. A Candida infection can cause diaper rash in babies and a yeast infection in and around the vagina can be found in older girls and women.

Fungal infections can be gotten from someone who come in contact with who has it or by sharing a comb or hairbrush with this person. Public showers, pools and locker rooms are also good places to get fungal infections because fungi need a warm, humid and dark place to grow and these places give the fungi just the right conditions to do so. I tend not to go from public pools and the like which might explain why I’ve never gotten fungal infections.

Regardless of where the infection comes from, the most important thing is being able to recognize it so you can address the issue immediately. Some of the signs you can look for are cracked, red, dry and itchy skin between the toes if you have athlete’s foot. An itchy, burning rash in the groin area means jock itch, particularly brought on by sweating and wearing athletic equipment. Ringworm typically starts as a small pimple or scaly patch. A hair grows in the infected area and can become brittle. With Candida, the skin around the infected area itches and may also be red and swollen.

As horrible as these symptoms may sound, getting rid of fungal infections is rather straightforward. You can easily purchase an over the counter antifungal cream or shampoo that will rid you of the infection. In severe cases you should probably see a doctor.

No one likes fungal infections so don’t waste time and do something today to get rid of your fungal infections.