Finding Relief from Fungal Infections

Why People Get Fungal Infections

Fungi live all around us - in the air, soil, water, and even on our bodies. While most fungi are harmless, some can cause infections when they find the right conditions to grow. These microscopic organisms thrive in warm, moist environments, which is why certain areas of your body may be more likely to develop fungal infections than others.

Heat and humidity create perfect conditions for fungi to multiply. This explains why fungal infections often develop in areas where skin touches skin, such as between toes, in the groin area, or under breasts. Sweating during exercise or wearing damp clothes can create these warm, moist conditions that fungi need to grow.

Your risk of getting a fungal infection increases in certain situations. Walking barefoot in public showers or pools, sharing personal items like towels or hairbrushes, or wearing tight shoes that don't let your feet breathe can expose you to fungi. People with diabetes, those taking antibiotics, or individuals with weakened immune systems face higher risks of developing fungal infections.

Direct contact with someone who has a fungal infection or touching contaminated surfaces can spread fungi from person to person. Even your pets can pass certain fungal infections to you, which is why it's important to treat their skin conditions promptly.

Common Types of Fungal Infections

Most fungal infections affect your skin, nails, or mucous membranes. These infections often share common symptoms such as itching, scaly or peeling skin, and blisters.

Athlete's Foot

Athlete's foot typically develops between your toes, where moisture gets trapped. The skin becomes red, itchy, and may peel or crack. You might notice a burning or stinging sensation, especially between your toes or on the soles of your feet. Some people also develop small blisters that itch.

The infection can spread to other parts of your foot, causing scaling on your soles or inflammation along the sides of your feet. Without treatment, the skin can become raw and develop open sores.

Ringworm

Despite its name, ringworm isn't caused by a worm - it's a fungal infection that creates a ring-shaped rash on your skin. The rash appears as a red, scaly circle with raised edges and clearer skin in the center. It might be itchy, and the skin often feels rough and flaky.

Ringworm can show up anywhere on your body, but it's most common on exposed areas like your arms, legs, and face. The rash might start as a small patch and slowly grow larger over time.

Jock Itch

This infection appears in the groin area and often extends to the upper thighs. The rash forms a red, ring-shaped pattern with raised edges, similar to ringworm. You might notice intense itching, especially after exercise or during warm weather. The skin in the affected area can become red, flaky, and may develop small blisters.

Jock itch commonly affects people who sweat heavily or wear tight clothing for long periods.

Yeast Infections

Yeast infections can develop in various areas of the body where moisture gets trapped. The most common type is vaginal yeast infection, which causes itching, burning, and sometimes a thick, white discharge. You might notice redness and swelling in the vaginal area, and activities like urinating or sex might become uncomfortable.

Yeast infections can also appear in skin folds like under the breasts, in the armpits, or in the groin area. These areas might become red, itchy, and develop a rash with small red bumps or pimples. The skin might burn or feel raw, and you might notice an unpleasant odor. While yeast naturally exists on our skin and in our bodies, certain factors like antibiotics, pregnancy, diabetes, or excessive sweating can cause it to multiply rapidly, leading to an infection.

Nail Fungus

Nail fungus usually starts as a small white or yellow spot under the tip of your nail. As the infection spreads deeper, your nail might become discolored, thickened, and develop crumbly edges. The affected nail could separate from the nail bed, and you might notice a slightly foul odor.

Toenails are more commonly affected than fingernails because they're often confined in warm, moist shoes - perfect conditions for fungi to thrive.

Other Fungal Infections

Other types of fungal infections can affect your skin and body.

• Tinea versicolor appears as light or dark patches on your skin, often on the chest, back, or shoulders, and becomes more noticeable in summer months when surrounding skin tans.
• Oral thrush causes white patches in your mouth and can make food taste different.
• Intertrigo is a rash that forms in deep skin folds, particularly during warm weather or after exercise.

While these infections are less common, they respond to many of the same treatments as other fungal infections.

Treatment Options for Fungal Infections

Many fungal infections respond well to over-the-counter treatments. For athlete's foot, ringworm, and jock itch, antifungal creams, sprays, or powders containing miconazole or clotrimazole often clear the infection within a few weeks. Nail fungus might require special antifungal nail solutions, while oral yeast infections can be treated with antifungal lozenges or mouth rinses. Your pharmacist can provide more information about over-the-counter treatments.

However, some situations call for medical attention. Visit an urgent care clinic near you if your infection doesn't improve after two weeks of over-the-counter treatment, if the infection spreads to new areas, or if you develop signs of a bacterial infection like warmth, swelling, or drainage. People with diabetes should seek medical care for any fungal infection to prevent complications.

At an urgent care visit for a fungal infection, your provider will examine the affected area and might take a small scraping of skin, nail, or discharge to confirm the diagnosis. They'll ask about previous treatments you've tried and any underlying health conditions. Based on the type and severity of your infection, they might prescribe stronger antifungal medications, either topical or oral.

Your provider will also help identify factors that might be causing recurring infections. For example, if you frequently get athlete's foot, they might recommend different shoes or suggest ways to keep your feet drier throughout the day. They can also check for conditions like diabetes that might make you more prone to fungal infections.

Special Considerations for Fungal Infections

If you get frequent fungal infections, this might signal an underlying health condition that needs attention. Your primary care doctor can help identify potential causes, such as immune system issues or hormonal changes, and develop a long-term prevention plan.

People with diabetes face special challenges with fungal infections. Higher blood sugar levels can fuel fungal growth, making infections more common and harder to treat. If you have diabetes, even a minor fungal infection deserves prompt medical attention to prevent complications.

While urgent care clinics can effectively treat most fungal infections, some situations call for a visit to your primary care doctor. Choose urgent care when you need same-day treatment for a new or worsening infection.

Schedule with your primary care doctor for recurring infections, ongoing management of risk factors like diabetes, or when you need a long-term treatment plan to prevent future infections.

Preventing Fungal Infections

Small changes in your daily routine can help prevent fungal infections.

• Keep your skin clean and dry, paying special attention to areas where skin touches skin. After showering, dry yourself thoroughly, especially between your toes and in skin folds.
• Change out of damp clothes, including sweaty workout gear, as soon as possible.
• Wear breathable fabrics that wick moisture away from your skin. Choose shoes that allow air circulation, and alternate pairs daily to let them dry completely.
• In public areas like pools or gym showers, wear water shoes or shower sandals to protect your feet.
• Avoid shared personal items like towels, hairbrushes, or nail clippers. If someone in your household has a fungal infection, wash towels and bedding in hot water and keep personal care items separate.

Preventing fungal infections starts with understanding where and why they develop. While you can't avoid fungi completely, you can create an environment that makes it harder for them to cause problems.

Fungal infections are a common health concern that affects many people. If you suspect you have a fungal infection, remember that urgent care providers treat these conditions all the time: there's no need to feel embarrassed or delay getting care.

At MedHelp urgent care clinics in Birmingham, our experienced providers offer personalized treatment for fungal infections in a comfortable setting. We take time to understand your symptoms and develop an effective treatment plan that works for you.

Our urgent care clinics are open seven days a week with extended hours on weekdays, making it convenient to get care that fits your schedule. No appointment is needed for urgent care visits.