What do you think of when you hear the word fungus? Do you think
of mushrooms? A mushroom is one type of fungus, but fungus also
refers to a type of
germ
that lives on all of us.
This germ is harmless most of the time, but sometimes it can
cause a problem called a
fungal infection
(say:
fung
-gul in-
fek
-shun). It sounds gross, but don't worry or feel embarrassed. A
lot of people get fungal infections, but they're usually easy
to treat becuase a fungus rarely spreads below the
skin
. If you get one of these infections, before you know it,
you'll be saying bye-bye to fungi (say:
fung
-guy).
What Is a Fungal Infection?
Fungi
, the word for more than one fungus, can be found on different
parts of the body. Here are some common types of fungal
infections:
Tinea
(say:
tih
-nee-uh) is a type of fungal infection of the
hair
, skin, or
nails
. When it's on the skin, tinea usually begins as a small red
area the size of a pea. As it grows, it spreads out in a circle or
ring. Tinea is often called ringworm because it may look like tiny
worms are under the skin (but of course, they're not!). Because
the fungi that cause tinea (ringworm) live on different parts of
the body, they are named for the part of the body they infect.
Scalp ringworm is found on the head, and body ringworm affects the
arms, legs, or chest.
Athlete's foot
is another type of fungal infection that usually appears between
the toes but can also affect toenails and the bottom or sides of
the feet.
Jock itch
is a fungal infection of the groin and upper thighs. You might
think only men and boys get it, but girls and women can get it,
too.
Candida
(say:
kan
-duh-duh) is a yeast, similar to a fungus. It most often affects
the skin around the nails or the soft, moist areas around body
openings. Diaper rash in babies can be from one type of candidal
infection, as can thrush (white patches often found in the mouths
of babies.) Older girls and women may develop another form of
candidal infection in and around the vagina. This is called a yeast
infection.
Why Do Kids Get Fungal Infections?
Lots of kids get fungal infections. Kids love to share and hang
out together. Some of these infections are
contagious
(say: kon-
tay
-jus), which means they easily spread from person to person. Close
contact or sharing a comb or hairbrush with someone who has tinea
can spread the fungus from one person to another. Because fungi
need a warm, dark, and humid place to grow, public showers, pools,
locker rooms, and even the warmth of shoes and socks can give fungi
the perfect opportunity to strike.
Taking antibiotics can cause some kids to get a yeast infection.
Antibiotics get rid of germs that make us sick, but they can also
kill many of the harmless bacteria in our body. These harmless
bacteria normally fight with the yeast for a place to live, but
when antibiotics kill them, the yeast is free to grow.
Sometimes, a fungus may infect kids if they have an immune
system disorder (this means their bodies can't fight certain
types of infections). This is rare, but it does happen.
How Do I Know If I Have a Fungal Infection?
There are many skin problems that look like a fungal infection
so the best way to know for sure is to ask your
doctor
. Here are some signs you and a parent can look for:
-
Athlete's foot
causes symptoms that include red, dry, cracked, and itchy skin
between the toes. Some people also have red, scaly bumps filled
with pus on the bottoms and sides of their feet.
-
Jock itch
appears as a rash with elevated edges. It's itchy and often
feels like it is burning. It's pretty common, especially if
you play sports. Sweating and wearing athletic equipment can
bring on this kind of rash.
-
Ringworm
of the head begins as a small pimple or scaly patch that looks
like dandruff. The pimple or patch becomes larger and the hair in
the infected area can become brittle and break off. This can
create scaly patches of baldness, but the hair will grow back. If
you have ringworm on your arms, legs, or chest, you may see
small, red spots that grow into large rings.
-
Candida,
the yeast, causes the skin around the infected area to itch. The
skin may also be red and swollen.
Farewell to Fungus!
Getting rid of a fungal infection is not that difficult. Your
doctor may decide to scrape a small amount of the irritated skin or
clip off a piece of hair or nail and look at it under a microscope.
Once your doctor knows what kind of infection you have, there are
special antifungal creams and shampoos that can help to get rid of
it. Sometimes the doctor will prescribe a
medicine
to take. Make sure you take the medicine for as long as the doctor
tells you.
Maybe fungal infections can't be avoided altogether, but
there are some ways you can help yourself ward them off.
Walk away from athlete's foot by:
- Washing your feet every day.
- Drying your feet completely, especially between your
toes.
- Wearing sandals or shower shoes when walking around in locker
rooms, public pools, and public showers.
- Wearing clean socks. If they get wet or damp, be sure to
change them as soon as you can.
- Using a medicated powder on your feet to help reduce
perspiration. (Ask a parent first.)
You can ditch jock itch by:
- Wearing clean, cotton underwear and loose-fitting pants.
- Keeping your groin area clean and dry.
Prevent beastly yeast infections by:
- Changing out of wet swimsuits instead of lounging around in
them.
- Wearing clean, cotton underpants.
There may always be a "fungus among us," but we can
make it a lot tougher for them to invade and grow!
Reviewed by:
Patrice Hyde, MD
Date reviewed: September 2007
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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