Fungal infections

A fungal infection is a disruption of the skin culture, of which candidiasis is the best known. The disruption can be a result of illness or medication use, but sometimes no special cause can be identified.

What is a fungal infection?

A fungal infection of the skin, nails and vagina is common. Fungi live around us, in the air and on the ground, making them part of the natural microflora. There are normal amounts of fungi on every body and it does no harm. If the fungi gain the upper hand, the balance is disturbed and inflammation can occur. Medication or illness are important causes of fungal infections because they affect the body's immune system and thus weaken the natural defense against fungi.

How do I recognize a fungal infection?

Because there are many types of fungal infections, there is no single guideline on how to recognize an infection. Below are some important symptoms by which you can recognize an infection.

Vaginal yeast infection

You experience itching and irritation around your vagina and vulva, a burning sensation during toilet use and during sex, changing color of discharge .

Fungal skin infection

You will get one or more spots of flakes on the skin, sometimes with a red spot. The edges may be somewhat thicker and the spots may itch or burn.

A fungus that is deeper in the skin may come from your pet. If this is the case, your pet should be examined by the vet to ensure that the fungus cannot return to you via your pet.

Can I do something about it myself?

The advice is to wash the skin without soap as much as possible, dry the skin thoroughly and wear clean, spacious clothing . Cotton clothing and underwear are the best choice because they are breathable and less abrasive on the skin.

Use a separate towel to dry the mold areas to prevent cross-contamination. Wear slippers in damp areas, such as public showers and swimming pools, and wear airy shoes such as sandals or leather or linen shoes.

Can the pharmacist do anything for me?

A fungal infection usually goes away on its own. You can treat the spots with ointment to reduce contamination. You can buy ointments such as terbinafine, miconazole or clotrimazole at the pharmacy without a prescription.

If the creams do not work well because the fungus is too deep in the skin, you can also try pills to stop the infection . You can discuss with your doctor whether using pills is an option, as this can reduce the effect of other medications and have side effects.

It can sometimes take weeks for the skin to heal completely and a fungal infection can easily come back. By following the advice mentioned above you can easily prevent the mold from returning, but it cannot be completely ruled out.