With 27 Vital Nutrients including Choline and DHA For Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women
Use the timeline to find the stage of your pregnancy
LOGIN / SIGN UP
Welcome Guest 

Fungal infections

0 user(s) have rated this article. Average Rating:
Fungal infections are also called mycoses and can be caused by various types of fungi. Fungal organisms are ubiquitous in our environment and some even live within or on the human body. Of all the fungi in existence, only a few are particularly harmful in causing disease.

Fungal infections can frequently occur through the spores that can be lodged on your skin following exposure to air or water carrying these spores.
It is also possible to contract an infection by inhaling these spores; however, that is a rare possibility in most humans, excepting those who are required to be in constant contact with environs loaded with fungi as part of their occupation or individuals afflicted by AIDS.

Fungal infections have also been noticed as it occurs more frequently in individuals recovering from a debilitating disease or after a course of antibiotics.

The main problem with treating a fungal infection results from the ability of fungi being hard to destroy. They manage to persist in certain cases despite local application of strong antifungal agents and even oral administration of antifungal medication.

Classification of fungal infections
Fungal infections can be classified on the basis of their location in the tissuesof the body.

Superficial mycoses
  • These infections are limited to the outermost layers of the skin and hair.
  • Usually seen in young people over the chest, back and upper arms and legs.
  • This can be caused by the overgrowth of the fungi that normally live on human skin.
  • The fungus can cause symptoms marked by different-colored spots on the skin even in healthy individuals.
Cutaneous mycoses
  • These infections spread deeper into the epidermal layer of the skin and result incertain invasive hair and nail diseases.
  • The organisms that cause such infections are called dermatophytes.
  • Some of these infections are broadly called ring worm due to the discoid nature of the lesions.
Subcutaneous mycoses
  • These infections involve the tissues of the skin as well as the tissues and musclesunderneath.
  • They tend to be chronic infections and are usually initiated by some form of piercing trauma to the skin which would have resulted in introduction of the fungal organismor spore.
  • Such infections require long-term treatment with antifungal medicationsand can even require surgery for complete cure.
Systemic mycoses
  • Systemic infections can occur due to primary infection that would have entered thebody through the lungs.
  • Those fungi that cause systemic infections in the body are virulent in nature.
  • Some systemic fungal infections can be caused by opportunistic fungi or organisms that are normally present in the body and are harmless under normal conditions of health, but cause disease during periods when the immunity of the individual is low or impaired.
Treatment
  • The most common method of treating fungal infections is with antifungal agents.
  • Depending on the nature and location of the infection, the route of administration of the antifungal medication is determined.
  • Fungal infections tend to grow slowlyand symptoms manifest themselves after several months or years following infection.
  • However, symptoms can appear much faster in individuals who have a compromised immune system, such as people who have undergone organ transplants, have AIDS or cancer or even uncontrolled Diabetes.
  • Fungal infections in such individuals spread quickly to the other organs and can result in life-threatening infections and death.
  • Several drugs are available for the treatment of fungal infections, but the nature of their structures usually necessitates chronic treatment spread across several months.
  • Such long-term treatment with antifungals can damage the essential organs of the body including the liver and Kidneys.
  • Some newer techniques also include photoChemotherapy or photopheresis in the treatment of persistent infections.
Preventing fungal infections
  • As in most other diseases, prevention is an important measure while managing fungal infections.
  • It is important to maintain good hygiene by regular and scrupulous cleaning of the body, especially in the regions of joints and other skin folds.
  • The skin needs to be kept clean and dry.
  • It is advisable to wash hands thoroughly after touching animals or other infected people as fungal infections are contagious.
  • Clothes worn during sport activities or that which have been exposed to moderate sweating should be washed clean before they are worn again.
  • Open sandals or flip-flops are suitable footwear when visiting areas with water that is being used by other people, such as at swimming pools.
  • It is necessary to understand that most fungi would not cause an infection if the Immune System of the individual is strong and healthy. This implies the importance of maintaining a healthy body by a balanced routine of exercise, diet and adequate sleep.
  • Antibiotics can kill certain helpful bacteria that are present in the body. Thus, it is important to restore the helpful bacteria after a course of antibiotics. These helpful bacteria can be obtained from probiotic foods as well as some dairy products like curd or yoghurt.
  • A diet that is rich in micronutrients and vitamin C will result in an improved Immune System that can help fend off the onslaughts of milder infections.
  • Adequate attention to the inclusion of vitamins A and E in the diet can strengthen skin structure making it impervious to infection by fungal spores.











ask our expert



email this page Email This Page
rate this page Rate This Page
social Bookmarking Social Bookmarking
social Bookmarking Utility & Tools
[-] Site at a Glance
Privacy|Disclaimer|Terms & Conditions|FAQs|Expert Panel|Polls|Quizzes|Refer a Friend|Baby Names |Blog

Glossary| Find a Doctor| Find a Doctor by City|Health Videos| Calculators|Sitemap|Forum|Contact Us

Birth Stories|Share your stories|Baby Pictures|Is It Safe during Pregnancy?|Do’s and Dont’s of Pregnancy|User Survery Contest


With 27 Vital Nutrients including Choline and DHA For Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women
You may have found this page by searching for : ''Fungal infections,Classification, Superficial mycoses, Cutaneous mycoses, Treatment of fungal infections, Preventing fungal infections''.

© All Copyright reserved to Indian Womens Health
Site designed and managed by BioQuest Solutions Pvt. Ltd.