Skin mycosis is a widespread disease that can affect both adults and children. It is a fungal infection that affects the skin, hair, nails, and mucous membranes. Contracting the disease is quite simple since the pathogens that are responsible for it are found everywhere: from gyms to swimming pools, from the beach to places frequented by animals such as cats and dogs. Mycoses manifest themselves with white or reddish spots scattered in certain areas of the body and accompanied by a strong sensation of discomfort and itching.
There are four types of mycosis:
• Superficial: they affect the skin, hair, or nails. When the infection arrives, in particular, to fingernails or toenails it is also called onychomycosis.
• Subcutaneous: they are more invasive than the previous ones, but are limited to the dermis and the structures immediately under the skin.
• Systemic: they concern the internal organs such as example, the lungs.
• Opportunistic: they only attack people with immune deficiency, ie those who do not have sufficient immune defenses to fight the pathogen.
Causes And Symptoms Of Mycosis Of The Skin
Skin mycoses can affect various areas of the body: face, trunk, hands, and feet. Particularly exposed is the skin of children.
The most common symptoms of this disorder are:
• White or reddish spots;
• Itching.
• Redness of the skin.
It is possible to identify different types of skin fungi. Among the latter, tinea corporis stands out, a real form of ringworm that can affect the body and face.
The fungi responsible for mycosis infections can be classified into three categories:
• Dermatophytes: these are pathogens that can infect the trunk ( tinea unguium ) and inguinal folds ( tinea curis ).
• Yeasts: these are single-celled microorganisms that reproduce quickly and are located in warm-humid areas of the body such as armpits, toes, or genital areas.
• Molds: multicellular and filamentous fungi such as Alternaria, aspergillus, and fusarium are among the main causes of deep and systemic mycoses.
Not always when you come into contact with fungi you come across an infection: in reality, these fungi coexist peacefully with the human body and, only in some cases (such as when the immune defenses are weakened), can they become a problem.
Remedies And Treatments For Cutaneous Mycosis
Treatment of cutaneous mycosis must be timely so that the infection does not spread. The treatment usually involves the use of antifungals that aim to eradicate the fungus, especially when this is not possible through natural remedies.
Generally, drugs for mycosis of the skin are offered in the form of topical sprays, creams, mousses, lotions, nail polishes, detergents, and shampoos.
In severe cases, oral medicines can be used: this happens when the patient does not find any benefit from the preparations that are applied locally.
Among the main antifungal drugs are:
• Clotrimazole: to treat cases of cutaneous candidiasis, pityriasis Versicolor, onychomycosis, and mycosis of the skin.
• Ketoconazole: to treat cutaneous candidiasis and ringworms of different origins.
• Terbinafine: indicated for eradicating skin disorders caused by dermatophytes and yeasts.
In order not to run into this unpleasant pathology, prevention plays a fundamental role. In fact, it is important not to walk barefoot in public places such as swimming pools and gyms and to take care of your personal hygiene by avoiding exchanging clothes and towels with other people.
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