antifungal creams

A fungal skin infection is a contagious skin infection that occurs due to a fungus and can occur anywhere on the body. Fungal infections are typically spread to others through touch (handshake, hug, etc). The fungal skin infections are usually experienced with symptoms like rashes, irritation, bumps, redness, scaly skin, redness, itching, or blisters.

Skin fungus usually grows in moist environments — so you can get it from showers, locker rooms, gyms, and touching objects that someone with a fungal skin infection has touched before.

There are a number of fungal infection treatments for the skin, the most commonly used are over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal creams, especially in mild cases. However, in some cases, a prescription medication may be recommended by your GP.

What are the most common types of fungal skin infections?

1. Yeast infections

Different kinds of yeast infections tend to occur in moist areas of your body such as the mouth or a woman’s vagina. It can cause stinging, itching, burning, and general discomfort. Treatment depends on where the yeast infection is located, but most skin yeast infections disappear quickly with medicated antifungal creams.

2. Athlete’s Foot

If the skin between your toes feels like it’s burning, gets moist, and starts to flake, or your feet are itching like crazy, this is usually a symptom of a very common skin fungus called Athlete’s Foot.

Treatment for athlete’s foot usually involves OTC fungal infection creams for feet, gels, powders, or sprays that you can find at your local pharmacy.

3. Jock Itch

Jock Itch is caused by warmth and moisture in certain areas of your body like your groin, inner thighs, or buttocks, creating itchy and uncomfortable rash.

Using an OTC powder, spray, antifungal cream or medication such as Fluconazole oral capsule can help relieve the itching.

4. Ringworm

This is a highly contagious fungal skin infection that forms a ring-shaped rash with a winding, worm-like edge around it. Ringworm typically causes cracked skin, itchy, red, and scaly skin in a circular shape.

Use an OTC fungal infection cream to treat ringworm.

5. Toenail fungus

Toenail fungus is a common fungal infection that develops around your toenails, causing your nails to turn a different colour, break easily, or become thicker than normal.

The good news is that most fungal skin infections are treatable with OTC medications that you can easily buy at Pearl Chemist Group pharmacies with locations throughout South London.