Candidiasis of the skin
Candidiasis of the skin refers to superficial lesions of the human skin, which is provoked by a fungus of the genus Candida. Externally, the skin fungus is manifested by edematous red lesions with erosions, papules or vesicles. As a rule, localization occurs in the skin folds of the axillary or inguinal areas, under the mammary glands and in the spaces between the fingers.
Recently, fungal infections have become much more frequent, and in people of completely different ages. The fact is that Candida fungi belonging to the conditionally pathogenic flora are present in every person’s body. Their activation indicates a malfunction in the functioning of the body’s systems and, above all, a decrease in immunity.
Causes of activation of skin fungus
As a rule, Candida fungus enters the human body in the first year of his life, and are there referring to the natural flora. Fungal diseases worsen at the moment when fungi move from a saprophytic state to a pathogenic one.
There can be many reasons for such a transition, first of all, endocrine changes, namely:
metabolic disorders;
imbalance of intestinal microflora;
weakening of the body’s defenses;
vitamin deficiency;
chronic infections;
sweating;
decreased immunity.
Some types of drug treatment can provoke fungal diseases, for example, taking antibiotics, corticosteroids, cytostatics.
Some exogenous causes can also provoke the activity of fungi. For example, increased humidity, since it is the humid environment that is most favorable for the development of fungi and their transition to a pathogenic state. Therefore, candidiasis of the skin is quite often observed in workers of swimming pools and baths, cleaners and housewives who often come into contact with water. An increase in ambient temperature, at which human sweating significantly increases, also provokes the appearance of fungal diseases.
Symptoms of fungal diseases
The disease begins with redness of some areas of the skin. It is accompanied by swelling or various types of rash: bubbles, pustules, papules. After the elements are opened, the formation of wet erosion occurs, manifested in clear boundaries marked by scalloped edges. Erosion has a smooth shiny surface with a very characteristic whitish coating. As a rule, fungal skin diseases begin in large folds of the skin in the groin, under the mammary glands, in the armpits, between the buttocks.
Fungal diseases can take a chronic form with a recurrent course. Consequently, all the symptoms described above appear at the time of exacerbation of the disease. The chronic form of fungal lesions is much less treatable. With a pronounced violation of immunity, the chronic form of fungal diseases can turn into generalized, which causes a malfunction in the work of human internal organs.
Fungal infestation of the area between the fingers is most typical for preschool children and gardeners.
Diagnosis of candidiasis of the skin
Laboratory methods:
scrapings on pathogenic fungi;
PCR diagnostics;
sowing of scraping.
Treatment of fungal diseases
The main direction of treatment of this disease is therapy with antifungal drugs. With a mild form of fungal lesion, local treatment in the form of antifungal ointments is prescribed. With a widespread lesion, local treatment and oral antifungal medications are combined.
It is extremely important, in addition to antifungal therapy, to prescribe treatment for the underlying disease, which provoked the transition of fungi into a pathogenic form.
