Fungal Skin Infection Symptoms and Causes

Medically reviewed by:

Dr Dan Bunstone - Medical Officer

Updated: Aug 18, 2021

Next review: Aug 18, 2022

Fungal infections can affect the skin on any part of your body. Athlete’s foot, ringworm and intertrigo are all examples of fungal infections.

Fortunately, these conditions can usually be treated quite easily, and our GPs will be able to explain the steps you can take to stop these infections coming back.

Fungal infections can cause some discomfort in the affected area. The most common symptom will be itching, which can of course be very distracting as you try and go about your day.

Depending on the infection you have, you might also notice a rash, or find that your skin is peeling, flaking and scaling. This is sometimes very visible, which can be embarrassing. You should talk to a doctor as soon as possible to get these symptoms treated.

There are many possible reasons why you might’ve picked up a fungal infection. Human contact is often responsible, but that doesn’t mean you necessarily have to touch an infected person. It can also be done by:

Walking barefoot around areas where there are lots of people, particularly changing rooms in gyms or leisure centres
Sharing a bed or towel with an infected person

Hygiene can also play a part. Not drying yourself properly after a bath or shower, particularly between your toes, provides the ideal moist and warm environment for fungal infections to thrive.

Sweaty feet increase your risk of developing athlete’s foot, so consider switching to shoes that’ll allow your feet to breathe.

Fungal infections can also occur as a side effect of certain antibiotics, while people with diabetes or a poor immune system have a higher chance of developing these problems.

There are various antifungal medicines available that will treat skin infections. These work by either killing the fungus or preventing it from reproducing. They are available as tablets, or as creams that you rub directly onto the affected area.

Our doctors can tell you how much antifungal medicine to use, and how often. If you need a prescription, they can write one for you straight after your appointment and send it to you by email or first-class post. You’ll then be able to collect your medicine from a pharmacy of your choice.

FUNGAL SKIN INFECTIONS

Dr Dan Bunstone - Medical Officer

What is a fungal skin infection?

Symptoms of fungal infections

What causes fungal infections?

How to treat a fungal infection