Fungal infections
Signs and Symptoms
Yeast infections:
1. Thick, white, cheesy vaginal discharge.
2. Itching, pain, or tenderness in the genital area (men or women). In men, the head of the penis may be inflamed.
3. Pain or soreness during sex.
4. Frequent urination that may sting or burn.
5. Creamy yellow or white coating in the mouth or on the tongue that can be easily scraped off and may be painful (thrush).
6. A red, itching rash with flaky white patches on moist skin areas, such as around the genitals, between the buttocks, or under the breasts.
Athlete’s foot:
1. Dryness, flaking, or blisters on the toes or soles of the feet.
2. Itching, scaling, and redness that usually start between the toes.
3. Toenails that thicken and become layered or scaly and yellowish.
Jock itch:
Itchy, red bumps in the groin area and on the genitals of men. Rash may extend to the buttocks and inner thighs.
What to do now
Yeast infection:
1. Use condoms or stop having sex until you get treatment if you have a vaginal yeast infection (it is contagious).
2. Use an over-the-counter yeast medication as directed.
3. Wear clean cotton underwear, and avoid panty hose.
Athlete’s foot:
1. Wash daily, and dry carefully between the toes after showering or swimming.
2. Apply an over-the-counter antifungal powder or cream to your feet, and sprinkle some powder in your shoes every day.
3. Wash athletic shoes at least once a week.
4. Wear clean cotton socks, and alternate the shoes you wear each day. Fungi take 24 hours to die.
5. Take your shoes and socks off at home to give your feet plenty of air.
Jock itch:
1. Use and antifungal powder, cream, or spray two or three times a day until the rash goes away; keep using the medication for at lest a week after that, to make sure the fungus is dead.
2. Change your underwear and athletic supporter daily. Wash them in hot water.
3. Dry your groin well after showering. You can even use a hair dryer on the lowest setting to dry the area thoroughly.
When to call a doctor
Yeast infection:
If you suspect you have one you have failed to get better after using an over-the-counter medication. Once a diagnosis is confirmed, your doctor will prescribe antifungal suppositories, creams, or tablets for your (and possibly your partner).
Athlete’s foot:
1. If your foot has an odor that doesn’t go away after treatment at home-sign that you have a severe case.
2. If your rash starts to spread or if there’s no improvement after two weeks of self-care. Once athlete’s foot spreads, it is difficult to get rid of and often returns.
3. If the infection has reached your nails. This condition is hard to clear up. It also makes your nails more prone to bacterial infection, because moisture gets trapped in the cracks.
Jock itch:
1. If over-the-counter treatments fail to work after a couple of weeks.
2. If you develop an open sore that oozes pus; this is a sign of a secondary infection.
3. if the rash spreads, gets worse, or keeps coming back.
How to prevent it
1. Wash daily and dry thoroughly.
2. Avoid tight shoes and underwear, especially in hot weather.
Yeast infection:
1. Don’t use feminine hygiene sprays or douches, which may kill the helpful bacterial that can ward off a fungus.
2. Don’t wear nylon underwear. It doesn’t allow the skin to breathe, creating an environment where fungi can flourish. Avoid non-cotton athletic wear as well.
Athlete’s foot:
Wear sandals as much as possible, go bare foot at home to air your feet, and wear plastic sandals or thongs in public dressing rooms and showers.
Jock itch:
1. Change your clothes as soon as you finish working out, and avoid sharing towels at the gym. Jock itch is mildly contagious.
2. Wash your workout clothes after each use in very hot water.
3. If you have repeated bouts of the infection and you take oral contraceptives, consult your doctor about changing your birth control method.
4. if you use a steroid inhaler for asthma be sure that your rinse your mouth well after each use to prevent thrush from developing.