Fungal diseases

Everyone knows that in order to visit such public facilities as swimming pools or saunas, in most cases the administration requires a certificate from a dermatologist about the condition of the patient's skin and the presence, first of all, of contagious (infectious) diseases.

Therefore, doctors faced the problem of widespread fungal diseases of the skin, mainly nails.

The causative agents of fungal diseases are pathogenic fungi of various species. The source of diseases is a sick person or a sick animal. Infection can occur through direct contact, as well as through personal items.

To the defeat of pathogenic fungi especially prone people  diagnosed with:

disorders of the body's immune system (immunodeficiency states, including tuberculosis, HIV infection and AIDS);

violation of carbohydrate metabolism (for example, diabetes);

diseases of the glands of internal secretion (for example, diseases of the thyroid gland);

violation of the integrity of the skin (injuries, microcracks, abrasions, corns, etc.);

maceration of the skin as a result of high humidity (for example, due to excessive sweating);

taking broad-spectrum antibiotics (which neutralize not only pathogenic microorganisms, but also those that should normally exist in our body. Accordingly, fungal microflora can settle in their place);

non-compliance with the rules of personal hygiene.

However, not only lack of personal hygiene can provoke the development of a fungal infection, but also excessive and frequent use of soap and other hygiene products (shampoos, shower gels). Normally, the sebaceous glands of our skin produce a fat-like substance - sebum, which is released on the surface of the skin and, mixing with the secretion of sweat glands , forms a protective substance - sebum. Fat normally covers the entire surface of our skin and helps the body not only in the processes of regulating body temperature, but also in protecting against pathogenic microorganisms. The composition of this secret creates favorable conditions for the life of those microorganisms without which the normal functioning of the skin is impossible, and on the contrary, it is a "deadly" environment for pathogenic flora - microorganisms that can cause diseases.

Fungi can affect all layers of the skin, as well as its appendages: hair and nails. Depending on this, six types of fungal diseases are distinguished.

Classification of fungal diseases:

1. Keratomycosis:

lichen planus (pityriasis,multicolored) is a fungal infection that develops on the surface of the skin and does not penetrate deeper layers.

1. Dermatomycoses:

inguinal epidermophytia;

epidermophyta of the feet;

microsporia of smooth skin;

rubrophytia of smooth skin.

Representatives of this class, in addition to high contagiousness, have the ability to affect the skin at the level of almost all layers.

1. Trichomycosis:

microsporia of the scalp (ringworm);

ringworm of the scalp.

 Trichomycosis is a fungal disease that is accompanied by damage not only to the skin, but also to the hair, which is a big problem among children, especially girls, because the result can be scarring of the skin and the impossibility of further hair growth in scarred areas, primarily in the area of ​​the scalp heads

1. Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nail plate.
2. Candidomycoses are fungal lesions caused by fungi of the genus Candida.
3. Lesions caused by mold fungi.

Inguinal epidermophytia

The causative agent is Epidermophytum floccosum. Men and people with excess body weight get sick more often.

The typical localization is the skin of the inguinal and inguinal folds, under the mammary glands, less often — the axillary pits.

The foci of the lesion are clearly delimited bright pink inflammatory spots of a rounded shape, the borders of the spots are in the form of a roller of a brighter color. In the center of the spots, the skin peels off. Subjectively - itching in the lesions.

Epidermophyta of the feet

The causative agents are fungi of the genera Epidermophyton, Trichophyton. The disease has a chronic course. The skin of the arch of the feet, interdigital folds, and nail plates can be affected.

Epidermophytia of the feet can manifest itself in the form of peeling, peeling and cracking of the skin of the interdigital spaces, a rash of blisters with a thick horny coating. The contents of the blisters are a clear liquid. When a secondary infection joins, the content becomes purulent. Bursting, blisters form erosions surrounded by a ridge of exfoliated epidermis (top layer of skin). Subjectively - itching, unbearable in the affected areas.

Microsporia of smooth skin

The causative agent is Microsporum canis. The main source of infection is kittens with microsporia, less often adult cats and dogs. In 85% of cases, a person becomes infected through direct contact with a sick animal, and much less often (5-8% of cases) infection occurs through contact with a person.

Clinical picture: single or multiple scaly pink spots appear on the smooth skin of various parts of the body, surrounded by stagnant red ridges. Small bubbles and scales appear on the surface of the roller. One spot can be located in another (concentric circles). In 85-90% of cases, the patient's downy hair is affected. Subjectively - you can observe a slight itching in the places of rashes.

Rubrophytia of smooth skin

Clinical changes appear in skin folds and may spread to adjacent skin areas. They are diverse, they can be pink spots with small nodules and crusts on the surface, a distinctive feature is scalloped outlines. Subjectively - painful itching at the site of the lesion.

Scalp microsporia (ringworm)

The causative agent is Microsporum ferrugineum.

The source of the disease is a person suffering from microsporia. Infection occurs during direct contact with the patient or through his personal hygiene items.

Clinical picture: foci of baldness appear on the scalp, which can be single, multiple, or merge. Hairs in foci break off at a height of 6-8 mm above the skin surface. Pink skin peels off, blisters and crusts appear. The disease may be accompanied by mild itching.

Trichophytosis of the scalp

The source of infection is a person with trichophytosis. Infection occurs during direct contact with the patient or through personal hygiene items. The disease is more often observed in children of school age.

The foci have indistinct, vague borders, weakly expressed inflammation on the surface and peeling in the form of silver scales. The hair in the lesions is partially broken off at a height of 1-2 mm above the skin surface. There may be slight itching.

Onychomycosis

The cause of nail damage can be fungi of various types. Depending on this, either single nail plates (Eru-dermophyton) or all plates on the hands and feet (Trichophyton rubrum) can be affected. The process can start from the free edge (Trichophyton rubrurri) or from the side of the nail plate (Candida albicans, mold fungi); the nail plate thickens sharply, crumbles from the edge (Trichophyton rubrum). In case of any change in the patient's nail plates, the beautician or nail salon masters should refer him to a dermatologist.

Candidomycoses

Fungal diseases caused by Candida fungi. Fungi of this genus are classified as conditionally pathogenic organisms. The source of infection can be a person suffering from candidiasis.

Clinical manifestations of candidiasis are diverse and depend on the site of manifestation. On the mucous membranes, these are surface erosions of a bright pink color, covered with a plaque that resembles boiled milk (mold). The skin is affected most often around natural openings and in folds, where maceration and peeling of the epidermis in the form of a roller is observed. Damage to the skin and mucous membranes is accompanied by a feeling of strong burning and itching. When the nail is damaged, the nail plate becomes brownish, bumpy, thins, and can peel off from the free edge. The lesion around the nail plate is characteristic: it is swollen, it acquires a stagnant red color. When pressing on the inflamed roller, a drop of pus is released.

Depending on the form and type of fungal infection, local and systemic therapy with antifungal drugs is used. Treatment tactics are selected individually by a dermatologist, taking into account the form of the disease, its complexity and possible complications.