Symptoms and sources of infection

The classical symptoms of fungal infection are sustained itching, reddened, scaling and/or burning skin or skin areas. In the case of fungal nail infections, the nail is often discoloured, whitish, yellowish, and/or deformed. Moreover, the nail usually becomes porous underneath the discoloured areas. In hair infections, the hair becomes brittle and breaks near to the scalp/skin. Often also an inflammatory reaction of the scalp/skin occurs. Fungal infections may occur on any part of the body:

What should I do if I have symptoms or suspect I have dermatomycosis?

Seek medical attention. Using the right diagnostics, it can be promptly clarified whether there is a fungal infection and which pathogen is the underlying cause. Only in this way can an effective and adequate therapy be initiated promptly and the disease and symptoms cured.

Fungal infections occur via injuries to the skin or in warm, humid areas which are ideally suited for the pathogens to reproduce. Warm, humid areas are often found in sports shoes, which is why athletes are more often affected by foot fungus (“athlete’s foot”). Regular changing of shoes and the use of disinfecting shoe sprays which kill fungi and fungal spores may be helpful. Furthermore, socks of persons with foot or nail fungal infections should be washed at a minimum of 60°C. This ensures that the fungi and their spores are effectively destroyed and cannot be passed on to family members or cohabitants or re-infect healthy or already treated areas of the body. In addition to these preventive measures, adequate foot hygiene should be observed.

In order to prevent transmission of the fungi from animals or the soil to persons, appropriate hygiene measures should be taken after close contact with animals and after gardening. Gardening gloves can also be worn as a protective barrier.

Generally, it is recommended to wear breathable and not too tight clothing, to take adequate hygiene measures and disinfect contaminated objects promptly.