Mycology: diseases — симптомы, диагностика и лечение

Candidiasis is the overgrowth of yeast-like fungi of the genus Candida, which normally live on the skin, mouth, intestines and vagina of most healthy people. This follows the main thing that is important to understand from the very beginning: thrush in most cases is not “caught” somewhere from the outside and is not a sexually transmitted disease. This is an imbalance of one’s own microflora, which is most often triggered by antibiotics, high blood sugar, hormonal changes or decreased immunity. Two practical conclusions follow from this, which run counter to everyday beliefs: in most cases, the partner does not need treatment, and douching not only does not help, but also aggravates the problem. And one more unpleasant fact: approximately half of the women who independently diagnose themselves with thrush actually have another condition - which is why treatment so often “does not help.”

Fungal infections of the skin and nails are one of the most common dermatological problems and at the same time the one where the wrong treatment is most often made. A damaged nail is not always affected by fungus: trauma, psoriasis, eczema and circulatory disorders give a similar picture. Therefore, the rule is simple: before starting treatment, you need to confirm the diagnosis in a laboratory. Therapy for onychomycosis lasts for months, costs money and requires liver monitoring - spending all this on a non-fungal problem is pointless.

Cutaneous candidiasis is a skin lesion caused by yeast-like fungi of the genus Candida, which live in small quantities on the skin and mucous membranes of healthy people. The disease begins when suitable conditions are created for the fungi: heat, moisture and lack of air. Therefore, typical places are large folds under the breasts, in the groin, in the armpits, on the stomach in overweight people, as well as between the fingers and the area under the diaper in babies. The skin becomes bright red, moist, with a whitish coating and characteristic small spots along the edge of the lesion. Skin candidiasis is well treated, but often returns if the provoking factors are not eliminated.

Athlete's groin is a fungal infection of the skin of the inguinal folds caused by dermatophytes. The fungus loves heat, moisture and friction, so men, athletes, overweight people and anyone who spends a lot of time in the heat wearing thick clothing are more likely to get sick. The typical picture is itchy reddish spots with a distinct raised edge and a lighter center that spread from the crease to the inner surface of the thigh. The scrotum usually remains intact, and this is an important distinguishing feature. The disease responds well to external treatment, but tends to return if the moisture is not eliminated and the foot fungus is not treated.

Ringworm is a contagious fungal infection of the skin, hair and, less commonly, nails, caused by the dermatophyte fungi Microsporum and Trichophyton. Hence the medical names - microsporia and trichophytosis. Children get sick more often, becoming infected from stray cats and dogs or from other children. Round lesions appear on the scalp, where the hair is broken off at a height of several millimeters, as if it had been cut, and the skin peels off. Pink rings with a raised, flaky ridge along the edge form on smooth skin. The disease is not life-threatening, but is easily transmitted to others. Treatment is prescribed by a dermatologist; if the head is affected, oral antifungal drugs are definitely needed.

Thrush is an inflammation of the vagina and vulva caused by yeast-like fungi of the genus Candida. Most women encounter it at least once in their lives. A normal episode can be treated quickly and easily, but for some women, thrush comes back again and again - and then it is important not to change suppositories, but to look for the cause: from diabetes to improper hygiene and characteristics of the pathogen.