What types of fungal disease are there and how are they treated?

How to get involved with a fungus and how to prevent it?

Basically, plugging in does not mean getting sick automatically. The yeast Candida albicans, for example, already carry about 70 percent of the population in itself, especially in the intestine - and usually without noticing something. If he gets from there or by a contagion to the partner in the vaginal area and infected them, women feel the vaginal fungus with itching, burning and discharge very clearly.

Important for prophylaxis is the right intimate hygiene: Do not wipe from the back to the front of the toilet and clean the vaginal area with water only. "The fact that the use of acid products or the ingestion of lactic acid bacteria can prevent a fungal infection is a mistake, which can even be counterproductive because the fungi love acid," says Professor Hans-Jürgen Tietz from the Institute for Fungal Diseases and Internal Medicine in Berlin ,



Which mushrooms are still there?

Very "popular" are the pathogens of Fu? and nail fungus - these are the same. The one gets especially in public showers, swimming pools or hotel rooms with carpet, but also in the family. Often it starts with an infection of the skin, which then passes to the nail - therefore, athlete's foot should always be treated early.

One way to reduce the risk:

  • Dry the toes thoroughly after bathing and do not walk barefoot.
  • Since the spores can also be passed on in the family, infected persons should pay attention to hygiene, do not share towel or nail scissors with others.
  • Wash socks at least 60 degrees.
  • And above all: treat yourself.

For these mushrooms man is the main host. But we can also get infected with animals. In Germany about 20 percent of cats are infected with Microsporum canis, in southern countries 90 percent of stray animals. "You can not see that in the animals, so the best prophylaxis is not to touch strays," says Tietz.



Why did it catch me?

Quite unfair: Many people never have problems with fungal diseases. "This also has genetic causes," explains Dr. Tietz. "Because the prerequisite is the attachment of the pathogens to the skin or mucous membrane and the necessary receptors or not."

There are also other factors: People who exercise a lot and put heavy strain on their feet and nails have a higher risk of developing a nail fungus because the pathogen only penetrates into injured tissue.

And trends also play a role: "Sports and plastic shoes, in which moisture accumulates, are also the reason why more and more children have nail fungus," says expert Tietz. "The circumstances are more fungi-friendly than ever."

Vaginal fungus can be triggered by stress

Vaginal fungal infections are becoming more common according to Professor Tietz. One reason for that is stress: "It enhances the pathogen's ability to attach itself." Although antibiotics destroy the natural vaginal flora, Candida pathogens can become prevalent. Under suspicion are also the pill and smoking. It is also clear that estrogen in particular affects the receptors, which allow the attachment of the pathogens and promote their growth. In pregnancy and in the days before menstruation, diseases are more common. Some women even suffer from it every cycle.



"At the receptors to which the fungi attach, but also dock on healthy germs," ​​said doctor Tietz. "Women with chronic vaginal fungus usually have a lot of healthy lactic acid bacteria, they rarely have UTIs, they're rarely ill and they have a pretty strong defense against cancer, so they do not have a bad immune system."

Is there a chance that the infection will go away by itself?

No, one should not hope for a spontaneous cure. On the contrary: It is important to get active early. Because skin fungi can spread to the entire body, vaginal fungi usually go chronic without comprehensive therapy.

Only in one way can women rely on time to work for them: as the receptors to which the Candida dock, are dependent on estrogen, the annoying suffering with the hormone change during the menopause disappears reliably.

Can I treat myself?

"80 percent of patients with foot, nail or vaginal fungus do not go to the doctor, but to the pharmacy," says Tietz. "And that's fine too, because over-the-counter remedies work well and are almost always successful." Assuming, of course, that the diagnosis is correct, that is to say, it is actually a fungus - and the treatment is kept. The nail fungus so long until the nail has regrown perfectly healthy, which can take up to a year.

Expert Tietz recommends always removing the damaged nail material with 40% urea ointment and then treat it consistently and permanently with a water-soluble antifungal varnish or a fungicidal spray daily. "If you do not know exactly what it is, you should always take medicines with a broad spectrum of activity," says Hans-Jürgen Tietz. "Favorites are bifonazole and ciclopirox."

And when do I have to go to the doctor?

In any case, if self-treatment does not work, and generally in severe infections. If the fungus has already damaged more than three nails or a nail more than two-thirds, a local treatment is no longer sufficient. Then it also requires tablets prescribed by a physician. Even with recurrent vaginal infections should consult a doctor to find the source of the pathogens.

The most common cause is a fungal infection in the woman's intestine, but the partner must also be examined and treated. "The colonization in the partner's mouth is often the cause of the infection," says Tietz. "You do not see that - just in case of an immune deficiency - but as long as the mushrooms in the mouth are not removed by a professional tooth cleaning and lozenges, it does not help to do something against the pathogens in the intestine. The mouth of both partners should be as free of fungus as possible. "

Ultimately, through tracking and treatment, but every woman can be helped, says Tietz: "Every fungal disease is curable, even if it is still so persistent."

Small fungus science

There are many pathogens that can affect us. Especially common are the following fungal diseases:

  • Athlete's foot: One of the most common infectious diseases, about 30 percent of the population are affected. Expresses itself by itching and scaling of the skin, especially between the toes, but can also affect the hands or groin.
  • Nail fungus: Is caused by the same pathogen as athlete's foot. About one in six is ​​affected, over 65 years every second. Infested nails become thick, brittle and discolored.
  • vaginal mycosis: The pathogen is the yeast fungus Candida albicans. Three out of four women get sick at least once in their lives, about one million suffers from chronic infections - that means at least four times a year at intervals of eight weeks, often even more often. Typical complaints are itching, burning and discharge.
  • Skin fungi of animals: Many are infected with holiday travel, and 90 percent of stray cats in southern countries are fungal. Even with domestic pets such as a cat or a guinea pig you can be infected. Typical is a circular red rash that spreads quickly.

Ep.1 Candida auris: A Resistant Fungal Infection | Medscape TV (March 2024).



Fungal disease, infection, pathogen, fungal infection, athlete's foot