Merck Manual

Please confirm that you are not located inside the Russian Federation

honeypot link

Overview of Fungal Skin Infections

By

Denise M. Aaron

, MD, Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine

Reviewed/Revised Sep 2023
VIEW PROFESSIONAL VERSION
Topic Resources

Fungi Overview of Fungal Infections Fungi are living organisms, but they are not plants or animals. All living things are divided into categories called kingdoms, and fungi have their own kingdom. Some fungi cause infections in... read more usually live in moist areas of the body where skin surfaces meet: between the toes, in the genital area, and under the breasts. Yeasts and molds are types of fungi.

Strangely, fungal infections on one part of the body can cause rashes to appear on other parts of the body that are not infected. For example, a fungal infection on the foot may cause an itchy, bumpy rash on the fingers. These eruptions, called dermatophytid reactions Dermatophytid Reaction A dermatophytid reaction is the body's reaction to a dermatophyte (fungal) infection and is a skin eruption that appears on an area of the body that is not the area where the infection first... read more Dermatophytid Reaction , are allergic reactions to the fungus. They do not result from touching the infected area.

Diagnosis of Fungal Skin Infections

  • Skin scrapings or cultures

Doctors may suspect a fungal infection when they see a red, irritated, or scaly rash in one of the commonly affected areas.

Treatment of Fungal Skin Infections

  • Antifungal medications

  • Measures to prevent moisture

Fungal infections are typically treated with antifungal medications, usually with ones that are applied directly to the affected area (called topical medications). Topical medications may include creams, gels, lotions, solutions, or shampoos.

Antifungal medications may also be taken by mouth.

In addition to medications, people may use measures to keep the affected areas dry, such as applying powders or wearing open-toed shoes.

Corticosteroids can help relieve inflammation and itching caused by some infections, but these should be used only when prescribed by a doctor.

Some Antifungal Medications Applied to the Skin (Topical Medications)

  • Amorolfine (not available in the United States)

  • Butoconazole

  • Butenafine

  • Ciclopirox

  • Clotrimazole

  • Econazole

  • Gentian violet

  • Ketoconazole

  • Miconazole

  • Naftifine

  • Nystatin

  • Oxiconazole

  • Selenium sulfide

  • Sulconazole

  • Terbinafine

  • Terconazole

  • Tioconazole

  • Tolnaftate

  • Undecylenate (undecylenic acid, undecylenate salts, zincundecate)

NOTE: This is the Consumer Version. DOCTORS: VIEW PROFESSIONAL VERSION
VIEW PROFESSIONAL VERSION
quiz link

Test your knowledge

Take a Quiz!
iOS ANDROID
iOS ANDROID
iOS ANDROID
TOP