Fungal infection

Provided by: Healthwise
40% of users found this article helpful.

A fungal infection is an infection caused by a fungus. Fungal infections may affect the skin (for example, athlete's foot or jock itch), nails (for example, fungal nail infections), or hair (for example, ringworm of the scalp and beard).

Fungal infections are usually treated by putting medication directly on the skin, nail, or hair (topical medications). For severe cases, oral medications (pills) are used.

Fungi are members of the plant family that include dermatophytes, yeasts, and molds. Fungi can be found on living and nonliving things.

Author:Jeannette Curtis
Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Medical Review:Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine
Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Last Updated: 05/25/2007

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