Fungal Infections

Infections of the skin by fungi are extremely common in warm countries.'Athlete's foot', which is a fungal infection between the toes, is generally acquired where people go barefooted, e.g at swimming pools and the changing rooms and showers at clubs. It usually starts between the third, fourth and fifth toes and may be simple redness and scaling, but cracks are apt to develop. the skin becomes macerated, whitish and soggy, and a clear, mucoid liquid oozes from it. the condition is intensely itchy and sometimes spreads to the adjacent skin of the foot. less commonly affects the hands, groins, armpits and other regions. The fungus is resistant and persists in shoes and socks and may be transmitted on towels. As soon as the condition appears medical assistance should be sought as correct diagnosis is essential and treatment is not always easy.

A hot, humid climate and wet feet are predisposing factors. The preventive measures are:

-careful drying between the toes
-scrupulous cleanliness
-the application of a dusting powder between the toes and
-wearing of slippers in public bathrooms.

Once the condition develops a special towel should be used for the toes, it should be sterilized by boiling and should be kept separate from other towels. cotton socks should be worn and boiled after wearing. shoes and slippers should be treated inside with formalin solutions. various fungicidal preparations are obtainable for local application, but cream or powder containing tolnaftate (Tinaderm) is probably the best. the cream is used for treatment and the powder should be reserved for dusting as a prophylactic.

There are many different anti-fungal preparations available, older preparations such as Whitfield's ointment and Castellani's paint, are still useful and many are obtainable when proprietary preparations are not.

'Dhobie itch' is a fungal infection of the groins, and is a common condition in warm countries: it is acquired most often from infected towels and is characterized by brownish or reddish itchy areas, having a scaly surface and a slightly raised edge. the condition is treated with a fungicide, and the same care as that described in the previous paragraphs must be taken with personal towels, underclothing, etc. For very extensive fungus infection, a doctors advice with regard to treatment should also be sought.

Though fungal infections are most common between the toes or in the groins, they may occur anywhere on the body, the armpits are quite commonly involved, and red circular patches of 'ring worm' can occur on the face, limbs or trunk. they all tend to be red and scaly, roughly circular in outline, and they all itch.