Fungal skin infections
This section of the website focuses on the most common superficial fungal infections that you're likely to see in your pharmacy: sweat rash, jock itch, ringworm and nappy rash.
While these conditions are often the reason for a sufferer to visit your pharmacy, many customers do not realise that they are caused by a fungus. They may end up using skin products that do not tackle the underlying infection. With 40 per cent of sufferers buying treatments from the pharmacy, you and your pharmacy team play a critical role in ensuring that customers treat fungal skin infections appropriately.
Like thrush, this condition is caused by candida yeasts, most commonly candida albicans, a natural inhabitant of our skin. Trapped perspiration can sometimes upset the natural balance of the skin, allowing candida to overgrow and cause an irritating, itchy and often unsightly red rash.
Symptoms include:
- Red, sore and inflamed skin
- Persistent burning and itching
- Variety of red patches and blemishes
- Softened and soggy appearance.
The rash can occur where there are skin folds (e.g. under the breasts, arms or on the back of the knees) or where clothes rub against the skin. Sweat rash can be a common problem for customers who are overweight, larger-breasted or sporty. Hot weather, going to the gym, working up a sweat and tight clothing are all common causes. This type of inflamed rash can cause discomfort and, if left untreated, can lead to secondary bacterial infections of the area.
Treatment
Sweat rash should be treated as soon as possible to help prevent it from spreading or getting worse. A combination of 1% clotrimazole and 1% hydrocortisone can be used to treat fungal infections of the skin where there is associated inflammation, swelling, redness and itching. The hydrocortisone will help the customer to gain some relief from the irritation and soothe the inflammation whilst the antifungal starts to work on the cause of the infection.
Jock itch (also known as tinea cruris or dhobie itch) is a fungal infection caused by a dermatophyte fungus and commonly affects the groin, the area between the buttocks or the inner side of the thighs. It occurs when fungi grow in warm and moist areas and can then be triggered by the friction from clothes and sweating.
Symptoms include:
- Red and inflamed areas with sharp edges that are raised and scaly
- Intense itching and burning
- Ring-like areas
- Blisters may be present.
The dermatophyte fungi that cause ringworm, grow best in warm, humid environments and can enter the body through a scratch, cut or broken skin. Ringworm can be caught when coming into contact with infected animals, other humans or dead skin cells in furniture or clothing. It can appear anywhere on the body, but is mainly found on the trunk, arms or legs.
Symptoms include:
- Often a ring-shaped (annular) red or silvery patch of skin which may be scaly and itchy
- The ring spreads outwards as it progresses and the centre may heal and go back to a normal colour.
- There may be several patches and the skin may become raised and blistered.
Fungal nappy rash usually is a secondary infection of the skin covered by nappies. It can occur if a baby's skin is in contact with wet or damp nappies for long periods of time. This can then lead to a fungal infection of the already irritated skin when candida overgrows.
Symptoms include:
- Red, sore or scaling skin around the nappy area and possibly the upper thighs
- Yellowish-white sores can also develop.
