Best Fungal Infection Treatment in Bangalore

A variety of fungi normally live on the skin in small amounts and do not cause any harm. Fungal infection occurs when disease-causing (pathogenic) fungus grows in the body. People with dysfunctional immune systems get a fungal infection more easily. This includes people with diabetes, HIV, or those who are being treated for cancer. Fungal infections are also more common in people who are overweight because of increased skin folds which accumulate heat and moisture allowing the fungus to grow and infect the skin. It can also occur when skin hygiene is not properly maintained or the affected areas cannot be kept dry due to prolonged work hours or type of work that involves spending time in hot climate (cooks, factory workers, traffic policemen etc.)

The fungi spread through tiny spores that are dispersed in the air and more commonly from fomites (towels, soaps, combs, clothes, bedsheets and other products that come in contact with the infected person). Although not all fungi are dangerous, some fungi can cause infection when they find a suitable environment like warm temperature and moisture, causing fungal infections. Fungal infections activate the body’s immune response causing inflammation at the affected site and they may also cause allergic reactions, and even localized and superficial skin infections, or can infect the deeper tissues, causing systemic diseases.

Dermatologists in Bangalore at Charma Clinic are experts in treating all types of fungal infections. Early treatment is important to prevent secondary infections.

Who is at risk for developing fungal infections?

Anybody can be infected with fungal infections. Farmers working around animals are at a high risk of developing ringworm. The ringworm infection from animal fungi usually has a lot of redness and itching due to the body's immune response. These are called zoophilic fungi. Animal fungus can spread to humans even via pets or stray animals like dogs & cats.
People who regularly use public showers, swimming pools, fitness centers are at increased risk for athlete’s foot, and males who wear tight-fitting clothing are at increased risk of developing jock itch.
People with jobs that have long working hours, tight clothes or hot and humid environment (cooks in front of the stove, policemen, army men, office workers without air conditioning, factory workers, bikers etc.).
People with weakened immune system due to HIV or use of medication such as corticosteroids.
Suffering from diabetes.
Patients Taking antibiotics.
Women who are pregnant.

What are the types of Fungal Infection?

1. Ringworm or Tinea
This fungal infection can affect skin, scalp, and nails. The skin may turn dark and flaky. The area may itch as the fungus grows and spreads out in a red circle, often called ringworm. It most commonly starts in the groin area where skin folds are sweaty and less ventilated. Heat and humidity are factors that help the infection spread. Ringworms are common in teens because of oily skin.

2. Athlete’s Foot
This skin condition also known as tinea pedis presents with itching, stinging, or burning sensation between toes or on other parts of the foot, especially in those who wear shoes for a long time or walk in wet surfaces or barefoot like farmers, army persons, police, sportspersons, etc. These fungi mostly grow in moist and warm areas and are more common in summer, hot, and humid climates. Peeling skin, scaly feet, itching, and blister formation are the common signs of an athlete’s foot.

3. Jock Itch/Dhobi Itch
It is also known as tinea cruris and can affect the skin on the groin area, inner thighs, and buttocks. These infections are more often common in summer, warm and wet climate conditions. This skin infection is mildly contagious and symptoms of jock itch include chafing, itching, burning sensation at the groin and thigh area, a red-circular rash with raised edges, and cracking like skin.

4. Candidiasis/Yeast Infection
This can affect areas that are wet for a long time, diaper area in babies, vagina, penis, in between toes, mouth (in HIV, diabetes and other conditions affecting immune system). Rashes, pimple-like bumps, itchy skin, burning sensations are the symptoms of yeast skin infections. Now being seen as white fungus in COVID-19 patients.

5. Yeast Infection
Vaginal infection can cause white discharge with itching. Penile yeast infection causes red spots, white cheesy material, cuts on the foreskin, and inability to retract the foreskin and is usually seen in diabetics.

Females and males experiencing these concerns must consult with the fungal infection doctor in Bangalore to improve their reproductive health by getting the best treatment for yeast infections.

Intertrigo is a type of yeast infection seen in skin folds as a whitish discoloration of skin in between the toes, in the thigh folds, and in between the buttocks. Babies and older people are more at risk.

Oral thrush can be seen as whitish patches in the mouth and throat and may cause severe throat pain and inability to swallow. It is common in hospitalized patients with low immunity, diabetics, HIV, and cancer patients.

6. Tinea Versicolor
It is a very superficial fungal infection with round to oval or irregular patches of brownish and whitish flakes usually in the head and neck area and armpits. There may be very mild or no itching, unlike other fungal infections. This infection occurs when Malassezia grows rapidly on the surface of the skin and several factors promote the growth of yeast infection like oily skin, weak immune system, hormonal changes, and excessive sweating.

7. Deep Fungal Infections (Very Rare)
It can include Mycetoma foot which can destroy the bones of the feet, Mucormycosis which can cause blindness as seen in COVID-19 patients, and other rare infections like sporotrichosis which can spread along lymphatic vessels of the leg. These are rare and usually caused in wounds neglected for several months or those with a weakened immune system.

8. Scalp Ringworm
This is a highly contagious infection and mostly affects small children. The sign of this infection is itching in the scalp, hair loss, red and scalp rash on the scalp and rash all over the body.

9. Nail Ringworm
This type of infection affects the finger or toenail causing thickened and deformed nails. It is also known as tinea unguium. This condition mostly affects the toenails than fingernails and is most common in adolescents and adults.

Symptoms of nail ringworm may include inflamed nails, thickening of the nail ends, and yellow color nails.

What are the symptoms of a fungal infection?

A fungal skin infection might cause:

Irritation at the target site
Scaly patches on the skin
Redness and pain at the infected skin site
Itching, pain, and swelling at the infected area
Blisters formation
Loss of hair in case of scalp fungal infection
Fever

If one is suffering from a fungal infection then the affected individual should start treatment as soon as possible and remember to practice good hygiene to stop it from spreading to others.

If looking for a fungal infection treatment clinic in Bangalore, one can visit Charma Clinic.

Differential Diagnosis
Several skin conditions can look similar to fungal infections and your dermatologists may order some diagnostic tests to rule out or confirm the clinical diagnosis. Some of the conditions similar to fungal infections can be: Psoriasis, granuloma annulare, Erythema annulare centrifugum, secondary syphilis, eczema, etc.

Dr. Rajdeep Mysore, a renowned dermatologist in Bangalore diagnoses superficial fungal infections by checking the appearance of the affected area. The scarping of the targeted affected area is also done and is examined under a microscope to identify the fungus. Wood lamp test that uses UV light is also used to examine the infected skin,

Deeper skin infections are confirmed by testing the bone marrow, blood, urine, and sputum of the patient. Antibodies levels in the blood can also help diagnose fungal infection.

What are the options for fungal infection treatment in Bangalore?

1. General Measures

Maintaining good personal hygiene is the first step towards preventing fungal infections. Dry your skin completely after bathing. Always dry your feet and space between the toes which most people tend to ignore.
Wear clothes that have been dried in direct sunlight and ironed as fungus can remain on the clothes.
Soak and wash all clothes that come in contact with the infected skin, including towels and undergarments in hot water/ disinfectant solutions.
Keep your clothes, towels, soap, etc. separate to prevent the spread of the fungus to family members.
Change undergarments every day to prevent jock itch. Also, keep your groin area clean and dry, and avoid sharing personal clothing, bath soaps, and towels with others.
Dress in loose cotton clothing. Avoid tight undergarments and clothes that do not keep the skin dry or cause more sweating.
Use dusting powders in sweaty areas.
Wear alternate shoes every day.
Wear protective gloves and footwear while working in gardens or soil.
Athlete’s foot can be prevented by wearing shower personal sandals while using public pools. One must also dry their feet properly after swimming or taking a show, and always wear dry shoes and do not share your socks. Avoid walking barefoot in communal areas like public showers, pools, and saunas.
To prevent ringworm, always keep your domestic pets clean as ringworm can transfer from pets to human skin. Pets must be washed with antifungal washes regularly. If one suspects that their pet has a ringworm, take them to the vet.
Scalp infections can be prevented by avoiding sharing hair brushes, bands, and other hair accessories. Use good shampoos to keep your hair clean and dandruff-free. Regularly wash your bedspreads and pillowcase to prevent infection.
Avoid scratching or touching the affected area. This can delay healing and may spread the infection and can also cause a bacterial infection.
Avoid self-medicating as the majority of the combination creams given by unsuspecting chemists contain steroids which makes the infection spread and reduces the itching giving the patient a false sense of assurance.
Diabetic people must keep their blood sugar under control.

2. Medical Treatments
Following are the best fungal infection treatments provided by Dr. Rajdeep Mysore, an expert skin doctor in Bangalore at Charma Clinic:

Topical Treatment

Creams like luliconazole, amorolfine will work for small patches. If the spots are extensive and not responding to topical creams then we will go for oral medicines/tablets like Terbinafine and certain other prescription drugs.

Oral Treatment

Treatment with antifungal tablets is usually for 3-6 weeks and may need to be continued for longer periods in case of recurrence or re-infection or resistant cases. Improper adherence to treatment by discontinuing it once the patient has relief from itching usually causes relapse of the infection. Fungal infections are completely treatable and curable when the patient meticulously follows the treatment and general measures advised by the doctor.

Surgery

Nail infections may require surgical removal of the nail Deep fungal infections like Mycetoma and Mucormycosis require surgical treatment.

The skin doctors in Bangalore at Charma Clinic believe in providing a holistic, compassionate, and multidisciplinary approach to provide the best care to their patients. The experts develop a comprehensive treatment plan that is specifically tailored as per individual requirements to deliver the best outcomes.

Is a fungal infection contagious?
Yes, fungal infection can spread from person to person. This infection can spread from human to human, animal to human, and even from infected articles or soil to humans. It is important to take the help of a fungal infection doctor in Bangalore and practice good hygiene to help stop fungal infections from spreading.

How do fungal infections spread?

Direct skin contact (with humans or animals).
Indirect contact with the infected articles or soil.
Wearing wet socks, clothes, undergarments, and shoes.

What happens if fungal skin infections aren’t treated?
If fungal infections are not treated they can last for a longer time and can cause more problems and may become resistant to normal antifungals. They can spread to other body parts and welcome secondary bacterial infections and can also be passed from infected to a healthy person. If one has a fungal infection in the scalp it can cause baldness and affect the scalp health and even hair aesthetics. Fungal infection if left untreated can cause severe itching at the affected site and even affect one's lifestyle and overall health. Often people use over the counter creams containing steroids to get relief from itching. These steroids cause skin damage and reduce the immunity allowing the fungus to spread to other uninfected areas in the body. Self medication should strictly be avoided if the infection is not resolving in a week. Long term use of steroids causes addiction and skin damage like stretch marks or wounds. It is often difficult for the treating doctors to stop these medications as they cause severe itching on stopping the medicated creams containing steroids.

For information about fungal infection treatment cost in Bangalore, please feel free to connect with us.