Mycosis: causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

By Cristiano Antonino On Jun 2, 2023

Mycosis is an infection caused by pathogenic fungi that can affect different areas of the body, such as the skin and nails. There are many types of mycoses, differing in the tissues affected or in the intensity of their manifestation

Fungal infection often occurs due to a reduced defense of the body against the fungus which is thus able to cause the infection.

The most common sign indicating the presence of a mycosis is the appearance of spots of different colors (white and/or reddish), which can appear on different parts of the body.

Furthermore, among the most common symptoms there are itching, burning and discomfort.

However, many mycoses are asymptomatic.

Although there are areas of the world where they are particularly widespread, fungal infections are observed more and more also in Italy due to changes in our lifestyle (greater attendance at saunas or gyms, travel, life outside the home, stress, etc. ).

The numerous types of mycosis mean that this infection is very widespread, not only among adults but also among children.

Mycoses can appear as a result of many other pathologies, such as diabetes, AIDS, primary or secondary immunodeficiencies to chemotherapy therapies or even the prolonged use of antibiotics.

Here is more information on types of yeast infections, symptoms, causes and treatments.

What is mycosis

A mycosis is an infection by pathogenic fungi or opportunistic commensals (in the course of certain pathologies), which can affect different areas of the body, such as skin and nails and internal mucous membranes.

Fungi (or fungi) are eukaryotic organisms (unicellular or multicellular) that can infect both humans and animals.

Classification and causes of mycoses

A fungal infection can be triggered by many factors such as:

Taking antibiotics: they can lead to a weakening of the gastrointestinal bacterial flora and consequently to the proliferation of various bacteria and fungi. The loss of equilibrium between the colonies can lead the fungi, already present in our body, to an uncontrolled proliferation and thus become pathogenic.
The weakening of the immune system: represents an important and common cause of mycosis, as this is the first barrier against many fungi, bacteria, viruses and much more. The impairment of the immune system, caused for example by diseases such as AIDS or by taking drugs, results in a reduced defense against these agents, thus leading to infections. In particular in young children, where the immune system is not fully formed, and in the elderly, where there is a physiological reduction, it is more likely to develop mycosis.
Diabetes is another condition that easily leads to the appearance of mycosis since the high glycemic rate in the blood of these patients favors the proliferation of the fungi already present in our body.

Mycoses can be classified according to

type of tissue or part of the body where the infection has spread
origin of the fungus, which can be exogenous or endogenous (in the first case, these are fungi coming from outside, in the second, fungi that are already naturally present in the body)
degree of pathogenicity of the fungus (pathogen or opportunistic infection)

Superficial mycoses

Among the most common mycoses there are certainly the superficial ones, which affect hair, hair and skin.

Among them the best known are:

the white piedra, caused by the family of fungi Trichosporon spp., which manifests itself through the presence of rounded white fungal nodules that surround the full thickness of the hair. They can involve hair, pubic hair, and armpit hair. However, this type of infection is particularly common in areas of the world with warm temperatures, typically the tropical climate and where there is poor personal hygiene
black piedra is also a type of mycosis that affects the hair and, above all, the scalp. The fungus responsible for this infection is called Piedraia hortae and poor personal hygiene can favor its proliferation. The areas of the world most affected are the tropical areas of Africa and South America
tinea tigra is caused by the fungus Hortaea (or Phaeoannellomyces) werneckii. This mycosis is not contagious and does not cause discomfort or pain, but it is characterized by the appearance of black or brown skin spots on the hands and feet. The people most affected by this type of mycosis are young people and children, particularly in the areas of Asia, Central and North America and Africa

Cutaneous mycoses

Cutaneous mycoses, as can be guessed from the name, are instead typical of the epidermis and nails.

Like superficial mycoses, they can also affect hair and hair but the difference lies in the fact that the formation of these mycoses can cause the degradation of the keratin layers.

These mycoses can be very much felt by the patient, who may experience irritation, inflammation and an allergic reaction.

The fungi of this type of mycosis are called dermatophytes or dermatomycetes and reproduce by spores.

The three best known species of cutaneous mycoses are:

Microsporum. The best known are Microsporum audouinii, Microsporum canis (typical of animals that can spread to humans in individuals most in contact with dogs, cats and livestock) and Microsporum gypseum.
Trichophyton. The best known are Trichophyton rubrum (also known as onychomycosis), Trichophyton mentagrophyes (responsible for “athlete’s foot” characterized by smelly feet, blisters and redness) and Trichophyton verrucosum (mainly affects animals, but in humans it can cause to baldness).
Epidermophyton. The most common is Epidermophyton floccosum, which leads to ringworm on the feet, legs, arms and nails.

Subcutaneous mycoses

Subcutaneous mycoses are all those infections caused by fungi that occur on the skin, hypodermis (subcutaneous tissue), muscles, bone tissue and tendons.

Usually mushrooms of this type are harmless and live in the ground, but when there is a cut or wound they enter the body and infect the skin and beyond.

In the world these infections are particularly widespread in India, Africa and South America.

Also in this case there are many types of subcutaneous mycoses, including:

Chromoblastomycosis
The mycetoma
Sporotrichosis

Other types of mycoses

There are many types of mycoses.

In addition to those described in advance, mycoses can also be classified according to the habitat in which the fungus is usually located.

This type of classification includes

geophilic mycoses, those infections that include fungi that live in the soil as saprophytes of the soil
zoophilic mycoses, those fungi whose natural habitat is on animals, usually in fact it is a parasite of the animal and can then be transmitted to humans
anthropophilic mycoses, unlike zoophilic mycoses in this case the fungi are primary parasites of the human being and can then be transmitted to the animal

Prevention and treatments for mycosis

Poor personal hygiene is certainly one of the causes of the most common mycoses.

To prevent these infections it is therefore essential not only to take care of your body by maintaining good personal hygiene, but also to adopt responsible behavior in order to avoid infections.

Among these there is certainly the cleaning of the environment in which you live and work, but also the washing of clothes, especially sports clothes, after use, always keep the skin clean, hydrated and dry and avoid contact with potentially infected.

A very simple example is the changing rooms of gyms and swimming pools, where infectious bacteria can proliferate.

It is useful to always wear appropriate footwear, sanitize your hands often and pay attention to contact with other people.

Furthermore, a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet can lead to the prevention of this pathology, in fact strengthening the immune system in the case of bacteria and viruses.

Nutrients such as zinc, selenium, magnesium, iron, folic acid, copper and the main vitamins can in fact help the body prepare for the attack of external and internal fungi.

Most of mycoses can then be treated with simple drug therapies.

Among the medicines usually prescribed there are in fact antifungals and antifungals

There are many types of infections and so are the types of treatments for mycosis.

In fact, the doctor may consider prescribing antifungals for topical use or antifungals for systemic use.

The most commonly used are certainly amphotericin B, ketoconazole, fluconazole, terbinafine and itraconazole.

The remedies for mycosis are usually available in different formats, in fact there are topical sprays on the market, but also creams, mousses, lotions, nail polishes, detergents and shampoos.

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