Introduction

Skin rashes are the most common skin-related conditions affecting millions worldwide, irrespective of gender, age, or lifestyle. Skin rashes can appear due to multiple reasons such as allergic reactions (eg. pollen, food, chemicals, etc.), infection by fungi, bacteria or viruses, certain autoimmune conditions like Psoriasis, and extreme weather conditions. In some cases, excessive psychological stress can also trigger skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.

Most skin infections are easily treatable and are usually not life-threatening, but some can be contagious or even need medical intervention. A skin rash can be quite discomforting, irritating, and even embarrassing in some situations.¹

Symptoms of a skin rash

Skin rash changes the color and texture of the skin. It can be localised or spread across different parts of the body depending upon the severity and cause of the infection. The most common symptoms of skin rash include:

• Redness around the affected area and inflammation
• The affected area can have mild to severe itching and scratching the rash often worsens the condition
• The area inside and around the rash can become swollen and may become tender to touch
• In some cases, fluid-filled blisters can also appear and they may be highly discomforting as well as contagious.  Sometimes, the skin may become very dry, and flaky and is often accompanied by intense itching
• Certain types of skin rashes can be more painful depending upon their location such as in and around genitals, and body areas experiencing high sweat (thighs, armpits, neck, buttocks, etc)

Common types of skin rashes

• Eczema: also known as atopic dermatitis is a condition that most often develops in children but can also appear in adults. It makes skin red, dry, itchy, and cracked
• Contact dermatitis: It is triggered when a person comes in contact with a certain allergen or substance. It is a kind of eczema that causes the skin to dry out, crack, blister, and itch
• Psoriasis: It can appear on any part of the body, but often affects the elbows, scalp, knees, and lower back. It occurs due to the increased production of cells and the resulting build-up leads to the formation of thick, scaly patches associated with psoriasis. It occurs due to a long-lasting autoimmune condition where the body can not differentiate between its own and foreign cells and starts attacking the body's own cells. Symptoms of psoriasis usually start or worsen following a trigger
• Heat Rash: also called miliaria.It occurs in warm and humid weather conditions. It appears as red or pink bumps on the skin, especially in areas where the skin frequently rubs against each other
• Rosacea: This inflammatory skin disorder can produce redness in the face, rashes, visible blood vessels, thickening of the skin, and irritation of the eyes. It can be a temporary or long-lasting condition, and symptoms vary from person to person. There is no cure for this, but self-care and certain medications can help to manage the condition

What is a fungal infection?

Fungi are tiny organisms that usually grow in moist and warm environments. That is why body areas like armpits, groin, and feet are at high risk of developing fungal infection. Fungal spores can be found anywhere. When fungus enters the skin, it multiplies and starts to grow in number and the symptom of infection appears in the form of a skin rash.²

Risk factors for a fungal infection

Different types of fungi can cause fungal infections in humans. Although anyone can develop fungal infections, some people are at higher risk compared to others. Factors that increase your risk of getting a fungal infection are:

• Having a weak immune system such as individuals with HIV/AIDS, diabetes, people on immunosuppressant medications, and elderly
• Being pregnant
• When diapers with poor absorbent/moisture trapping qualities are used for babies, they provide a perfect environment for fungal growth and can cause diaper rashes due to fungal infection
• Poor hygiene such as wearing sweaty clothes for longer durations and using unwashed and semi-dried clothes, increases your risk of getting a fungal infection
• Regularly wearing tight and non-breathable clothes made from synthetic fabrics usually traps moisture and increases the risk of fungal growth
• Fungal infection can also be spread by close contact and hence having skin-to-skin contact with an infected person and sharing personal items like clothes, towels, shoes, and razors can give you a fungal infection
• If you have an untreated skin rash (irrespective of its origin) for a long time, fungal spores can easily enter the skin and increase your chance of getting a fungal infection

Types of fungal infection

• Ringworm or tinea: It is a common fungal skin infection that causes red, silvery, and scaly round ring-like spots with a raised border. Despite its name, it has nothing to do with a worm. It is contagious and can spread easily. However, it is not serious and can be treated easily with an antifungal cream. A tinea infection can appear anywhere on the body. The following are some of the most prevalent types of tinea infections:
  • Tinea corporis: This can occur on any body part
  • Jock itch (tinea cruris): It commonly affects men, and it develops around the groin area. It appears as a red or discolored itchy rash and can spread to thighs and buttocks.
  • Nail infection (Tinea unguium): affects the nails, usually toenails that can become yellow, thick, and easily breakable.
  • Athlete’s foot (tenia pedis): affects the feet and the skin in between the toes becomes white and starts to peel off.
  • Tinea capitis: It often affects the scalp area and is common among children. It can also lead to hair loss if not treated timely.
• Candidiasis: It is a fungal infection caused by Candida, a type of fungal yeast commonly found on the skin and other parts of the body. However, symptoms appear only if there is an overgrowth of fungus. It affects warm, moist areas of the body such as the mouth, groin, under the breast region, etc. Some common types of candida infections are:
  • Vaginal candidiasis or yeast infection: Vaginal discharge, discomfort, and itching are symptoms of vaginal candidiasis
  • Candidiasis of the mouth and throat leads to white patches, soreness, and redness in the affected area
  • Candidiasis of the oesophagus results in throat pain and difficulty swallowing
  • People who get infected with invasive candidiasis get chills and fever when the infection spreads to the organs

Diagnosing a fungal infection

Fungal infection can be diagnosed easily by a doctor by inspecting the affected area and asking about your symptoms. When symptoms are not clear, your healthcare provider may ask you to get tests that involve:

• Examining the scraps of skin under a microscope³
• Fungal culture test by taking a small sample of skin or fluid from blisters, to identify the exact cause of infection
• Getting a blood test if there is a risk or signs of severe infection

Treatment of fungal infection

Most fungal infections are easily treatable with over-the-counter antifungal creams.

• Some corticosteroid-based topical medications can also be prescribed for the management of inflammation and flare-ups in cases of eczema and psoriasis
• The use of moisturisers and emollients is also suggested in cases like eczema to maintain the skin barrier and control skin dryness⁴
• When the use of topical treatments is not helpful, and infection is severe and widespread, certain oral antifungal medications can also be prescribed for faster treatment
• The use of antihistamines can also help relieve the symptoms of itching and allergy

How can you prevent a Fungal Infection?

There are some things that you can do to prevent a fungal infection including:

• Maintaining good hygiene and keeping skin dry
• Wearing clean, dry, and loose-fitted clothes, especially during hot weather, and using more breathable fabrics like cotton and linen for daily use. It prevents the sweat build-up and avoids the fungus growth
• If you have skin conditions like eczema, using medicated moisturisers (with the consultation of healthcare providers) regularly can help to keep the skin hydrated and avoid skin dryness
• Avoid walking barefoot in public spaces like pools, locker rooms, gym showers, etc.

Summary

Skin rashes and fungal infections are usually itchy and uncomfortable, but they are easily treatable.  Fungal infection can also spread quickly and become worse if it is left untreated for a long time. If your fungal infection is spreading very fast and is painful with blisters, you should immediately see your healthcare provider.

Usually, a course of over-the-counter antifungal cream will clear up the rash and relieve the symptoms. However, a combination of other medications might also be prescribed based on symptoms and severity of infection. You should always consult your healthcare provider in case of a new or unusual rash or if an infection is reoccurring and discuss the treatment and preventative steps.

Frequently asked questions

What does a fungal infection rash look like?

It appears as a red, scaly, circular patch with a ringlike structure and a raised border.

How to tell the difference between rash and fungal infection?

Fungal infection rash usually develops slowly, has a distinctive shape, usually has circular and scaly patches, and commonly occurs in warm and moist areas of the body. On the other handa skin rash may appear quickly, is typically irregular in shape, widespread, or can have varied textures like redness, blisters, and bumps. An experienced healthcare provider can often tell the difference based on different symptoms, however, it’s not unusual to get confused between these two.

How do you treat a fungal rash on your body?

Your healthcare provider should suggest an appropriate treatment of fungal infection based on your symptoms, in most cases antifungal creams clear up the rash.

How to get rid of skin fungal infection?

Using appropriate antifungal treatment by consulting your healthcare provider and maintaining good hygiene can help get rid of fungal infection.

What triggers skin fungal infection?

It is typically triggered by warm, moist environments, excessive sweating, poor hygiene, and wearing tight or non-breathable clothing. Weakened immune systems or direct contact with contaminated surfaces or infected individuals can also contribute.

What happens if you have a fungal infection for too long?

It can spread to other parts of the body and can get severe. 

Will a fungal skin rash go away on its own?

No, a fungal skin rash will not go away on its own.

What happens if you leave skin fungus untreated?

If left untreated, skin fungus can worsen and spread to other areas of the body or other people. The infection may cause more severe itching, discomfort, scaling, and cracking of the skin. In some cases, untreated fungal infections can lead to secondary bacterial infections.