Fungal infections can be seen on the skin in areas such as hair, feet, nails, genitals, and can manifest themselves with many symptoms such as itching, flaking, and red rashes depending on the type. While experts say that the disease can occur due to reasons such as humid and hot environments and lack of hygiene, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa Cerrahpaşa Medical Faculty, Department of Dermatology and Venereal Diseases, Faculty Member Prof. Dr. Burhan Engin also stated that there has been an increase in fungal infection cases recently. Prof. Dr. Engin warned that fungi, which were seen in older ages in the past, are also seen in young people and that resistance has developed in cases.
“THERE IS AN INCREASE IN FUNGAL INFECTIONS AND RESISTANCE TO TREATMENT”
Dermatology Specialist Prof. gave information about fungal infection and said that there is an increase. Dr. Burhan Engin said, “Fungal infection is the name we give to red, dandruff rashes that appear superficially on the skin, can affect every part of the body, can be on the hair, skin, trunk, can be seen on the feet, and also affects the genital area. For example, foot fungus is a condition we frequently see on the skin. It is very common. We can say that other fungi are also on the rise nowadays. Recently, we have seen an increase and resistance to treatment, especially in fungi located in the trunk, genital area and groin.
There are also many cases and patients coming in. There are 1-2 newly identified types, the increase may be related to this, this was also identified abroad and in the US. For example; a type we call indotineae was newly identified. There is also talk of resistance of existing fungi to existing treatments because when patients come, they actually come with local treatment, topical medications, oral medications. We can say that there is resistance to these drugs. They mostly come with rashes, we see that rash in fungi.
“Redness on the body, sometimes slightly dandruff, slightly watery, round, lesion-forming conditions in different parts of the body. These can occur in the genital area, the leg area, which we call the lower extremities, and the trunk. We see them more in moist, sweaty, closed areas. It especially likes moist areas of the skin, for example; when it settles on the feet, we see it between the toes because those areas are seen as closed and moist. We see it in the groin, and recently we can see lesions resistantly on the trunk, especially in connection with the moisture of the trunk,” he said.
“IT CAN DEFINITELY BE CONFUSED WITH DANDRUFF, REDNESS, PSORIASIS, ECZEMA”
Continuing his words, Prof. Dr. Engin said, “The ones we are talking about are superficial fungal infections, and there are also forms of deep fungal infections. There is an increase in superficial fungal infections, deep ones are a bit more special. We see these more in immunosuppressed people, people with weakened immune systems. What we see in society right now are superficial fungal infections that are more contagious, but have normal immune systems. Fungal infections are not directly related to foods, of course some factors are important here. When there is foot fungus, its treatment is neglected a lot, there can be fungus in the nails, thickening and discoloration. These continue for long periods, years.
For example; We used to see nail fungus in older ages, but today we have started to see it in younger people as well. They definitely need to be treated appropriately because if there is no treatment, it can continue for years and can also affect the fungal development in other areas. It is necessary not only to treat the fungus, but also to treat its environment. Increasing humidity, temperature and maceration are important, and eliminating these factors is important in eradicating fungal infection. We can say that there is an increase in resistant trunk and genital area fungi. These seem to be a little resistant to the medications used because when patients come to us, they have used many medications.
Dandruff and redness can be confused with psoriasis and eczema, and we can even take a biopsy from some people. We mostly do a swab and check if there is a fungal infection in that swab. Here, we especially take swabs for differential diagnosis, we do it very well at the faculty. Family treatment is important for fungus because when it occurs in one family member, it can easily be transmitted to others, and secondly, the environment on the skin is important.
They need to use special medications. If it continues without too much delay, it would be appropriate to identify the type of fungus in slightly larger units in coordination with microbiology and reach the appropriate medication. It can spread, spread throughout the body, and of course make the patient very uncomfortable and itchy. It affects the patient’s visual appearance greatly and can be transmitted to family members; “Patients are very affected in this respect,” he said. (IHA)
