Fungal infections: how to spot them, treat them, and keep them away
Fungal infections are common and usually treatable, but they can linger if you treat them the wrong way. Some look like a red, itchy rash; others quietly grow under a toenail for months. Knowing what to expect makes it easier to pick the right treatment and avoid repeat infections.
What they look like and where they show up
Fungi like warm, moist places. You’ll often see infections in three spots: the feet (athlete’s foot), nails (onychomycosis), and groin area (jock itch). Skin infections are usually red, scaly, and itchy. Nail infections make nails thick, yellow, crumbly, or separated from the nail bed. Vaginal yeast infections cause itching, burning, and unusual discharge. If a rash is spreading, painful, or blistered, that could mean a fungal infection or something else that needs a doctor’s exam.
Simple treatment rules that work
For most skin infections, start with an over-the-counter antifungal cream, spray, or powder. Look for active ingredients like terbinafine, clotrimazole, or tolnaftate. Apply as directed and keep using for the full course—even a few days after symptoms clear—to lower the chance of relapse.
Nail fungus often needs prescription treatment. Oral terbinafine (brand name Lamisil) is a common choice for nails and usually requires weeks to months of therapy. Topical nail treatments exist but often take longer and may be less effective. If you’re curious about Lamisil, our guide covers how it works and what to expect (see the Lamisil article on this site).
For vaginal yeast infections, short courses of topical azole creams or a single-dose oral fluconazole often clear symptoms fast. Still, if infections come back repeatedly, talk to your clinician—recurrent infections need evaluation and sometimes different treatment.
When to see a doctor: if the infection is spreading, very painful, involves the face or nails, or you have diabetes or a weakened immune system. Also check with a clinician before starting oral antifungals if you take other medications or have liver disease—some antifungals can interact or affect liver tests.
Prevention is simple and effective: keep skin dry, change socks daily, choose breathable shoes, avoid walking barefoot in public showers, don’t share towels or nail clippers, and dry between toes after bathing. For nails, trim and clean them regularly—moisture trapped under a long nail invites fungus.
If a rash won’t stop or a nail keeps worsening despite treatment, ask your provider for a simple test. A scraping or nail clipping sent to a lab can confirm a fungal cause and help pick the right drug. Quick diagnosis saves time, money, and avoids unnecessary treatments.
Use treatments correctly, keep things dry, and get checked when needed. Small steps often stop fungal infections before they become a long-term problem.
Voriconazole: Best Treatment for Invasive Fusariosis in 2025
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- May 5 2025
- Tony Newman
- Permalink