Fungal infections occur when fungi enter your lungs or grow inside your mouth, on your skin, or other body parts.
Many different fungal infections exist. Some are quite common, while others are very rare.
Anyone can get a fungal infection, but people with weakened immune systems have the highest risk.
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Doctors define a fungal infection as any infection that forms from a fungus.
A fungus is a type of organism like bacteria or a plant, but fungi are in their own kingdom. Scientists have named about 150,000 species of fungus, and there are likely millions more that they've yet to discover.
Most fungi are harmless to humans. They include food items you know, like mushrooms and yeast, along with mildew, mold, and plant diseases called rusts.
But some fungi can cause disease in humans.
Most fungal infections affect your skin, hair, or nails. Others can affect your lungs, sinuses, or other parts of your body.
Some fungal diseases can cause severe illness and even death if not treated. About 7,200 people died from a fungal disease in 2021.
There are many kinds of fungal infections.
Some are mild and only require over-the-counter treatments. Others are more severe and need care from a doctor.
The more common fungal diseases include:
Fungal infections occur when a fungus that can cause disease comes in direct contact with certain parts of your body.
Sometimes, you breathe in fungal spores from the fungus, like tiny seeds in the air you can't see. Fungus can also enter your skin through a cut, burn, or other injuries.
In very rare cases, a fungal infection can occur during surgery if providers don't follow all safety practices.
People with weakened immune systems have the greatest risk of fungal infections.
These include people:
Risk factors for other fungal infections depend on the fungus that causes it.
For instance, people with a higher risk of getting a fungal nail infection are those with:
Risk factors for vaginal yeast infections include:
Risk factors for mouth or throat yeast infections include:
Some fungal infections will go away on their own, but most need treatment so they don't spread or get worse.
The most severe infections can cause organ damage or death if they're not treated.
You can lower your risk of many fungal infections with good hygiene.
For instance, athletes in close contact sports should shower after practice and games. They should also keep their uniform and gear clean and not share it with other players.
To avoid a nail fungal infection, don't share nail clippers and keep fingernails and toenails short and clean. If you go to a nail salon, make sure it follows proper hygiene rules and has a state license.
You can reduce your risk of mouth or throat yeast infections by brushing your teeth and flossing often. If you use a steroid inhaler, rinse your mouth or brush your teeth after using it.
Other things you can do to lower your risk of a fungal infection:
The symptoms of a fungal infection depend on what type it is.
For instance, symptoms from a fungal skin infection will differ from those from a lung infection.
Common signs of a nail fungal infection include cracked, discolored, frail, or thick nails. Sometimes, the nail will pull away from the skin.
Ringworm infections often have a ring-shaped rash (in the groin area, it looks like red spots).
The skin tends to be itchy, red, scaly, or cracked and may peel on the feet or in between toes.
Ringworm on the scalp or in a beard can cause hair loss.
If you have this type of fungal infection, you may feel itchy or sore in the vaginal area.
You may also have unusual discharge and pain during sex or when you pee.
Symptoms may include:
Symptoms of more severe fungal infections can look the same as symptoms of many other bacterial or viral infections.
How the doctor arrives at a diagnosis depends on the type of fungal infection you have.
For instance, they may only need to look at the skin or nails to see the issue. For a vaginal yeast infection, they often swab a sample to look at under a microscope.
But other fungal infections, such as those in the lungs, require more details and testing.
Your doctor may ask if you've recently traveled, do a biopsy, or take samples.
They may also order:
Some fungal infections go away on their own.
But most require an anti-fungal medicine — such as a cream for the skin, an oral drug, or even an IV.
If your symptoms don't go away with the first treatment, your doctor will prescribe a different anti-fungal medicine.
Some severe infections may require:
In rare cases, fungal infections require surgery.
