How does foot fungus affect the body?

How does foot fungus affect the body?

If a toenail fungus spreads to the skin and causes it to crack, bacteria can get in. This may cause cellulitis, a condition that produces swollen, red, tender skin and must be treated with antibiotics, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

What part of the body is affected by tinea pedis?

Athlete’s foot, or tinea pedis, is an infection of the skin and feet that can be caused by a variety of different fungi. Although tinea pedis can affect any portion of the foot, the infection most often affects the space between the toes.

Does Athlete’s foot affect the whole foot?

Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that causes scaly rash that may itch, sting or burn. Athlete’s foot can affect one or both feet.

What body system does fungal infections affect?

Systemic fungal infections affect organs such as the lungs, eyes, liver, and brain and also can affect the skin. They typically occur in people who have a weakened immune system (see Opportunistic fungal infections.

Is athlete’s foot bad?

They’re usually not dangerous, but sometimes can cause disease. When they infect the skin, they cause mild but annoying rashes. Fungal skin infections are also known as tinea infections. When fungus grows on the feet, it is called athlete’s foot (or tinea pedis).

Can Athlete’s foot affect other body parts?

Athlete’s foot can spread if you scratch the itch and then touch other parts of your body, including your groin (jock itch) and the skin under your arms. It can also spread to other parts of your body via contaminated sheets or clothing.

Can athlete’s foot spread to heels?

The skin in affected areas can grow thin and be tender. If allowed to progress, the fungal infection can spread. All of the area between your toes may become affected, the skin on your heels may grow thick and cracked, or your toenails may suffer infection.

Can Athlete’s foot cause nerve damage?

Although neuropathies in the athlete’s foot, ankle, and leg are uncommon, they are often underdiagnosed, primarily because of the complex interplay of causative factors. The physician should be aware of the possible occurrence of these neuropathies, and should be familiar with the anatomy and course of the nerves.

Can a fungal infection affect your whole body?

Invasive candidiasis is an infection caused by a yeast (a type of fungus) called Candida. Unlike Candida infections in the mouth and throat (also called “thrush”) or vaginal “yeast infections,” invasive candidiasis is a serious infection that can affect the blood, heart, brain, eyes, bones, and other parts of the body.

What happens when fungus enters the body?

When fungal organisms enter the body and the immune system is compromised these fungi grow, spread and invade into tissue and spread locally. Some organisms, especially yeast and some molds, can invade the blood vessels and cause infection in the bloodstream and distant organs.

How does athlete’s foot affect your foot skin?

Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease) Athlete’s foot, a common fungal infection, can make your skin red, itchy and uncomfortable. Athlete’s foot usually occurs in moist areas between the toes, and can also cause blisters and cracked skin.

What kind of infection is athlete’s foot?

Athlete’s foot is a fungus infection when the skin between toes become itchy and sore, cracking and peeling away. This fungus grows well in warm, damp areas like swimming pools, showers, and locker rooms, which are commonly used by atheletes.

What’s the difference between athlete’s foot and fungus?

Athlete’s foot is a type of fungal skin infection. Fungi (the plural of fungus) are microscopic plant-like organisms that thrive in damp, warm environments. They’re usually not dangerous, but sometimes can cause disease.

What happens if athlete’s foot is left untreated?

If left untreated, there is a risk that the infection will spread from toe to toe. A rash may develop on the sides and the bottom of the feet. In rare cases, athlete’s foot can spread to the hands, this is known as tinea manuum.