Fungal infections: the most effective dietary supplements

Fungal infections are infections caused by microscopic fungi that can proliferate on the skin, nails, or mucous membranes. These fungi, which include genera such as Candida, Pityrosporum, and Aspergillus, can be naturally present on our skin without causing problems, but under certain conditions they can cause infections, called mycoses.

Risk Factors

The development of fungal infections is favored by several factors: • Local conditions: humidity, heat, poor hygiene, excessive sweating, maceration in shoes. • Medications: antibiotics, corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, chemotherapy, oral contraceptives with high doses of estrogens. • Pathophysiological changes: weakened immune system (patients on immunosuppressants, chemotherapy, HIV), uncontrolled hyperglycemia.

Types of Fungal Infections

Fungal infections can be classified according to the affected area: Cutaneous fungal infections: affect the large skin folds (intertrigo) and the nails. Mucosal fungal infections: affect mucous membranes such as the oropharynx (oral thrush) and the genital organs (candidiasis). Deep fungal infections: generally affect immunocompromised people, such as aspergillosis and cryptococcosis.

Symptoms

Symptoms of fungal infections vary depending on the type of infection: • Cutaneous fungal infections: red patches, oozing, itching, crusts. • Mucosal fungal infections: mucosal redness, whitish coating, itching, pain. • Deep fungal infections: respiratory symptoms (for pulmonary infections), deep skin lesions, sometimes severe systemic symptoms.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of superficial fungal infections is generally made by clinical examination and direct observation of the lesions. For deep or invasive fungal infections, complementary methods such as histochemical stains, immunohistochemistry, and molecular biology are necessary. These techniques allow confirmation of the presence of the fungus in the tissues and determination of the exact species involved.

Treatment

Superficial fungal infections: topical antifungals (creams, ointments), sometimes combined with oral antifungals for more extensive or resistant infections. Deep fungal infections: require hospital management with potent systemic antifungals (oral or intravenous) and close monitoring, particularly in immunocompromised patients.