Symptoms of Fungal Infections

Most people don’t realize that fungi are everywhere. They can be found in plants, the soil, and even the skin. But don’t worry, the presence of microorganisms on your skin is normal. And most of them are harmless, so you never notice them at all.

But sometimes, you get cuts, scrapes, or lesions. And that’s when fungi can penetrate the skin and cause an infection. When left untreated, it can spread fast. Even more so if you live in a warm, humid country like the Philippines, as fungi thrive in these conditions.

Here are some symptoms that common fungal infections cause on the skin:

Irritation
Scaliness
Redness
Itching
Swelling
Blisters

Remember: fungi tends to grow in warm, moist spots1 –which includes certain areas in your body. This is why most fungal infections develop on the back, the groin, and the feet. These places don’t get much air, so they can get damp and sweaty during the summer.

If you find yourself itching a lot in these areas, then you just might have a fungal infection. Here’s how to tell:

Symptoms of Athlete’s Foot (Alipunga)

Peeling, cracking, scaly skin on the feet
Red, softened, and broken down skin
Blisters, itching and a burning feeling

Symptoms of Ringworm (Buni)

Red, circular, flat sores
Scaly skin
Itching

Symptoms of Jock Itch (Hadhad)

Itching, chafing, or burning in your inner thigh or groin area
Red circular rashes with raised edges
Redness on your inner thigh or groin area
Flaking, peeling or cracking skin

If you see any of these symptoms on your body, you should act fast to stop the fungal infection from spreading further. Thankfully, there’s a widely available solution for these symptoms: antifungal creams or hydrocortisone cream like Clotrimazole (Canesten®).

For decades, this renowned antifungal cream has helped countless Filipinos deal with fungal skin infections. It has Triple Defense action that stops fungi growth, kills it and eliminates the annoying itch that often comes with it. You should always have some at home, as you never know when you’ll develop a fungal infection.

Topical creams are very easy to use. Just apply Clotrimazole (Canesten®) cream thinly to the affected area and spread it gently. Repeat this for 2-3 times a day, for up to 2 or 4 weeks until all your symptoms have completely disappeared. Do note that the length of treatment may vary depending on the type and severity of the fungal infection you have.

If you are pregnant or elderly, a doctor can advise you if you can use an antifungal medication or recommend an alternative treatment option. In the event that you see no improvements after seven days, or if you have a weakened immune system, consider seeing your doctor before using any topical antifungal cream.