Many a times we do not even realise that we are suffering from a skin infection. What we consider a simple rash and try using home remedies on, can actually be an infection that needs proper medical care.

Both skin fungal infection treatment and medicines are easily available in Delhi and all over India, and there must not be a delay in getting it cured. Here are three types of most common skin fungal infections that one should know about that mostly occur on foot:

Athlete’s Foot (Tinea Pedis)

A contagious fungal infection commonly seen in athletes, it mostly affects the skin on the feet and spreads to the toenails and in few cases the hands. Tinea fungus thrives in warm, moist environments.

Symptoms of Athlete’s Foot include itching, stinging & burning between the toes, soles of the feet; blisters; cracking and peeling of the skin; discolored, thick & crumbly toenails, etc.

In most cases it can be treated with topical over the counter medicines, but a doctor may also prescribe oral medications.

Onychomycosis (Nail Infections)

Fungus causing a nail infection often lives harmlessly on the skin, but multiplies and leads to infections at times. The fungi prefers warm, dark and moist places, and affects toenails more than the fingernails.

Symptoms of a fungal nail infection include dis-coloration of the nail; thickening & distortion of the nail; pain, particularly when placing pressure on the affected part; brittle or crumbly nails, etc.

A doctor may prescribe antifungal tablets to be taken once or twice a day; antifungal nail paints; nail softening kits, etc.

Ringworm (Tinea Corporis)

Ringworm is present as red patches on affected areas and spreads to other parts of the body like scalp, feet, groin, beard, etc. too.

Symptoms of ringworm include red, itchy, scaly or raised patches; blisters on red patches; patches with edges that are defined, etc.

There are few types of ringworm that may affect you like:

• Ringworm of the scalp (tinea capitis); most common among children it often starts as small sores that develop into itchy, scaly bald patches.
• Ringworm of the body (tinea corporis); it has the characteristic round “ring” shape.
• Jock itch (tinea cruris); this develops mostly in men and adolescent boys and refers to infection of the skin around the groin, inner thighs, and buttocks.

Be it of any type, a fungal skin infection must be treated on time and by a good skin specialist.