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Fungal infections tend to occur on warm, moist areas of the body, like the groin, but can develop on other areas. You can get a fungal infection by touching someone or something infected with a fungus, like soil, an animal, or another person.
Tinea is one type of fungus that can cause infection. It can grow on skin, hair, or nails. As it grows, it spreads out in a circle, leaving normal skin in the middle. This makes it look like a ring. At the edge of the ring, the skin raised by the irritation looks red and scaly. Tinea infection is sometimes called “ringworm,” because of the way it looks—although there isn’t a worm under the skin.
The most common types of ringworm include:
- Scalp ringworm: It’s most common in children and is very contagious. Symptoms include a scalp rash and itching, leading to hair loss.
- Athlete’s foot: An infection that often occurs between the toes. It causes red, itchy, cracked skin between toes.
- Nail infections: Nails can discolor, get thick, and have crumbling edges. Anyone can get a fungal nail infection, although they’re more common in people older than age 60, as well as in those who have diabetes or circulation problems.
- “Jock itch”: An itchy, red rash in and around the groin. It’s seen most often in men who have been sweating a lot, especially if they often wear athletic equipment.
Yeast infections are another type of fungal infection. Yeast lives in the digestive system and vaginal area. It normally doesn’t cause any problems. However, it can cause infection when the skin is damaged. Yeast infections are more common in warm, damp areas of the body, like the groin. Diaper rash is one example of a yeast infection that affects the skin.
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