Common Fungal Infections Encountered in Dermatology | Southlake Area

Written by

Photo By RyanKing999 at istock

Fungus is everywhere. It lives in air, water, soil, and plants, and scientists have identified 120,000 species. Many researchers believe that up to 3.8 million fungal species exist around the world. Very few fungi infect humans, but species that do colonize humans are very common. Dermatology clinics can treat minor and severe fungal infections.

Fungus can affect any part of the body, including the scalp. A dermatology clinic in the Southlake area can diagnose and treat potential fungal infections, or provide information on best practices to prevent infection.

Athletes Foot

Athlete’s foot, tinea pedis, is a fungal infection associated with sports because socks, shoes, gym mats, and locker rooms provide a warm, moist environment. This doesn’t mean that a person must be an athlete to catch athlete’s foot. The fungus is common, especially in the warm climate of the Southlake area during summer months.

Symptoms include itching, stinging, or burning sensations, redness or blisters, or peeling and cracked skin. Skin between the toes is especially vulnerable to peeling, softening, or breakdown. Medical professionals at a dermatology clinic diagnose athlete’s foot by examining a piece of affected skin under a microscope.

Topical antifungal ointments are available over-the-counter or by prescription. A severe infection may require oral medications. Consult the staff at your local dermatology clinic for help finding medications and learn how to care for feet and skin to promote healing.

Prevent athlete’s foot by keeping feet dry and wearing clean shoes and socks. Wear sandals in public showers and locker rooms. Tinea pedis can also infect toenails.

It can take years for obvious symptoms, such as yellowing or crumbling, to appear after athlete’s foot infections spread to toenails. Infections usually start with the great toe. Visit a dermatology clinic at the first signs of discoloration. Toenails are thicker than fingernails, and removing the nail may be the only option if fungus has spread through multiple layers of nail tissue.

Ringworm

Ringworm, tinea corporis, is caused by a type of fungus that lives on dead tissues including hair, nails, and skin. The same species of fungus that causes ringworm is also responsible for athlete’s foot and jock itch.

Ringworm infections are recognizable due to their unique shape. The microorganisms grow in a red circular patch. The patch is itchy and scaly and often becomes raised and bumpy over time. The interior of the circle looks like clear skin, or it may have a white, scaly appearance.

Ringworm is extremely contagious. It is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact and contact with pets. Tinea corporis also survives on towels, clothes, and brushes. Ringworm fungus is also very common in soil and mud.

Dermatologists diagnose ringworm by taking a skin sample and examining it because ringworm can also look similar to other skin infections and conditions. Topical creams and ointments are typical treatments.

Tinea Capitus

Tinea capitis is a form of ringworm that affects the skin of the eyebrows, eyelashes, and scalp. The fungi attack hair shafts and follicles. It usually affects children, but adults are susceptible too.

Symptoms of tinea capitus include flaking skin that looks like dandruff, discolored white or gray skin in the eyebrows or scalp, and an itching or burning sensation.

Skin around hair follicles may become inflamed and painful. Visit a dermatology clinic as soon as symptoms appear. Treatment includes prescription shampoos, creams, and other soaps containing antifungal agents. Oral medications may be necessary for severe infections.

Ringworm of the Nails

Ringworm is called onychomycosis or tinea unguium when it affects nails. Nails infected with ringworm appear white, yellow, or brown. The nail may begin to crumble and feel ‘loose,’ as thought it is lifting up from the nail bed.

People with certain medical conditions such as diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, and obesity are more prone to fungal nail infections. Artificial nails increase risk of infection because fingernails are scraped and prepped in other ways that make the nail more susceptible.

Doctors at a dermatology clinics diagnose fungal infections in the fingernails. Topical anti-fungal medications are not very effective for nails because medication can not penetrate hard layers of tissue. Oral medications or injections are usually necessary, and sometimes fingernails are removed.

Candidiasis

Candidiasis is more commonly known as a yeast infection. Many people think of yeast infections as a gynecological infections. While vaginal yeast infections are fairly common, anyone can contract a yeast infection.

Candidiasis overgrowth can occur anywhere on the body where warm, damp conditions exist. It is most common in infants and the elderly. Thrush is an infection of the lips, tongue, and other tissues in the mouth caused by candidiasis.

People with compromised immune systems and anyone taking long-term medications such as steroids or antibiotics are most vulnerable. Healthy adults also experience yeast infections under the right conditions. The organisms grow well in skin folds, the underarm area, underneath the breasts, and in the groin or inner thighs.

Skin and tissue breakdown as a result of candidiasis infection gives other microorganisms, such as bacteria, an opportunity to infect the area. Schedule an appointment with a dermatology clinic as soon as possible for suspected yeast infections. Antifungal and antibacterial agents are needed if the infected area contains multiple types of microorganisms.

An unofficial rule of hygiene for fungal infections is “wet for dry, dry for wet.” Applying ointments or creams to the groin or skin folds can be very uncomfortable. It adds moisture to an area that is already sore. Nystatin powder is a common treatment. Nystatin is also available as an ointment that contains medications to treat bacteria and fungi.

Some fungal infections, such as tinea manuum, can occur on dry skin. Powder treatments are of limited use on dry, exposed areas such as the arms and legs, so ointments or creams are more effective. It is best to consult a doctor for any fungal infection or skin problem before attempting treatment. Compassion Dermatology in the Southlake area can diagnose the problem and recommend proper treatment.

Dermatological Procedures and Operations | Dermatologist in Southlake, TX

Written by

Photo By jarabee123 at Shutterstock

Contrary to popular belief, dermatologists are not just cosmetic practitioners who inject Botox and make wrinkles disappear. Their scope of practice goes beyond working on your facial and cosmetic appearance.

It is a distinct and diverse field of medicine and healthcare with its own need and purpose. Due to environmental pollution, ozone depletion, and general state of the climate becoming adverse, skin conditions and ailments are becoming all too common. This is why it is important to know and understand what a dermatologist can do for you.

Most misunderstandings about dermatology are due to the fact this field is as well or extensively depicted in media and entertainment as other disciplines like surgery or dentistry. Naturally, there is a general ignorance among the public. It might be very well worth your while to pay your local dermatologist in Southlake, TX a visit and inquire just exactly what they do and how you can benefit from them.

If you are too busy to do that then check here for a list of some common procedures and operations that dermatologists perform. You will be surprised to find out that most of them are not even concerned with physical beauty or cosmetic purposes.

1.  Cyst Extraction

Sebaceous cysts are large pockets and growths which are filled with dead white blood cells, oils, liquid, and sebaceous secretions. They are often benign and appear as little more than bumps and don’t require any treatment.

Sometimes, they can appear to be quite big and start bulging from the skin which looks very off putting, not to mention at that point they can be very painful and if they become infected then can lead to serious infection. Your local dermatologist in Southlake, TX knows how to handle them.

Cyst removal usually requires local anesthesia and surgical extraction. You must never attempt to rupture the cyst on your own since unlike a pimple they are located under the thick epidermal layer.

2.  Boil Lancing

Boils are infected hair follicles which grow red, inflamed, and sensitive. They are very painful and often develop a lot of pus.

Usually your dermatologist in Southlake, TX will prescribe you pain medication to manage the pain and wait for the boil to dry up on its own. However, if after a certain point the boil does not shrivel up and is causing pain then it will be time to drain it.

Using local anesthesia, the dermatologist will puncture it and allow the accumulated pus to drain out and then sterilize the wound so re-infection does not occur. The draining of abscesses which are collections of pus anywhere in the body, not all too dissimilar from boils, is also done the same way.

3.  Comedome Extraction

Comedomes are collections of keratin, oils, and sebum in hair follicles. They block the hair follicle and depending on whether this collection of matter takes place inside the follicle or nearer the skin, you get what are called whiteheads or blackheads.

Comedomes can be treated with normal hygiene practices and don’t require the service of your dermatologist in Southlake, TX but in some cases, they can get infected and inflamed or perhaps become too big and become macrodomes. This can become aesthetically unappealing.

In such a case, your dermatologist can remove them with precise cleaning instruments and leave your face feeling fresh and clean. Such cases of comedomes requiring dermatological intervention are usually in individuals with poor hygiene, excessive sebum and oil production or old people.

4.  Mole Removal

Moles are benign tumors which really don’t do anything to affect a person and occur post-puberty usually. However, they can be unappealing  and cause psychological anxiety and self-esteem issues in teenagers if they appear on the face, lips, and neck.

Your dermatologist in Southlake, TX can snip and remove them easily without scarring; it is a simple process over in a few minutes. There is another reason why you should get moles inspected and checked by your dermatologist in Southlake, TX. It is because new mole development is often associated with skin cancers. Considering the likelihood of skin cancer has increased due to ozone depletion, it is better to be safe than sorry and have that new growth, no matter where it might be on the body, checked out.

5.  Laser Treatments

The use of lasers in dermatology and medicine overall has picked up steam. This has been possible due to advancements in laser technology which have made the use of it more easily plausible than before.

Your dermatologist in Southlake, TX might use laser treatment for a number of different procedures like burning unwanted hair follicles to prevent re-growth, removing scars, removing acne or for removing warts and other growths. It is possible, however, that not every dermatologist offers laser treatment so you should first check with your dermatologist in Southlake, TX if they do so.

6.  Fungal Treatments

Fungal infections and yeast infections, a major example being athlete’s foot, are common skin conditions, particularly, in people with compromised immune systems.

Fungal infections can be very itchy and annoying while leaving the skin red, moist, and clammy. Your dermatologist in Southlake, TX can apply local topical ointments and creams which can clear such infections right away and prescribe proper hygiene practices to ensure they don’t return.

Conclusion

This list was just scratching the surface of all the different procedures and operations that dermatologists carry out. This did not even touch the many conditions of the nails and hair which are also treated by dermatologists. If you want to get a dermatological checkup and are looking for a dermatologist in Southlake, TX then consider Compassion Dermatology today. Our specialists provide a variety of treatments and services for various dermatological problems and conditions common in everyday life.

You can call us on 817-380-5911 to book an appointment today.