Yeast or mold infections that affect the skin, nails, or hair, often resulting in redness, flaking, or itching.
What is it?
Fungal infections develop when fungi invade the outer layer of the skin, often in warm, moist environments. These infections are highly contagious and can spread through direct contact, shared clothing, or damp surfaces like locker rooms. Common types include athlete’s foot (tinea pedis), jock itch (tinea cruris), ringworm (tinea corporis), nail fungus, and yeast infections.
These conditions can cause irritation, inflammation, scaling, cracking, and even odor. Immunocompromised individuals and people with diabetes are at increased risk. Infections can become chronic without proper treatment.
How is it treated?
Charlotte Dermatology offers comprehensive care for fungal skin infections at multiple locations across the Charlotte area. Diagnosis is typically made through a clinical exam, though a KOH prep or fungal culture may be used to confirm the diagnosis and identify the strain.
Treatments often include prescription-strength topical antifungals, such as clotrimazole or terbinafine. For more extensive or resistant cases, oral antifungals may be prescribed. Nail infections may require long-term therapy or in-office procedures to reduce thickened nails. Patients are also educated on hygiene practices, moisture management, and footwear tips to help prevent recurrence and protect skin health over time.