Causes and Risk Factors
Causes
- Athlete’s Foot: Moist environments in warm seasons
- Yeast Infections: Imbalance in vaginal bacteria due to antibiotics, stress, hormonal changes, or poor diet
- Jock Itch: Common in warm or humid areas; thrives in damp body regions
- Ringworm: Caused by fungi feeding on dead skin, hair, and nails
Risk Factors
- Weakened immune systems
- Antibiotic use
- Poor hygiene
- Diabetes
- Tight clothing
- Contamination through shared personal items
Complications
For immunocompromised individuals, fungal infections can spread to vital organs like the heart and brain, causing:
- Abscesses
- Endocarditis (heart inflammation)
- Meningitis
- Kidney inflammation or organ failure
Diagnosis
- Athlete’s Foot: Skin scrapings examined under a microscope
- Yeast Infections: Medical history and physical examination; vaginal cell biopsy if necessary
- Jock Itch & Ringworm: Visual diagnosis or skin sampling