Tinea Infections: Athlete"s Foot, Tinea and Ringworm

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What is tinea?

Tinea is a fungus that can grow on your skin, hair or nails. As it grows, it spreads out in a circle, leaving normal-looking skin in the middle. This makes it look like a ring. At the edge of the ring, the skin is lifted up by the irritation and looks red and scaly. To some people, the infection looks like a worm is under the skin. Because of the way it looks, tinea infection is often called “ringworm.” However, there really isn’t a worm under the skin.

How did I get a fungal infection?

You can get a fungal infection by touching a person who has one. Some kinds of fungi live on damp surfaces, like the floors in public showers or locker rooms. You can easily pick up a fungus there. You can even catch a fungal infection from your pets. Dogs, cats and farm animals can be infected with a fungus. Often this infection looks like a patch of skin where fur is missing.

What areas of the body are affected by tinea infections?

Tinea infections are named for the part of the body they infect. Tinea corporis is a fungal infection of the skin on the body. (“Corporis” is the Latin word for body.) If you have this infection, you may see small, red spots that grow into large rings almost anywhere on your arms, legs or chest. The rash may also itch.

Tinea pedis is usually called “athlete’s foot.” (“Pedis” is the Latin word for foot.) The moist skin between your toes is a perfect place for a fungus to grow. The skin may become itchy and red, with blisters and cracking of the skin. The infection may also spread to the toenails. (This is called tinea unguium — “unguium” comes from the Latin word for nail.) Here it causes the toenails to become thick and crumbly. It can also spread to your hands and fingernails.

When a fungus grows in the moist, warm area of the groin, the rash is called tinea cruris. (“Cruris” comes from the Latin for leg.) The common name for this infection is “jock itch.” The rash can be itchy and painful. Tinea cruris generally occurs in men, especially if they often wear athletic equipment.

Tinea capitis, which is called “ringworm,” causes itchy, red areas, usually on the head. (“Capitis” comes from the Latin for head.) The hair is destroyed, leaving bald patches. This tinea infection is most common in children.

How do I know if I have a fungal infection?

The best way to know for sure is to ask your doctor. Other skin problems can look similar to a fungal infection but require very different treatments. To find out exactly what is causing your rash, your doctor may scrape a small amount of the irritated skin onto a glass slide (or clip off a piece of nail or hair). Then he or she will look at the skin, nail or hair under a microscope. After doing this, your doctor will usually be able to tell if your skin problem is caused by a fungus.

Sometimes a piece of your skin, hair or nail will be sent to a lab to grow the fungus in a test tube. This is another way the lab can tell if your skin problem is caused by a fungus. They can also find out the exact type of fungus. This process takes a while because a fungus grows slowly.

How do I get rid of a tinea infection?

Once your doctor decides that you have a tinea infection, antifungal medicine can be used to treat it. You may only need to put an antifungal cream on the rash for a few weeks. This is especially true for jock itch.

It can be harder to get rid of fungal infections on other parts of the body. Sometimes you have to take an antifungal medicine by mouth. This medicine usually has to be taken for a long time, maybe even for months. Irritated skin takes time to heal. New hair or nails will have to grow back.

Some medicines can have unpleasant effects on the rest of your body, especially if you’re also taking other medicines. There are some newer medicines that seem to work better with fewer side effects. Talk with your doctor about which medicine is right for you.

What can I do to prevent tinea infections?

Skin that is kept clean and dry is your best defense. However, you’re also less likely to get a tinea infection if you do the following things:

• When you’re at home, take your shoes off and expose your feet to the air.


• Change your socks and underwear every day, especially in warm weather.


• Dry your feet carefully (especially between the toes) after using a locker room or public shower.


• Avoid walking barefoot in public areas. Instead, wear flip-flops, sandals or water shoes.


• Don’t wear thick clothing for long periods of time in warm weather. It will make you sweat more, which can encourage the growth of fungal infections.


• Throw away worn-out exercise shoes. Never borrow other people’s shoes.


• Don’t let other people use your towels or wear your clothing. Don’t borrow these items from others.


• Check your pets for areas of hair loss. Ask your veterinarian to check them, also. It’s important to check pets carefully, because if you don’t find out whether they’re causing your fungal infection, you may get it again from them, even after treatment.


• Make sure shared exercise equipment (such as a treadmill at your gym) is clean before you use it.

Can tinea cause serious illness?

A fungus rarely spreads below the surface of the body to cause serious illness. Your body usually prevents this. However, people who have weak immune systems, such as people who have HIV or AIDS, may have a hard time getting rid of a fungal infection.

Tinea infections usually don’t leave scars after the fungus is gone. Sometimes, people don’t even realize they have a fungal infection and get better without any treatment.

Article from: http://familydoctor.org/

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How Do Dogs Get Ringworm Infections? - Welcome to the Phytozine Blog

One of the most regular ways in which humans can contract a fungal infection and need a ringworm cure is from their dogs.  Snuggling up with a dog is a wonderful thing but their hair makes it very hard to know if they have a ringworm infection.  Dogs can get a these infections in many different ways and it’s important to know this so you can help prevent it.  Review this list and you can minimize the chances for both you and your pet get ringworm:

Food – Often from food that has been left outside or thrown on the ground.  Old dog food or scraps can be a ringworm heaven because they are perfect environments for fungus growth.  It’s best to always feed dogs with fresh foods.

Soil – Fungus can grow and thrive into soil and dirt particularly if it stays damn or cool.  If your dog is a digger, it’s a good idea to have him/her tested for ringworm fairly often.  Dogs will lick their paws after digging to clean themselves up and the fungal infection will get into their bloodstream or on other parts of their body.

Mothers Milk – This is typical in puppies.  Fungal agents can live in the intestines of dogs and attach themselves to foods that pass through.  They sometimes get circulated to the mothers milk and when the puppies feed, the infection is spread.  It’s a good idea to have a mother dog tested after having a litter of puppies

Dog poop – Be sure to dispose of any dog poop that gets on your lawn rather than letting is sit for awhile. Although it’s not our favorite thing to admit, it’s a fact that dogs sometimes like to taste poop where fungal agents are very often alive and well.

Be proactive and protect your dog from these high risk situation and you will be less likely to have to seek a ringworm cure for yourself!

How to Recognize and Treat Dog Skin Infections « Whole Life Pets Blog

Your dog’s skin is actually a protective organ – the largest organ in the body.  When this barrier is compromised, the stage is set for infection.  There are three types of organisms that can cause skin infections – bacteria, fungus and yeast.  Often there will be an underlying health issue that sets the stage for skin infections, so be sure to address the primary cause when you treat for a skin disorder or you will find yourself dealing with a chronic problem that continues to return – possibly worse every time.

Underlying conditions can be allergies – particularly to parasites, hormonal imbalances such as hyperthyroidism, immune deficiencies or autoimmune conditions.  Anything that makes your dog itch intensely can set the stage for infection – if they scratch or chew their skin enough bacteria or yeasts can reach the deeper layers of skin and grow out of control – causing more itching and scratching and a vicious cycle begins.  Proper diagnosis is important so you know exactly what you are treating.

Bacterial Infection

Healthy skin is teaming with bacteria; it is only when there is an underlying health issue as discussed above that pathogenic bacteria can take over and cause infection and lesions.  Staph bacteria are the most common organisms found in infected areas of a dog’s skin.  These bacteria are not contagious to you or other pets – they are already present on the skin and only become an issue when things get out of balance.

Symptoms
Typically you will see itchy, yellowish raised areas.  The skin often looks red and irritated around the pustule.  Eventually they erupt and become crusty –  leaving a red, irritated patch of skin beneath.  As the condition progresses you will notice a foul smell and patches of missing fur.

Sores can appear anywhere on the body, but frequently appear first on the trunk – eventually spreading to the legs and neck.  Infection can also set up between the toes or in the ear.

Treatment
Both the external lesions and the internal immune imbalance must be addressed.  Allergies are often the original culprit – so be sure to follow the steps outlined for treating itchy skin: Dogs with Itchy Skin – Why They Itch and How to Help.

1. Healing the external lesions begins with a bath.    Visit your veterinarian for an anti-bacterial shampoo and rinse.


2. After the bath when the fur has dried you will need to trim the hair around every lesion to allow good air circulation.


3. Apply a topical antiseptic such as diluted Apple Cider Vinegar, Povidone Iodine, or my personal favorite – Bee Propolis Tincture mixed with coconut oil.  Treat twice a day until the lesions heal completely and watch for any developing lesions and treat before they erupt.

After the initial healing is complete, keep your pet’s skin in good health with weekly baths using a gentle, soothing shampoo such as colloidal oatmeal or itch-busting tea tree oil shampoo. Contrary to what many pet owners believe, frequent bathing will not dry out your companion’s skin if you use the proper shampoo and rinse.  For dogs with sensitive skin that are prone to infection, a weekly bath can be the one thing that prevents re-infection and the vicious cycle of the itch.

Yeast Infection

Malassezia pachydermatis is a yeast commonly found on the skin and in the ears of dogs. When a dog’s immune system becomes stressed, Malassezia yeast can multiply until it becomes pathogenic in susceptible dogs.

Symptoms
Yeast overgrowth results in itchy, oily, or scaly skin, hair loss, redness or blackening of the skin, thickening of the skin, and an offensive greasy odor.  The ears and skin can both become infected.  The dog may also be lethargic and lack energy.

Treatment
As with bacterial infections, yeast infections must be treated both internally and externally.  An anti-fungal shampoo and rinse (Selsun Blue works) along with a tea tree oil based spray or ointment to treat affected skin are the first step externally.

Internal treatment follows the same course as treatment for candidiasis – which is the same protocol we follow for allergies (see Dogs with Itchy Skin – Why They Itch and How to Help).  Grain-free food is best, and home-made would be ideal.  Invest in a high quality, high potency probiotic supplement as this will be a key component to healing the digestive tract – along with enzymes and essential fatty acids.

In addition to the above, adding anti-fungal herbs such as Olive Leaf Extract and coconut oil – which contains the yeast-killer caprylic acid, to your pet’s regimen will speed the healing process.

Detoxifying herbs are also very helpful and will ease your companion’s healing process.  As the candida organisms in the digestive tract die, they release toxins that can tax a dog’s already compromised immune system.  Herbal support to aid detoxification can hasten healing and keep your companion more comfortable through the process.

Fungal Infections

Ringworm is by far the most common fungal infection in dogs.  There is no actual “worm” involved – it is strictly a fungus.  Ringworm is contagious – both to you and other animals in the household so take precautions when treating your companion.  Don’t let children pet an infected dog until he is completely healed.

Symptoms
Ringworm infection causes circular areas of hair loss, with dry scaly skin in the center and a red ring at the outer edges. Lesions tend to gradually increase in size. In dogs, ringworm is most frequently seen on the face, ears, legs and paws, tail and/or base of the tail. Ringworm does not always cause itching and scratching, but it may.  If left untreated for long, a secondary bacterial infection can invade the irritated skin and cause further problems.

Treatment
Ringworm occurs more often in puppies with undeveloped immune systems and dogs under stress with a compromised immune system, so immune support is an essential part of treatment.

1.  Tea tree oil is effective in treating ringworm, so start with a bath using a tea tree oil shampoo.  Add additional drops off tea tree oil to the shampoo to increase the anti-fungal action.  (Tea Tree Oil should not be used on cats).


2. Rinse the affected areas with Apple Cider Vinegar, which is also anti-fungal.


3. Clip the hair around the lesion(s) and treat them directly with tea tree oil.


4. Support your companion’s immune system with herbal or nutritional remedies such as IMMUNITY by Organic Pet Superfood.

After several days you should notice the patches shrinking and looking more normal.  Once the lesions have completely disappeared, continue to treat for another day or two to prevent any lingering fungal cells from reproducing.

Fungal Infections in Dogs

Fungi that dog attack

When we were here fungi says, most of us picture fungi, fungi and yeast bread may in our thoughts, but also mushroom can cause disease in dogs and humans. fungi responsible for general ringworm in dogs. As you can already guess it, the fungi that infects dogs will not result in the emergence of a cute little parasol fungi with a red cap and white spots on your dog – not fungi will cause anything from mild skin irritation up to damage internal organs shut down.

Pathogenic fungi vs opportunistic fungi  in dogs

Fungi that causes disease in dogs can be a wide place in two distinct categories: opportunistic fungi and  pathogenic fungi. Pathogenic fungi species are able to cause infection in healthy dogs, whereas opportunistic fungi causing disease in dogs that have been weakened by something else, such as viral or bacterial infections, stress due to incorrect treatment of dogs, malnutrition, old age, so wounds. Histoplasmosis, Blastomycosis, Coccidioidomycosis and Cryptococcosis is an example of a disease caused by the pathogenic fungi and is generally seen in healthy dogs. Aspergillosis and Candidiasis is an example of a disease caused by opportunistic fungi and is commonly seen in dogs weakened by something else. Prolonged administration of antimicrobial, including antibiotics, appear to increase the risk of opportunistic fungi infections in dogs.

Symptoms and diagnosis of fungal diseases in dogs

The symptoms of fungal disease in dogs will naturally vary depending on the exact and the microbes that cause systemic infections is still limited to specific parts of the body of a dog. Gross lesions generally associated with fungal disease in dogs, but they are certainly not the only symptom.

In order to provide a definite diagnosis, your vet can do a culture and hopefully determine the organisms that are behind the problems experienced by your dog. Microscopic identification is also possible. In some cases, the symptoms will clear enough to determine the culprit and select appropriate treatment. In other situations, serologic testing is recommended.

Anti-fungi treatment for dogs

Anti-fungi treatment that is recommended for your dog will depend on the fungi that causes the problem, how much the disease has spread, and the general health of your dog. In general, mold infections in dogs were processed locally, for example by using an anti-fungi cream to the affected area, or systemic, such as by giving the dog an anti-fungi medication orally or by injection. In some cases, surgery will be required.

Preventing fungal disease in dogs

Preventing fungal disease in dogs can be complicated, because fungi are found throughout the world. fungi even happen as a natural part of living microscopic flora on our skin. But there are some things a dog owner can do. Because land is the main source of infection for many diseases fungi, you can keep your dog away from the land where the harmful fungi known to happen. fungi cause Blastomycosis in dogs are known to occur in wet and sandy river bank. Keep your dog away from the nest and places where many birds defecate is also a good idea, as these places can contain many fungi spread, including Histoplasomosis. Stains can also be contaminated bat and let your dog run around in the bat cave is not recommended. In the south-western part of the United States, the risk is very high Coccidioimycosis arrest after storm with a lot of rainfall.

Fungi can enter your dog in a variety of different ways, including inhaled, drunk from contaminated stagnation, or ingested through contaminated food. Cuts can also be a point of entry for the fungi.