There’s quite a bit of medical jargon around fungal skin disorders and things can get a bit confusing. Here’s a guide to some of the common terms used to describe fungal infections, plus some other skin disorders too. As ever, there’s no substitute to talking to your doctor for any questions you may have.
Athlete’s foot (tinea pedis)
Common skin infection caused by a fungus called Trichophyton, which infects the upper layer of the skin around the toes and on the feet.
Candida
A genus of yeasts with many species capable of causing disease in humans.
Candida albicans
Most common member of the candida genus, causing a number of infections in humans, such as thrush and nappy rash.
Candidiasis
Fungal infection (mycosis) of any of the candida species, of which candida albicans is the most common. Encompasses infections that range from superficial, such as oral thrush and vaginitis, to systemic and potentially life-threatening diseases.
Clotrimazole
Antifungal ingredient in many treatments, that absorbs into the skin and acts to damage the cell membranes of fungi, leading to its destruction.
Dermatophytes
Common label for a group of three types of fungus - Microsporum, Epidermophyton and Trichophyton - that commonly cause skin infections.
Dermatitis
Blanket term meaning ‘inflammation of the skin’.
Eczema
A particular type of inflammatory reaction of the skin, usually causing itching and burning. Also called atopic dermatitis, it is a very common skin problem.
Hydrocortisone
A glucocorticosteroid that helps to relieve inflammation, itching and general pain from skin irritations.
Jock itch (tinea cruris)
A superficial fungal infection of the crotch and perineum.
Miconazole
Antifungal ingredient in some treatments, that damages the cell membranes of fungi, leading to their destruction.
Mycosis
Condition in which fungi pass the resistance barriers of the body and establish infections.
Nappy rash
Slightly raised pink-to-red rash with a number of causes, such as a yeast infection or bacteria infection, usually in moist areas such as the groin. It is most common in infants, but can also occur on the skin of older children and adults. Also known as diaper dermatitis.
Psoriasis
A reddish, scaly rash often located over the surfaces of the elbows, knees, scalp, and around or in the ears, navel, genitals or buttocks. Psoriasis is a very common autoimmune disease that is mediated by T lymphocytes.
Rash
A change in the color and texture of skin. Can refer to many different skin conditions and can be caused, directly or indirectly, by a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection, as well as by other issues.
Ringworm
Common name for a fungal infection of the skin sometimes thought to be due to a parasite (worm). Actually has nothing to do with a worm at all. The medical term for ringworm is tinea.
Thrush
Yeast infection of the mouth and throat, characterised by patches of white, caused by the fungus candida albicans. Overgrowth of candida albicans can also occur in the gastrointestinal tract, skin, and other areas of the body.
Tinea
A skin infection caused by a fungus, sometimes characterised by round lesions in the upper layers of the skin (therefore often inaccurately nicknamed ‘ringworm’). Types of tinea include athlete’s foot (tinea pedis), jock itch (tinea cruris) and fungal scalp infection (tinea capitis).
Tinea capitis
A superficial fungus infection of the skin, affecting the scalp. Also known as ringworm. This disorder occurs most commonly in children, especially those in late childhood and adolescence.
Tinea cruris
See ‘jock itch’
Tinea pedis
See ‘athlete’s foot’
Vaginal yeast infection (Vaginitis)
Infection of the vagina caused by a fungus known as candida, characterised by itching, burning, soreness, pain during intercourse and/or urination, and vaginal discharge.
Yeast infection
Overgrowth of yeast that affects the skin (yeast rash), mouth (thrush), digestive tract, oesophagus, vagina (vaginitis), and other parts of the body.
Dual action
Hydrozole
1. eases the inflammation
Hydrocortisone acts to relieve the inflammation caused by a fungal infection, to reduce the redness, ease the irritation and stop that maddening itch.
2. tackles the infection
Clotrimazole is the antifungal ingredient that fights the infection itself by getting rid of the fungi and stopping it spreading any further.
