Obviously, fungal infections are caused by contamination with fungi. Spores are the reproductive form of fungus; you can compare it with the seeds of a plant. Spores are very resistant towards external influences and therefore, they can live on - almost invisibly - while their growth form has disappeared completely. Furthermore, fungi as such are not contagious, but spores can be transmitted from one person to another and cause a fungal infection in the latter.
Thus, treatment should also aim to wipe out spores completely; otherwise the disease may flare up again after a while or may contaminate other people.
Usually, fungi and fungal yeasts are not dangerous. Problems only occur when our resistance is weakened. In humans and animals, fungi grasp the opportunity when the skin is broken or our resistance is weakened due to illness or medication.
Fungal infections of the skin
How do fungi get into your skin? Very easily. A fungal infection produces spores. The infected skin flakes off and these flakes contain spores. If you come into contact with these flakes and your skin is not in the best condition, these spores may cause a new fungal infection.
You can pick up a fungal infection on your foot by walking in a humid environment where a lot of people walk around barefooted, e.g. a swimming pool, shower area, sauna, etc… This is the reason why this type of skin infection is called "athlete’s foot" or "swimmers eczema": it mostly occurs in people doing sports.
Another possible source of skin infection are the flakes of pets. You may not notice that an animal has a fungal infection but it may well infect you. Those fungal infections that children get in their necks are often caused by cuddling guinea pigs or another pet animal. People who spend a lot of time around horses may get fungal infections in their faces from brushing.
Fungal infections of the mouth and oesophagus
Fungi and fungal yeast often belong to the normal flora of the mouth and oesophagus, which means that they grow silently and in balance with other microorganisms, like bacteria, on the mucous membranes without doing any harm.
Problems only occur when our resistance is low. This could occur after a bout of bad flu, chemotherapy, a treatment with immuno-suppressant medication, e.g. after a transplant. Often, a fungal infection in the mouth is the first sign of the onset of AIDS, the disease which affects your immune system. In conclusion, a fungal infection is often an added problem for people already suffering health problems.
Apart from these more serious conditions, people with false teeth are also susceptible to fungal infections. If the mucous membrane of the mouth is taxed, the fungus stands more of a chance to strike, which is why people with false teeth often have oral thrush. The fungus can even be in the false teeth itself and infect your mouth repeatedly.
Thrush is also quite common among babies. Babies often get infected with Candida in the birth channel but also by people’s hands. Because a baby's immune system is not that well developed, Candida is able to strike more effectively.
Fungal infections of the vagina
The most common reason for fungal infection of the vagina is 'imbalance' in the vaginal flora. For no apparent reason, one of the bacteria that were always present in the mucosa without doing any harm, increases in number, and dominates the other microorganisms, causing an imbalance. This chiefly concerns the so-called 'cocci', spherical bacteria. The mucous membrane of the vagina normally self-protects by maintaining a slightly acidic pH. It could be that an imbalance occurs due to a sudden decrease in acidity, or because we use too much soap when we wash ourselves. We are yet to discover why this happens. What we do know is that soap makes the environment less acidic and that sperm decrease acidity in the vagina. An IUD or coil device increases the chances of more bacteria.
Athlete’s foot
Athlete's foot (the medical term is tinea pedis) is not something that only athletes can get. It is, in fact, a very common fungal infection which generally occurs between your toes and is extremely contagious. You can get athlete's foot just by using a communal changing room or even sharing a towel. If left untreated the condition can spread to the soles and sides of the foot and to the toenails. Athlete's foot may be further complicated by a bacterial infection, accompanied by an unpleasant smell.
Signs and symptoms often include:
- Cracking and peeling of skin between the toes
- Inflammation
- Areas of white, dead skin
- Moistness or blistering
- Itching or soreness
You should treat athlete's foot as soon as you notice the first signs of infection. The skin often becomes inflamed and itchy with areas of 'dead skin', moistness or blistering and cracking or peeling. It is important to treat the infected area quickly and thoroughly. There is range of anti-fungal sprays, creams and powders that can be used to treat athlete's foot.
Even if you've got rid of your athlete's foot, it is very easy to re-infect yourself. It is important to remember that the fungi that cause athlete's foot thrive in warm, moist conditions. Therefore, it is important to dry thoroughly after bathing, particularly between your toes. The fungi can live in your shoes, socks and on your towels if you don't change them regularly enough. You should wear good quality cotton socks that allow your feet to breathe and make sure you wash them at 60°C to destroy fungal spores. Antifungal spray powder can also be sprayed onto your feet, socks and in your shoes to help prevent re-infection.
Infections of the internal organs
Lung and systemic fungal infections are mostly caused by Aspergillus fungi. Spores of Aspergillus occur frequently in our environment and infections can be life threatening; particularly for people with diminished immunologic defence.
Large concentrations of these fungal spores can be found on construction and demolition sites and in cellars, humid stables, bird shelters and grain storage areas. The fungus also occurs in furniture covers, wallpaper, cane furniture, compost and household dust.
Aspergillus infections are seen as professional risks. In addition to pigeon flyers and farmers, the infection can also affect beer brewers (working with grain), furniture makers and construction workers. Among farmers the disease is no longer rampant as hay is no longer left in the open air but stored airtight under plastic.
A notorious nidus of infection was the air-conditioning of hospitals where renovation work was being carried out. Many patients who had just been operated on or had had chemotherapy to treat cancer ended up with an Aspergillus infection.
