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Common Types of Skin Fungus in Children

High levels of activity and interaction make kids a little more prone to skin fungus infections. These fungal infections are usually harmless, but sometimes can result in itchy and irritating skin infections. A few fungal infections are more common than others, each with its own attributes and symptoms.

  1. Athlete's Foot

    • Athlete's foot is an itchy rash that usually appears between the toes. Left untreated it can sometimes spread under the toenails or to the bottom or sides of the feet. There are four types of athlete's foot: interdigital, when it appears as a rash between the outer toes; ulcerative, when it takes the form of erosions and ulcers from a secondary bacterial infection; moccasin-type, where scales appear on the soles of the feet; and vesicular, when you get an eczema-like rash with small blisters on the instep of the foot due to a reaction from the body's immune system.

    Jock Itch

    • Children can develop jock itch as a result of high temperatures and sweating in the groin area, however, it is more common in boys than girls. The fungus creates an itching sensation in the upper groin region and may spread to the inner thigh, buttocks and lower abdomen. Jock itch looks like a reddish-brown scaly rash and sometimes develops with blisters.

    Ringworm

    • Ringworm develops on the upper body or the hands and feet. It causes red, scaly ring-shaped patches. Unlike most other fungal infections, don't treat ringworm with topical cortisone creams, which can worsen the condition. Playing contact sports, having a suppressed immune system and having a genetic history of ringworm infections are the biggest risk factors.

    Candida

    • Candida, a yeast, shows up around fingernails and toenails or on the soft, moist areas around the various body openings. Diaper rash is a common type of candida seen in babies, as is thrush. As girls get older they still suffer these types of rashes in the forms of yeast infections. Avoid these types of infections by wearing clean, cotton underpants and changing immediately out of wet clothing.

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