Fungal Infections: Symptoms

What are the symptoms of fungal infections?

Symptoms of fungal infections differ depending on the type and severity of the infection, the area of the body affected, and individual factors.

Symptoms of athlete’s foot

Symptoms of athlete’s foot include:

• Itching of the feet

• Scaling and flaking of the skin of the feet

• Thick, yellowish toenails that detach from the nail beds if the fungus infects the toenails

Symptoms of jock itch

Symptoms of jock itch most often occur in men and include:

• Itching of the groin area

• Red, scaly rash in the groin area

Symptoms of ringworm

Symptoms of ringworm include:

• Red, itchy area on the scalp, often in the shape of a ring

• Hair loss in the affected area

Symptoms of fungal infections that affect the mouth

Symptoms of fungal infections that affect the mouth (oral thrush) include:

• Lesions or sores that are raised, are yellow-white in color, and appear in patches in the mouth or throat and/or on the tongue

• Sore, bleeding gums

• Patches or lesions that become sore, raw and painful, making it difficult to eat or swallow

Symptoms of fungal infections that affect the vagina

Symptoms of fungal infections that affect the vagina (vaginal thrush) include:

• Thick, white vaginal discharge that has a texture similar to cottage cheese

• Vaginal irritation

• Vaginal itching

• Burning with urination

Symptoms of fungal infections that affect the digestive tract

Symptoms of fungal infections that affect the digestive tract (fungal gastroenteritis) include:

• Diarrhea

• Nausea

• Vomiting

Recurrent fungal infections can be a symptom of a more serious condition, such as HIV/AIDS or diabetes. It is important to seek prompt medical care for repeated fungal infections, such as repeated vaginal yeast infections or oral thrush.