How contagious are yeast fungi on the skin? | Yeast fungi on the skin

How contagious are yeast fungi on the skin?

Yeast fungi belong in most cases to the natural skin flora of humans, but they can also be transmitted from person to person. The fungus Malassezia furfur, which causes pityriasis versicolor, is practically not contagious. It is found on healthy skin in most people and only leads to an excessive spread on the skin when risk factors exist.

It is basically similar to candidosis of the skin. Although the fungus can be transmitted by skin contact, it is found on healthy skin in almost a third of people anyway. Even a transmission of the fungus is not yet the same as an infection. Candidosis of the skin can only develop if risk factors are present.

• How contagious are yeast fungi?

What can you do to avoid getting infected?

The best way to avoid becoming infected with a yeast fungus is to follow certain behavioral and hygiene measures. If an affected person has just had skin changes due to candidosis, one should not touch them. Furthermore, one should refrain from sharing linen and towels. If you live in a shared household, the laundry should be washed with a disinfectant hygiene rinse according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

How long do yeast fungi remain on the skin?

As a rule, yeast fungi remain on the skin for a lifetime, even after successful therapy. However, this is not serious. As part of the natural skin flora, they are not primarily considered pathological.

If they cause symptoms, the duration of the symptoms depends on various factors, such as the start of therapy, previous illnesses and adherence to therapy. A complete healing can take about 7 to 14 days with a consistently applied therapy. After a successful therapy, however, a fungal disease can reappear.

What are the special features of a yeast fungus on the scalp?

The scalp can be colonized by the yeast fungus Malessezia furfur. This has no disease value at first. However, if the fungus leads to pityriasis versicolor, the scalp must always be treated as well for a successful therapy.

Shampoos containing azole are available for treatment, which can be applied to the entire skin, including the scalp. However, the scalp itself usually shows no symptoms. When the scalp is coated, at most a slight flaking may occur.