Infections with yeasts

The bran fungus lichen occurs naturally in the hair follicles. The spread of the disease depends on heat and humidity and occurs in Europe with an incidence (new disease rate) of 0.5% to 5%. For comparison, the incidence of this disease in the tropics is about 60%.

The bran fungus belongs to the group of yeast fungi, just like the trigger of candidiasis. One form of the disease presents with slight itching. The change of the skin is reddish-brown and sharply defined and is about the size of a cent piece.

The surface can be smooth or scaly. The skin changes occur very frequently in the chest and shoulder area. Another form of the disease leads to depigmentation of the skin after exposure to UV light.

In severely immunocompromised patients, a third form of the disease can also occur. Small papules develop that itch when they tear. In the area of the affected areas there are many spores of the fungus.

This finding is groundbreaking in the diagnosis of the disease. Azoles are also used in the therapy of fungal treatments. An alternative is selenium disulfide.

It is also important in the treatment of this disease that the hair is washed at least twice a week, because the pathogen is located in the hair roots. This is the only way to prevent further spread. In the case of very pronounced forms of fungal infestation, a systemic therapy can also be considered. Much extensive information on this topic can be found at: Pityriasis versicolor

Infections with cryptococcosis

The trigger of cryptococcosis also belongs to the group of yeast fungi and lives naturally in the intestinal tract of birds. Since birds have a much higher body temperature than humans, namely 41° to 44° Celsius, they keep the fungus under control in this way. The fungus is transmitted mainly by pigeon droppings.

With this illness, two types of infestation are distinguished: On the one hand, there is the systemic form, which affects the entire body and can spread via the lymphatic system and blood vessels. The internal organs can also be affected. On the other hand, there is a form of this disease that attacks the skin.

In this case injuries of the skin are formed, which resemble an abscess. Cryptococcosis occurs mainly in patients with a severely weakened immune system, for example, in patients suffering from an infection with the HI virus. In people with an intact immune system, this disease occurs extremely rarely.

To make a diagnosis, it may be sufficient to take a smear of the focus of the infection under a microscope. Another possibility, as with all other fungal diseases, is to cultivate the pathogen. Cryptococcosis is usually treated with an anti-fungal infusion (antimycotic). For this purpose, the patient is given a venous access through which the medication can enter. The drugs used here are usually Amphotericin B and Fluconazole.