Definition
The inguinal region extends from the usually well palpable anterior upper projection of the iliac spines to the genital area. Here, an infection, i.e. a strong multiplication and colonization, by fungi can occur. A so-called mycosis of the skin can also be called inguinal fungus.
Depending on the type of pathogen, such a fungal infection of the groin is also called “tinea inguinalis” or “intertriginous candidiasis”. Frequently, the skin changes spread to adjacent areas in the course of the disease. So the buttocks or genital region can be affected in the following.
Causes
There are different fungi that can infect the human body. In general, these fungi are in fact a normal part of our skin flora. The fact that they multiply, spread and cause complaints depends mostly on various risk factors.
Fungi are a part of the body, but spreading beyond the skin barrier should be prevented. Therefore, our immune system constantly fights their growth. If a person’s immune system is weak (e.g. in the context of a pre-existing underlying disease), this favors the reproduction of fungi.
Furthermore, the best conditions for fungal growth are in a humid and warm climate. Frequent and heavy sweating therefore creates a favorable environment for fungal growth. There may also be a genetic predisposition for an increased risk of developing a fungal infection.
Associated symptoms
A fungal infection is most noticeable by the skin changes in the affected area. An inflammation develops. This spreads from a center in all directions.
Since it heals quickly from the center, the fungal infested foci look like red rings. The inflammatory redness is often accompanied by itching. In addition, a border-emphasized scaling is often visible.
The skin between the skin folds, which are usually kept moist by sweat, also tends to swell or soften. This favors the penetration of the fungi into deeper skin layers. If an additional infection by bacteria occurs during the infestation of deeper skin layers, the formation of a painful abscess can also occur.
Itching is a typical symptom of a fungal infection. Itching is often the first sign when redness or scaling of the skin is not yet visible. It is important to take care not to scratch the skin.
If the skin is scratched, it is further damaged and the fungus can penetrate into deeper skin layers. The healing is thus not only delayed, but the clinical picture can become even worse. The redness of the skin usually indicates an inflammation.
The inflammation is the visible and tangible sign that the body is fighting against pathogens. An infection with fungi also leads to an inflammation, which includes reddening of the skin. The typical thing here is that the redness spreads from a center to the outside.
However, since the pathogens have already been successfully combated in the first affected center, healing occurs here. What remains is the circular outer area where the inflammation still persists. Skin areas attacked by the fungus therefore often look like red rings.
In the case of a large-area massive infestation, the spread to the outside is noticeable, whereby the outermost edge is reddened and more central areas already begin to subside. Pain is initially not a typical symptom of a fungal infection. Here, itching is more in the foreground.
However, if the deeper skin layers are affected, the penetration of other pathogens is favored. For example, if bacteria penetrate deep into the skin and cause an additional bacterial infection, this can lead to suppuration and severe pain. A fungal infection in the groin can lead to swelling of the groin lymph nodes.
The swelling is a sign that the immune system has been activated. Along the lymph vessels, the cells of the immune system are first transported to the site of infection. Then, further cells of the immune system are activated in the lymph nodes.
These reactions lead to swelling of the lymph nodes and also to pain. However, the lymph nodes in the groin also swell up in all other infections or injuries of the lower extremities (from the feet to the groin). Lymph node swelling alone does not speak for a fungal infection without the typical skin symptoms.
The sore skin in the area of a fungal infection can also wet. This is because the inflammation, which the body uses to defend itself against the fungal infection, causes the vessels to be dilated. This allows defence cells to reach the site of the inflammation more quickly.However, liquid can also escape from the vessels more easily. Then the wound “wets”.
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