Mycosis refers to an infection of living tissue with a fungus. The fungal infection can be, for example, yeast or even mold. These can infect either the skin, fingernails and toenails or also various organs via the bloodstream. Mycoses can thus turn out either harmless and well treatable or in the worst case life-threatening, depending on which fungus attacks which area of the body.
What is a mycosis?
By mycosis, physicians mean living tissue that is infected by a fungus. In the process, the host (which can be a human or even an animal or plant) becomes infected with spores of the respective fungal species. These settle in the body and multiply, causing damage to the affected tissue or even the entire organism. Experts distinguish between superficial and systemic mycoses. The former refer to infections of the skin, mucous membrane or nails. The latter involve infestation of the bloodstream and as a result of various organs. While superficial mycoses are usually easily treated with medication, systemic mycoses are potentially fatal and require rapid medical therapy.
Causes
The causes of mycosis are infection with a fungus. In most cases, spores of the particular fungal species invade the host’s tissues. The spores are parts of the fungus that are capable of growth and spread in the host. Mycosis in the true sense of the word is only spoken of when this spreading has occurred and brings with it damage to the tissue and corresponding symptoms. In some cases, the host organism manages to resist the spread of the fungi; this is called an inapparent infection. Infection with a fungus can occur in several ways. Among them, person-to-person infection is possible (this is especially the case with skin and mucosal mycoses).
Symptoms, complaints and signs
Systemic mycosis can take a severe course and in the last consequence lead to the death of the patient. The systemic form initially causes an increasing fever, which may be associated with a feeling of illness as well as chills, sweating, and cardiovascular disturbances. Accompanying symptoms may include coughing and shortness of breath. However, the main symptom is the skin changes. The affected person first notices an infestation of the skin and nails, occasionally the intimate area and face are also involved. The fungus spreads rapidly and causes itching, reddening of the skin and pain as it progresses. After a few days, the skin begins to flake, which usually intensifies the itching. Extensive skin lesions are also typical. These can become inflamed and in individual cases cause bleeding or eczema. In a severe course, scars remain, which represent a psychological burden for the sufferer, as they mainly appear on visible areas such as arms, legs and hands. Eventually, the disease leads to respiratory and circulatory failure, from which the patient eventually dies. Early treatment prevents the fungus from spreading. The skin lesions resolve after a few days to weeks, with no late effects or complications.
Diagnosis and course
In most cases, mycosis is diagnosed by the attending physician with the help of a sample taken from the affected tissue. Cultivation (cultivation) of the pathogen is then carried out from this sample in order to determine it unambiguously. Since this method can be quite lengthy, treatment of the infection is often started at the same time. The physician decides which therapy to use based on his or her experience. In addition, a microscopic examination of an infected tissue sample can be performed to confirm the diagnosis. Systemic mycoses basically carry the risk of leading to the death of the host through the infestation of certain organs. Medical treatment is therefore urgently required.
Complications
In the worst case, mycosis can also lead to the death of the patient. However, this case usually occurs only if no treatment is given for the disease or if treatment is initiated very late. In most cases, those affected suffer from fungal diseases, which can occur in various parts of the body. Affected are mainly the nails and the skin.It is not uncommon for this to result in severe itching and scaly skin. Those affected feel uncomfortable due to the complaint and are not infrequently ashamed of the symptoms. This can lead to depression or other psychological complaints and inferiority complexes. As a rule, the patient’s quality of life is significantly limited and reduced by mycosis. Treatment of this disease can be done with the help of medications and usually leads to a quick success. No particular complications occur if the mycosis has not affected the internal organs. The patient’s life expectancy is also not limited if the treatment is successful. Proper hygiene can help prevent fungal diseases. Even after successful treatment, the affected person can usually get the same disease again.
When should you go to the doctor?
When fever, chills, cardiovascular disturbances and other signs of systemic mycosis are noticed, medical advice is needed. The infectious disease is a serious condition that can be fatal if left untreated. Therefore, a doctor should be consulted at the latest when the characteristic skin changes appear. Infestation of the skin, nails, intimate areas and face must be examined and treated by a dermatologist. Extensive skin lichens indicate advanced systemic mycosis – a doctor must be consulted immediately. Regular visits to the doctor are indicated during treatment so that any medications can be regularly adjusted to the rapidly changing symptoms and complaints. If severe itching and other complications occur, the doctor must also be informed. Accompanying treatment of the physical symptoms, the patient should seek therapeutic treatment to counteract any psychological symptoms. Systemic mycosis is treated by the family physician, the dermatologist and, if necessary, also by physicians for internal diseases.
Treatment and therapy
Once the attending physician has diagnosed mycosis, he or she will initiate appropriate therapy based on the samples taken and his or her experience. The exact type of treatment will be determined by which area of the body is affected and which fungus is involved. If the skin of the host is affected, antifungals (antifungal agents) can be prescribed in ointment form, which are applied to the respective part of the body. If the mucous membranes are affected, ointments are also used, but also pastilles or suppositories (depending on which mucous membrane is affected). Systemic mycoses are also treated with antimycotics; however, in most cases these are administered intravenously so that they can act directly in the bloodstream of the host. Here, potential side effects must be weighed against the benefits of treatment to ensure that more severe damage is not caused by administration of the drug. For particularly severe or persistent mycoses, a combination between local and systemic drug treatment is also possible.
Outlook and prognosis
If mycosis is detected and treated early, the prognosis is relatively good. Patients do require treatment, but if therapy is successful, they can live a symptom-free life. The therapy has no long-term consequences for the body and psyche, but can cause short-term discomfort, which is sometimes a considerable burden. Only treatment with very strong drugs can cause permanent organ damage and other physical complaints that permanently reduce the quality of life and possibly also impair life expectancy. The prognosis is also poor if the mycosis is already far advanced. An aggressive therapy, which is accompanied by various side effects, is often the last treatment option. The prognosis is accordingly negative. In contrast, the prognosis for vaginal mycosis, which becomes a chronic disease in five to eight percent of cases, is relatively positive. Constant administration of medication can alleviate the symptoms and preserve the quality of life. Therapeutic treatment by means of antimycotics is carried out gently by means of creams or ointments. Side effects usually do not occur. In the case of systemic mycoses, intravenous treatment is necessary, which sometimes causes accompanying symptoms such as inflammation.
Prevention
In many cases, mycosis cannot be prevented directly because it often occurs indirectly through human dander. However, the risk of certain fungal infections, such as those of the genital organs, can be significantly reduced by not changing partners frequently. If mycosis is suspected, a doctor should be consulted in any case. Thus, a spread of the infection and also an infection of other people in the environment can be avoided.
Aftercare
Aftercare for mycosis depends on the type and localization of the disease. In the case of small-surface and superficial mycoses, aftercare measures are usually not necessary. This is especially true in the case of mycosis pedis and fungal skin infections that are not widespread and are treated quickly. Here, with proper therapy, it can be assumed that the fungal infection has been eliminated. Exceptions are patients who are more susceptible to mycosis due to skin conditions or immune deficiency. As a precaution, these patients can also go for a follow-up examination after therapy to detect any residual fungal infection. Superficial mycoses often develop in weakened individuals and with damaged skin. So part of the aftercare should be to keep the (repeatedly) affected skin areas healthy. In addition, attention should be paid to dryness and good nutrient intake. This keeps the skin healthy and makes it less likely for spores to nest because of the dryness. This is especially true for areas between the toes and the genital region. In the case of systemic mycoses, however, follow-up examinations are essential. Any residues and resurgent infections must be detected quickly by careful examination. Prophylactic therapy with antifungal agents beyond the period of treatment is conceivable.
What you can do yourself
Treatment of mycosis is usually protracted and associated with various accompanying symptoms. Sufferers can help the fungal infection heal by maintaining strict personal hygiene and following the doctor’s instructions. In consultation with the doctor, various homeopathic remedies can be used. For example, ointments or suppositories with the active ingredients arnica or belladonna have proven effective. Naturopathy also offers various remedies to alleviate the rash with calendula ointment and essential oils. Which measures can be applied in detail should be decided together with the responsible medical practitioner. Basically helpful is a strengthening of the immune system. This can be achieved through moderate exercise and sufficient sleep. If stress is also avoided, the mycosis often heals without complications. However, should further complaints develop, a specialist clinic must be consulted. If the pain increases, a professionally guided pain therapy is advisable. Since the fungal infection often also causes mental suffering, a therapist can be consulted to accompany the treatment. Patients should contact their physician for this purpose, who can establish appropriate contacts. In the case of systemic mycosis, treatment in hospital is necessary. Affected individuals should take appropriate precautions and inform the appropriate physician of any unusual symptoms.