Fungal infections: how to spot, treat and stop them

Fungal infections are common, annoying, and usually treatable. They show up on skin, nails, or mucous membranes and can be caused by yeast or dermatophytes. You can often fix mild cases with home care and over-the-counter medicine, but some infections need a prescription. This guide helps you recognize signs, pick first steps, and know when professional help is needed.

Look for a few clear signs. Athlete’s foot often causes itching, peeling, and sore skin between toes. Ringworm looks like a round, red, scaly patch with a clearer center. Vaginal yeast infections usually bring itching, burning, and a thick white discharge. Nail fungus often makes nails thick, discolored, or crumbly. If symptoms are sudden, painful, or spreading fast, treat that as a red flag.

Quick self-care and OTC treatments

Start with simple, practical steps. Keep the area clean and dry—fungus loves damp skin. Use breathable socks and change them daily. Don’t share towels, shoes, or nail tools. For many skin infections, apply an over-the-counter antifungal cream containing clotrimazole, miconazole, or terbinafine. Follow the package directions and keep using the cream for the full course even after symptoms fade.

For athlete’s foot, dry thoroughly between toes and use an antifungal powder or cream once or twice daily for at least 2 weeks. Ringworm on the body usually clears in 2–4 weeks with topical azoles. Nail fungus is tougher: topical treatments can help early cases, but nails often need months of treatment and may respond better to prescription pills like terbinafine—ask a doctor. Vaginal yeast infections may be treated with single-dose oral fluconazole or topical antifungal suppositories; choose based on your history and any medication interactions.

When to see a doctor

See a healthcare provider if symptoms don’t improve after a full OTC course, if the infection is on your scalp or nails, if it’s spreading rapidly, or if you have diabetes, a weak immune system, or frequent recurrences. A doctor can confirm the diagnosis with a simple exam, skin scraping, or lab test and prescribe an oral antifungal if needed. Oral drugs can interact with other medicines, so mention all prescriptions you take.

Prevention matters. Keep feet and groin dry, wash hands after touching infected skin, rotate shoes to let them air out, and treat pets if they show similar patches. If you travel or use public showers, wear flip-flops. Good blood sugar control reduces risk for people with diabetes.

If you’re unsure which treatment is safe for you, talk to a pharmacist or clinician. Small steps—drying the skin, starting an OTC antifungal, and watching for progress—solve many cases. For persistent or severe infections, prompt medical care prevents complications and speeds recovery.