Posts Tagged ‘fungus’
Seborrheic dermatitis is an inflammatory skin disease where scaling of the skin occurs. Seborrheic dermatitis is not usually a dry skin condition as the skin is producing its normal oil (sebum). However the appearance of skin scaling often leaves sufferers to believe that the condition occurs due to excessively dry skin or a lack of sebum.
There are two main types of fungi (singular ~ fungus) that affect the human skin :
- Dermatophytes (also called molds)
- Skin yeasts (also called thrush or candida)
Both types of fungi (mold-like and yeast link fungi) are not threatening to human skin unless there is damage or irritation of the area or the health of the skin cannot be maintained due to poor circulation, lowered immunity or use of toxic chemicals.
A skin fungus can occur on any part of the body but it is prevalent in areas that are covered (dark), warm and moist.
A skin fungus is an infection of the skin by a fungus, a microorganism that usually consumes dead material. The outer skin is made up of dead skin cells that form a barrier to the outside environment. This barrier is usually able to maintain its own health but if damaged (especially by breaks or a cut in the skin), it can be prine to infections from microoganisms like bacteria or fungi.