Overview
Fungal infections of the skin, nails, and mucous membranes are extremely common. They include athlete's foot, ringworm, nail fungus (onychomycosis), and oral or vaginal thrush. They are caused by various fungal organisms that thrive in warm, moist environments.
How common is it?
Fungal infections of the skin and nails are common. Nail infections are particularly common in older adults; diabetes or a weakened immune system can increase risk and affect treatment choices.
Causes and risk factors
Dermatophyte fungi infect skin, hair and nails and can spread through contact with infected people, animals or contaminated surfaces. Candida yeast usually causes thrush when yeast already present on the body overgrows.
Common risk factors
- Warm, moist environments: sweaty feet, skin folds
- Public swimming pools, showers, and changing rooms
- Walking barefoot in contaminated areas
- Immunosuppression (steroids, HIV, chemotherapy)
- Diabetes (higher risk of candida infections)
- Recent antibiotic use (disrupts normal bacterial flora)
- Nail trauma
Symptoms
- Itchy, scaly, ring-shaped rash (ringworm)
- Red, scaly, itchy skin between toes (athlete's foot)
- White patches in the mouth or throat (oral thrush)
- Vaginal itching, soreness, and white discharge (vaginal thrush)
- Thick, discoloured, crumbling nails (nail fungus)
- Skin rash in skin folds: groin, armpits, under breasts
When to see a doctor
See a GP if treatment is not helping, the infection is spreading, or you have diabetes or a weakened immune system. With diabetes, a hot, red, swollen or painful foot needs same-day advice from your foot-care team, GP or urgent care. Severe illness or a rapidly worsening foot needs emergency assessment.
Diagnosis
Skin scraping or nail clippings sent for microscopy and culture confirm the fungus type and guide treatment. Most typical fungal rashes are diagnosed clinically.
Treatments
Topical antifungal creams
Antifungal creams, sprays or powders can treat many skin infections. The product, frequency and course length depend on the infection and medicine. Follow the leaflet or pharmacist's instructions rather than using one schedule for every product.
Oral antifungal medication
Some nail infections can be treated with a medicine applied to the nail; others may need prescription tablets. A clinician may test a nail sample and check for interactions or liver problems before prescribing tablets. Treatment length depends on the medicine and site.
Oral or intravaginal treatments for candida
Vaginal thrush may be treated with an antifungal cream, pessary or oral medicine, depending on individual circumstances. Ask a pharmacist or clinician about interactions and suitability. During pregnancy, seek advice before treatment rather than self-treating with oral fluconazole.
Self-care and lifestyle
- Keep skin dry especially between toes, in skin folds, and the groin area
- Wear flip-flops in public showers and pools
- Change socks daily and wear breathable footwear
- Do not share towels, socks or footwear. Household members who develop symptoms should seek advice about treatment; do not routinely treat everyone without symptoms.
Prevention
Keeping skin and feet dry, not sharing towels or footwear, and wearing footwear in communal showers can reduce the risk of superficial fungal infections. These measures cannot prevent every infection.
Sources for targeted updates
Updated: 24 October 2026. Urgent-care guidance and the specific treatment or self-care statements corrected in this update; further corrections to causes, frequency. This update covers the named sections; a full review of the remaining guide is pending.