Differentiating fungal infection & melanoma - Dr. Madhu SM
Channel: Amara Skin Clinic
Date: 2017-12-17

FUNGAL INFECTIONS:
Fungal infections of the skin are very common and they include various infections like ringworm infections and yeast infections, athletes foot, jock itch.

Basically fungal infections spread from other humans or animals. They are more common in tropical areas, subtropical areas and they are more common in monsoon season.

On the skin it can occur on the scalp area, it can occur on the face area, in the beard area. On the beard area it is called as the barber’s itch, on the groin area. It can occur in between the toes. They are called as ringworm infections because the central area appears clear and the borders are usually well defined or they are generally scaly.

The most common fungal infection, which is known as tinea cruris, which occurs in the groin area. It is called as dhobis itch jock itch or. Itchy rashes in the upper inner aspects of the thigh, which may spread on to the genitalia, buttocks, and abdomen.

Fungal infections are more common in obese individuals, in diabetics. In pregnant women, it is more common in people taking broad spectrum antibiotics or oral contraceptive pills.

For investigating fungal infections, we do skin scraping. We take scraping from under the skin and then examine under the microscope to see if there is any growth of fungi. We also do a culture and biopsy to rule out fungal infections and appropriate antifungal treatment is needed for the management of fungal infections.

MELANOMA:
Melanoma is basically a cancer that arises from thee pigment cells or the melanocytes in the skin. Melanoma is more common in whites than in Asians or Indians or in blacks.

Generally melanoma can be more dangerous than in the other forms of skin cancers because it can spread to the other parts of the body and can be life threatening o]r fatal. So it is very essential to diagnose melanoma in the early stages and the treatment of melanoma.

Melanoma usually they resembles moles or the birth marks or 10 to 30% they develop form the existing birth marks. So if you have a birth mark you have to see or look for warning signs. This is called as the ABCDE criteria. A , that is if your birth mark is asymmetrical, that is if you draw a line through the centre of the birth marks or the mole, of the two halves are asymmetrical, it is better to go consult a doctor. B, the border, generally the non cancerous moles have smooth even border whereas the melanoma or the cancerous  mole, they have uneven borders, C for the colour. Common moles or the non-cancerous moles, they have one colour whereas melanoma  has variety of colours like brown, blue , black, it can be pale also or red. So if you have different colours in your mole, it is better to go get it surgically removed. D is the diameter. So generally the non-cancerous moles are smaller than the melanoma. E for evolution. So you have to see for any change in the traits of your mole like change in the skin colour or the skin texture or any surface changes or any bleeding, crusting, oozing of liquid or pain in the lesions, then you should go and consult your doctor.

So if there are any of these changes, then it is better to get a biopsy done and surgically remove it as soon as possible to avoid any further complication.

Book an appointment at Amara to talk to an expert about fungal skin infections, skin cancer and melanoma - https://www.practo.com/bangalore/doctor/madhu-s-m-dermatologist-cosmetologist