Mycosis and frequency therapy

**Encyclopaedia entry: Mycosis** **Definition:** Mycosis is an infection caused by fungi. These infections can affect the skin, nails, mucous membranes or internal organs and vary in severity from superficial skin infections to severe systemic diseases. **Types of mycoses:** - **Superficial mycoses:** Affect the skin, hair and nails. Examples are athlete's foot (tinea pedis), nail fungus (onychomycosis) and skin fungus (tinea corporis). - **Mucosal mycoses:** Affect the mucous membranes, such as oral thrush (oral candidiasis) and vaginal fungal infections. - **Systemic mycoses:** Serious infections that affect internal organs, often in immunocompromised individuals. Examples include aspergillosis and cryptococcosis. **Causes:** Mycoses are caused by various types of fungi, including dermatophytes, yeasts (such as Candida) and moulds. Infection can occur through direct contact with infected persons, animals or contaminated surfaces. **Risk factors:** - Weakened immune system, e.g. due to HIV/AIDS, chemotherapy or immunosuppressive drugs. - Diabetes mellitus and other metabolic disorders Diabetes mellitus and other metabolic diseases. - Damp or warm environments that favour fungal growth. - Poor hygiene or tight, air-impermeable clothing. **Symptoms:** - Itching, redness and scaling of the skin. - Thickened, discoloured or brittle nails. - White, blotchy coatings White, blotchy coatings on the tongue or in the mouth. - Vaginal itching and discharge in vaginal mycoses. - In systemic mycoses: fever, cough, breathing difficulties and a general feeling of illness. **Diagnosis:** - Clinical examination and medical history. - Microscopic examination of the skin and culture Microscopic examination and culture of skin, nail or mucous membrane samples. - Blood tests and imaging procedures for suspected systemic mycoses. **Treatment:** - **Topical antimycotics:** Creams, ointments or solutions for the treatment of superficial mycoses. - **Oral antifungals:** Tablets or capsules to treat severe or widespread infections. - **Intravenous antifungals:** For severe systemic mycoses. **Prevention:** - Good hygiene practices, such as regular hand washing and thorough drying of the skin. - Wear breathable clothing and shoes. - Avoid sharing personal items Avoid sharing personal items such as towels or nail care tools. **What you need to know:** - Mycoses are common worldwide and can affect people of all ages. - Some fungal infections, such as athlete's foot, are particularly common in communal areas such as swimming pools or gyms. **Research:** Research is focussed on developing new antifungal agents, improving diagnostic methods and understanding the mechanisms that lead to fungal resistance.