Common viral and fungal skin infections

Abstract

Skin infections account for a significant portion of dermatologic diseases, often resulting in, or as a consequence of a disruption in the skin's integrity. This paper covers the presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of the more common viral and fungal skin infections. The viral infections presented in this paper include herpes simplex virus, herpes zoster, condyloma acuminata, and molluscum contagiosum. The fungal infections presented include tinea pedis, tinea cruris, tinea capitis, tinea unguium, tinea versicolor, and candidiasis. Once a diagnosis is made, treatment with appropriate antifungal, antiviral, destructive, or immune modifying therapies can be instituted.