Fungal infections are one of those things most people deal with at some point — whether it’s a patch of itchy skin, athlete’s foot, or a discoloured nail that just won’t clear up. They’re annoying, sometimes embarrassing, and can stick around longer than you’d like if you don’t treat them properly.
The good news? Most fungal infections are easily treatable with the right products and a bit of consistency. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the different types of fungal infections, their causes, the symptoms to look out for, and the treatments that work. All the recommended treatments are available right here at Online Pharmacy, your trusted Irish online pharmacy.
What Is a Fungal Infection?
A fungal infection happens when fungi — microscopic organisms like yeasts and moulds — grow excessively on or inside the body. While fungi are naturally present in our environment and even on our skin, they can become problematic when they multiply in the wrong places.
Warm, moist body areas, such as the feet, groin, or under the nails, are particularly vulnerable. Once a fungus takes hold, it can spread easily and cause symptoms like itching, redness, peeling skin, or thickened nails. Fungal infections are not typically serious in healthy individuals but can be persistent, contagious, and uncomfortable.
Causes of Fungal Infections
Several factors increase the risk of developing a fungal infection. Understanding the root cause can help you both treat and prevent future flare-ups.
1. Warm and Moist Conditions
Fungi thrive in warm, damp environments. That’s why they often develop on sweaty feet, underarms, groin areas, or in tight-fitting shoes and clothes that trap moisture.
2. Poor Hygiene and Damp Skin
Not drying the skin properly — especially between the toes or in skin folds — creates the perfect breeding ground for fungi.
3. Walking Barefoot in Public Spaces
Gyms, swimming pools, communal showers, and locker rooms are common places to pick up fungal spores. Even stepping barefoot on a contaminated surface can lead to infection.
4. Wearing Tight or Non-Breathable Footwear
Shoes that don’t allow proper ventilation trap moisture and heat, making feet an ideal environment for fungal growth.
5. Weakened Immune System
People with diabetes, circulatory issues, or weakened immunity are more prone to fungal infections and may take longer to recover.
6. Skin Injuries or Cuts
Small cracks or open skin can give fungi an easy way to invade and start an infection.
Symptoms of Fungal Infections
Symptoms can vary depending on the part of the body affected, but common signs to look out for include:
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Itching or burning sensation
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Red, scaly, or peeling skin
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Circular rashes with a clear center (as seen in ringworm)
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Thickened, yellow, or crumbly nails
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Flaky patches on the skin
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Unpleasant odour (often with foot infections)
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Pain or discomfort during movement
Early treatment is important to prevent the infection from spreading to other areas of the body or other people.
Common Types of Fungal Infections and How to Treat Them
Now let’s break down the most common fungal infections, their symptoms, and the best treatments available — all of which you can find at Online Pharmacy.
1. Athlete’s Foot (Tinea Pedis)
What is it?
Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that affects the skin between the toes and sometimes the soles of the feet. It's especially common among athletes, gym-goers, and anyone who wears tight, sweaty shoes for long periods.
Symptoms:
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Itching, burning, or stinging between the toes
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Cracked, flaky, or scaly skin
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Redness and inflammation
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Odour or peeling skin
Recommended Treatments:
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Lamisil Once: A single-application solution that provides long-lasting protection. Apply once and let it work over several days — no follow-up application needed.
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Lamisil AT Cream: Contains terbinafine, a powerful antifungal. Shortens treatment time compared to some other creams — often just one week of daily use.
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Canesten Anti-Fungal Cream: A reliable option containing clotrimazole, effective in stopping fungal growth and easing itching.
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Daktarin Cream: Contains miconazole, which treats both fungal and bacterial infections. Apply twice daily for best results.
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Daktarin Powder: Helps keep feet dry while also killing fungus. Ideal for use in shoes and socks.
2. Ringworm (Tinea Corporis) and Other Fungal Skin Infections
What is it?
Ringworm is a fungal skin infection, not caused by a worm as the name suggests. It usually appears as a circular, red, and itchy rash with a clear center. Other skin infections in this category include tinea cruris (jock itch) and tinea versicolor (common in warm climates).
Symptoms:
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Ring-shaped rash with raised, scaly edges
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Itching and irritation
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Red, inflamed patches of skin
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Slight burning in some cases
Recommended Treatments:
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Canesten Cream: Effective against ringworm and other fungal skin infections. Apply 2–3 times a day for at least 2 weeks.
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Daktarin Cream: Works well on moist skin areas like underarms or groin, where fungal and bacterial infections often occur together.
3. Fungal Nail Infections (Onychomycosis)
What is it?
Fungal nail infections can affect both fingernails and toenails, but are more common in the feet. They often begin as white or yellow spots under the tip of the nail and spread deeper, leading to thickened, brittle, or crumbling nails.
Symptoms:
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Discoloured (yellow, brown, or white) nails
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Thickened or distorted nail shape
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Cracking or crumbling edges
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Nail separating from the nail bed
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Mild pain or pressure when wearing shoes
Recommended Treatments:
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Curanail Nail Lacquer: Contains amorolfine, which penetrates the nail and targets the fungus. Apply once a week after filing and cleaning the nail.
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Naloc Nail Treatment: Helps improve nail appearance and treat the infection. Daily use is required for several weeks to months, depending on the severity.
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Scholl Fungal Nail Pen: Includes a file and targeted application tip for ease of use. Great for mild cases or early-stage infections.
Nail infections take time to resolve, and results may take several months. Consistency is key, and many treatments must continue even after symptoms start to improve.
Prevention Tips
Once you’ve treated a fungal infection, it’s important to keep it from coming back. Here are some easy prevention steps:
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Keep your skin dry, especially between your toes and in skin folds
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Change socks daily and wear breathable footwear
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Avoid walking barefoot in public showers or locker rooms
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Don’t share personal items like towels, shoes, or nail clippers
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Wash your hands after touching infected areas
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Continue using antifungal products for the full course, even if symptoms improve early
Final Thoughts
Fungal infections are unpleasant, but they’re also very manageable when treated early and properly. Whether you're dealing with athlete’s foot, ringworm, or a stubborn nail infection, you’ll find fast, proven relief with trusted products from OnlinePharmacy.ie.
As an Irish online pharmacy, we offer a wide range of antifungal creams, powders, solutions, and nail treatments, with discreet delivery straight to your door anywhere in Ireland.