Looking Fit: Ultraviolet Radiation and Fungus

Fungus is everywhere. It is in the air we breathe and on the surface of almost everything we touch. It is on the food we eat and the clothes we wear. It is on our skin and in our hair. Why do some people seem to always have fungal infections, while others never suffer from them?What is a Fungal Infection?

Michael Caswell, Ph. D.

The most common fungal infection is dandruff, which most commonly is observed as excess flaking from the scalp. White flecks of dead skin can be seen in hair or on the shoulder of the sufferer.

Usually, these flakes of skin are the only indication of the fungal infection. In severe cases, other symptoms such as itching or burning may occur. The organism causing dandruff is P. olvale, and scientists know that P. ovale is found in scalps suffering from dandruff. Drugs that inhibit the growth of P. ovale decrease dandruff. Reinfection of a patient with P. ovale causes the dandruff to return. However, a medicated shampoo found in local drug stores can be very effective in controlling dandruff.

Fungal infections not only occur on the scalp, but also in almost every other part of the body. Common names and technical names exist for fungal infections in several specific areas. The condition necessary for the successful growth of fungus is damp skin or hair.

For many people, this means the folds of the body, such as between the toes or in the groin area. A fungal infection between the toes or on any part of the foot is called "athlete's foot" or tinea pedis. A fungal infection in the groin area is called "jock itch" or tinea cruris. Men suffer from tinea cruris much more than women, probably because their groin area is much more moist.

Ultraviolet Radiation and Fungus

The skin contains a number of systems for handling environmental insults. In addition, the skin contains its own system to detoxify pollutants and its own system to defend itself against foreign bodies. This latter system, the immune system, is known to be decreased by exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

This information has been very useful to me personally. Recently, after cleaning a particularly robust stand of bushes and weeds, I quickly discovered that some of the weeds were poison oak. A red rash, itching and blisters quickly developed. I exposed my skin for 20 minutes to ultraviolet radiation, specifically to decrease my immune system. The reaction to the poison oak decreased, along with the redness, itching and blisters.

The immune system in your skin helps fight off fungal infections, so when the skin is exposed to ultraviolet radiation and the immune system is decreased, it is logical to expect a slight increase in fungal infections. However, to my knowledge, no one has ever conducted a scientific study to look for this increase.

Tinea Versicolor

Tinea versicolor is a superficial fungal infection of the stratum corneum caused by Pityrosporum obiculare, also known as Malassezia furfur. The two distinguishing characteristics of this fungal infection are discrete scaly patches of skin about the size of a nickel, and the discoloration or depigmentation of the skin. The infection gained its name, versicolor, because it will generate scales having a light tan color and depigmentation will occur at the infection site. The infected client will present the condition based on either the loss of pigmentation or the development of a small patch of dry skin.

Tinea versicolor is easy to treat successfully, but almost impossible to totally cure. Several drugs can be used to treat the infection, including selenium sulfide (2.5 percent), clotrimazole (1 percent), miconazole (2 percent), tolnaftate (1 percent) and keratolytic agents such as salicylic acid. If a female client has an antifungal cream for vaginal yeast infections in her medicine cabinet, she also might find excellent results using the cream.

The person who contracts tinea versicolor will never eradicate the organism. However, once the infection is under control, it can be restricted by treatments every other week.

Fungal Infections and the Salon

As a salon owner, you should expect to see a few of your customers complain of fungal infections and blame the salon's lack of cleanliness. The client will come in after about three or four weeks of tanning and complain of a skin problem. After examining the skin and listening to your client, you may know immediately that they have a fungal infection.

The cleanliness of your salon has little, if anything, to do with a fungal infection. As stated before, fungus is present everywhere. A client just as easily could have become infected with the fungus by their clothes or even the air. However, the client does not know this, so it will be your job to explain fungal infections to them.

Once you suspect that a fungal infection is the problem of a tanning customer, there are several alternatives. First, you can explain that you suspect they have a fungal infection and the possible causes are UV exposure and moist skin. Second, you can explain that you suspect a fungal infection and the possible solution is the antifungal product you sell in your salon. Third, you can explain that you suspect a fungal infection and the possible solution is the antifungal product prescribed by a dermatologist.

In each of the three scenarios, you appear as a knowledgeable salon owner. You also show knowledge as a skincare expert and concern for the client's well-being. However, in the second scenario, you not only maintain a good relationship with the client, but also make a sale.

Unless salon owners know how to respond to a complaint in a positive manner, fungal infections can be a source of disappointment between the salon and the client. Knowledge of the causes of the infection and some possible treatments can increase your status as your customer's skincare expert.