Being Human
Related Articles
Another peculiar question asked by many is, can mushrooms grow on humans? It may sound bizarre, but fungi growing on human bodies is not entirely unheard of.
In fact, some species of fungi thrive on dead human skin cells and hair. Mushrooms have been around for millions of years and are known for their unique ability to grow in the most unusual places.
For better or worse, countless fungi exist on and inside our bodies, and their presence often goes unnoticed. But what about the larger mushrooms that live in the forest? Can mushrooms grow on Humans?
Mushrooms, a fungus type, thrive in specific environmental conditions that support their growth. While not all mushrooms grow on human skin, specific species, known as dermatophytes, can grow on your skin with the right conditions.
Unusual Cases: Mushrooms Found On Human Bodies
For centuries, the medical community had believed that mushroom-forming fungi could not possibly grow inside the human body.
Instead, molds and yeasts were considered the primary causes of human disease, including common culprits like Candida and Aspergillus.
However, in 1950, a bizarre case emerged that challenged this long-held belief. A 33-year-old man sought medical attention for a toenail infection caused by fungal overgrowth.
Upon closer examination, doctors discovered that the fungus responsible for his condition was not one of the usual suspects but rather a mushroom-forming species commonly found growing on trees.
This discovery was significant as it marked the first known instance of a mushroom-forming fungus growing inside a human body.
Since then, researchers have documented this phenomenon and nearly 100 cases of infection, some even resulting in unexpected deaths.
How To Prevent Mushroom Growth On Your Skin
Fungal infections are a common problem that can occur on the skin of anyone. However, individuals with weak immune systems are particularly susceptible to mushroom growth on their skin.
These include people suffering from AIDS, Cancer, or those under immune depressant medication.
Moisture is a key factor that contributes to the development of skin mushrooms. To avoid such infections, practicing good hygiene is essential.
And above all, it’s always better to take preventive measures to avoid fungal infections. Here are some preventive tips for you.
- Keep your feet clean and dry. When wearing shoes, choose breathable ones.
- Avoid walking barefoot in gym locker rooms and swimming pools.
- After touching pets or other animals, sanitize your hands, as some infections can spread.
- Take care of your overall cleanliness, including your mouth. It will help prevent infections like candidiasis.
- Consult a veterinarian to check if your pets have ringworms or other skin conditions.
- Trim your toenails and fingernails regularly to keep them short.
What Are Fungal Infections?
Fungal infections, also known as mycosis, are diseases caused by the growth and spread of fungi. While fungal infections are common on the skin or nails, they can also affect various other parts of the body, including the mouth, throat, lungs, and urinary tract.
What Does A Fungal Infection Look Like?
When fungal infections occur on or in the skin, they can appear as red, swollen, or bumpy areas that may resemble a rash or lump under the skin.
On the other hand, toenail or fingernail fungal infections can cause discoloration of the nails, making them appear yellow, brown, or white and thick or cracked.
In addition to this, fungal infections in the mouth or throat can cause a white coating or patches that may lead to discomfort while eating or speaking.
What Does Mushroom Require To Grow?
For mushrooms to grow, they need a suitable substrate or growing medium, organic matter such as wood, decaying plant material, or compost.
Additionally, mushrooms thrive in environments with optimal temperature and humidity levels. Typically, the temperature range should be between 13°C to 24°C, although it may vary depending on the mushroom species.
Adequate moisture is crucial, as mushrooms require high humidity levels to develop properly. Proper air circulation and oxygen availability are also essential for their growth. Please note that the mushrooms in reference here are the large edible ones.
Types Of Fungal Infections
Different fungal infections, ranging from mild to severe, affect different body parts. We have grouped them into three parts;
1. Superficial fungal Infections
These infections will affect your nails, skin, and mucous membranes. They include;
Candidiasis – It’s a superficial fungal infection caused by Candida species, commonly known as yeast. It can affect various body parts, including the mouth, skin, and genital area.
White patches may appear on the tongue and inner cheeks in oral candidiasis. On the skin, candidiasis can lead to red, itchy rashes with satellite lesions.
Onychomycosis – Onychomycosis refers to a fungal infection of the nails, particularly affecting the toenails.
Dermatophyte fungi typically cause it, but it can also be caused by yeast or non-dermatophyte molds. Infected nails may become discolored, thickened, brittle, and crumbly.
Ringworm – despite its name, Ringworm is not due to worms but by dermatophyte fungi. It is a highly contagious fungal infection that can affect the skin, scalp, and nails.
Treatment typically involves topical or oral antifungal medications, along with maintaining good hygiene practices.
Tinea versicolor – Is a fungal infection caused by the Malassezia fungus, which is normally present on the skin but can overgrow under certain conditions.
Tinea versicolor typically presents as small, discolored patches on the skin, ranging from lighter to darker shades than the surrounding skin.
2. Subcutaneous fungal infections
The fungus can also enter beneath your skin through a cut or wound and can cause subcutaneous infections; they include:
Sporotrichosis – It’s caused by the fungus Sporothrix schenckii. It is often characterized by a painless bump or nodule at the entry site, which gradually ulcerates and spreads along the lymphatic channels.
Chromoblastomycosis – Chromoblastomycosis is a chronic subcutaneous fungal infection caused by Fonsecaea, Cladophialophora, and Phialophora species.
The infection usually occurs following traumatic inoculation of fungal spores into the skin. Over time, it leads to wart-like, raised lesions that can become crusted.
Eumycetoma – the formation of painless swelling, abscesses, and sinuses in the subcutaneous tissues characterizes Eumycetoma. It is caused by Madurella, Pseudallescheria, and Exophiala species. The infection typically affects the extremities, particularly the feet.
3. Deep fungal infections
Deep fungal infections are a type of infection that can be found in other parts of your body, such as your lungs, blood, urinary tract, or even your brain.
Histoplasmosis – It is caused by inhaling the fungus spores of Histoplasma capsulatum, commonly found in soil contaminated with bird or bat droppings. It primarily affects the lungs but can also spread to other organs.
Candidal urinary tract infections – The Candida species of fungi cause it and can affect the bladder or kidneys. Symptoms may include pain during urination, frequent urination, and fever.
Coccidioidomycosis – Also known as Valley fever, it’s caused by inhaling the fungal spores of Coccidioides immitis, prevalent in arid regions. Most people with Valley fever have mild or no symptoms, but in some cases, it can cause flu-like symptoms.
Blastomycosis – It’s caused by Blastomyces dermatitidis, a fungus found in soil and decaying wood in certain regions of North America. The symptoms of blastomycosis include fever, cough, chest pain, and skin lesions.
Pneumocystis pneumonia – (PJP) is caused by the fungus Pneumocystis jirovecii and affects immune-compromised individuals. Symptoms include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. Treatment involves antifungal medications and may require hospitalization.
Importance Of Fungus
The importance of fungi in our world cannot be overstated. Often overlooked and underappreciated, fungi play a vital role in numerous aspects of our lives.
- Produces various medicines. Penicillium fungus produces the widely-used antibiotic penicillin, while micafungin is an antifungal agent.
Mycophenolate, derived from fungi, helps prevent tissue rejection, and Aspergillus niger is utilized in synthesizing steroids. These are just the above examples.
2. Improves crop quality and production. Fungi decompose soil organic matter, enhancing its nutritional quality. They also convert nitrogen to plant protein and form mycorrhizae to provide plants with phosphorus and essential minerals.
3. Certain edible fungi, like mushrooms, offer a range of essential nutrients, including vitamins, amino acids, and lipids.
4. Yeast, the most common type of fungi, is used in producing bread and beer.
5. Certain species of the fungus Penicillium help in the production of Roquefort and Camembert cheeses.
6. Some species of fungi are also used in the industrial manufacturing of various enzymes and organic acids.
Conclusion
Can mushrooms grow on humans? While there have been rare cases of mushrooms appearing on human skin, it is not common.
It’s important to understand that mushrooms, as fungi, have specific environmental requirements for their growth.
And the human body does not typically provide the conditions for sustained mushroom growth.
