How do you tell if a rash is fungal or bacterial?
Rick Gutkowski
2025-08-01 16:59:19
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Bacterial infections are treated with antibiotics. Fungal infections require antifungal medications. It's critical not to confuse the two, as antibiotics don’t work against fungi, and misusing them can lead to antibiotic resistance. Common bacterial infection symptoms include: Fever, Swelling or inflammation, Pain or tenderness, Redness at the site of infection. Symptoms of fungal infections may include: Itching or burning, Scaling or cracked skin, Redness or inflammation, Unusual discharge. Your doctor can perform a proper diagnosis—often through lab testing or a physical exam—to determine if your condition is bacterial or fungal. Correct identification ensures that you get the right treatment—antibiotics for bacterial infections, antifungals for fungal ones—and helps prevent complications or recurrence.