fungi

Fungi are living organisms like moulds, yeasts, and mushrooms; some fungi can act as pathogens and cause diseases in humans.

• What makes fungi different: They are not plants or animals. They do not make their own food like plants; instead, they absorb nutrients from the material they grow on.
• Where they grow well: Fungi usually grow best in warm, moist places—like sweaty skin, between toes, or in damp clothes and shoes.
• Common fungal diseases: Many are skin infections such as ringworm and athlete’s foot. They can cause itching, redness, scaling, or circular patches on the skin.
• How they spread: Some fungal infections spread through direct contact (skin-to-skin) or by sharing towels, combs, socks, shoes, or by walking barefoot on damp floors (like near pools).
• Helpful fungi too: Not all fungi are harmful—yeast helps bread rise, and some fungi are used to make foods and medicines.
• Why this matters for health: Simple habits like keeping skin dry, changing sweaty clothes, and not sharing personal items can reduce many fungal infections.