Living with a skin condition can be frustrating, especially when itchy, scaly patches start to appear. Psoriasis and fungal infections can look a lot alike, and figuring out which one you have is key to getting the right treatment and feeling better. Seeing a doctor early on may keep the condition from getting worse or causing complications.

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease, which means the immune system (your body’s defense system) mistakenly attacks and damages healthy cells and tissues. As a result, thick, scaly patches called plaques show up on different areas of the body, such as the knees, elbows, and scalp. The plaques may flake, itch, burn, or sting.

If these symptoms of psoriasis sound like what you’re experiencing, is it safe to assume you have this chronic skin condition? Not necessarily. Some fungal infections can cause symptoms and rashes that look like psoriasis.

“After being misdiagnosed with athlete’s foot several times, I finally decided to go to a dermatologist,” one MyPsoriasisTeam member said. “She diagnosed me with the same thing at first. So, when I had another flare-up, I took pictures of the stages of the plaques, and she said it was classic psoriasis. She gave me a regimen to do and referred me to a rheumatologist for my arthritis.”

In this article, we’ll look at four fungal infections commonly confused with psoriasis — ringworm, fungal jock itch, athlete’s foot, and Candida.

What Are Psoriasis and Fungal Infections?

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, psoriasis affects approximately 7.5 million people in the United States. This skin condition is chronic — it requires long-term medical care and has no cure — but psoriasis treatments can help manage your symptoms and clear your skin. About 30 percent of people with psoriasis also develop psoriatic arthritis, which can cause severe joint damage.

Besides plaque psoriasis, described above, there are several other types of psoriasis to be aware of. These include:

• Guttate psoriasis — Small, drop-shaped spots, often triggered by infections like strep throat
• Nail psoriasis — Changes in fingernails or toenails, like pitting, thickening, or discoloration
• Inverse psoriasis — Shiny, smooth, discolored patches in body folds, such as under the arms or around the groin
• Pustular psoriasis — Pus-filled bumps, often surrounded by discolored skin
• Erythrodermic psoriasis — Widespread discoloration, peeling, and burning
• Palmoplantar psoriasis — Thick, painful patches on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet

Plaque psoriasis is the most common type, whereas erythrodermic psoriasis is the least common and can be severe.

Psoriasis isn’t contagious. It’s not caused by bacteria, viruses, or other infectious agents, so it can’t be caught or spread through touch.

Is Psoriasis a Fungus?

Psoriasis isn’t a fungus, but it can look a lot like a fungal infection, which is why the two are sometimes confused. As an autoimmune condition, psoriasis is likely caused by a mix of genetics (inherited traits) and environmental factors, such as stress or infections, that disrupt the immune system.

Fungal infections, on the other hand, are caused by fungi, like yeast or mold. These infections can affect the skin, nails, mouth, throat, lungs, and other parts of the body. Unlike psoriasis, some fungal infections are contagious and can spread through skin contact.

Ringworm vs. Psoriasis

Despite its name, ringworm has nothing to do with worms. This fungal infection gets its name from its appearance — typically, a round, ringlike scaly rash surrounded by clearer skin. Other symptoms of ringworm include:

• Discolored bumps (red, purplish, brown, or gray, depending on skin tone) inside the ring
• Round, flat patches of skin
• Itchiness

Ringworm is contagious. The fungi that cause ringworm (or dermatophytosis) are called dermatophytes. They can live on skin, clothes, bedding, bath linens, and other household items and surfaces, and they can spread through direct contact with other humans, as well as animals, objects, and soil.

Ringworm on the body is called tinea corporis, and ringworm on the scalp is tinea capitis. Ringworm can also affect the face, hands, feet, groin, and inner thighs.

A circular rash may strongly indicate that you have ringworm rather than psoriasis, but you’ll need to get an accurate diagnosis. Although topical steroid creams are a common psoriasis treatment, they can make ringworm worse because they weaken the immune system that fights infections.

If you have ringworm, your healthcare provider may recommend an over-the-counter antifungal medication or prescribe a strong topical treatment. Oral antifungal medication may also be prescribed. Unlike psoriasis, ringworm is curable, but you can get infected again.

“When I was first diagnosed, they thought it was ringworm, but it was plaque psoriasis,” said one MyPsoriasisTeam member.

“I went to the doctor, and the skin problem I have now is not psoriasis. It is ringworm again. I seem to get this a lot,” shared another member.

Fungal Jock Itch vs. Psoriasis

Fungal jock itch, medically known as tinea cruris, is a type of ringworm. Jock itch is also contagious and caused by dermatophytes, and it spreads from person to person and from infected towels, clothing, and surfaces.

Jock itch may cause a ring-shaped skin rash, usually with clearly defined borders. Other symptoms include:

• Small bumps or blisters
• Itchy, burning skin
• Cracked skin
• Flaking or peeling skin

According to Cleveland Clinic, men are three times more likely than women to develop jock itch. Risk factors include wearing tight underwear or pants that trap heat and moisture in the groin area. Jock itch rarely affects the genitals but is commonly found on the inner thighs, groin, and buttocks.

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Inverse Psoriasis vs. Jock Itch

Jock itch and inverse psoriasis, , in particular, are commonly mistaken for each other because both affect the groin area and cause similar symptoms. Inverse psoriasis can also affect the armpits, skin under the breasts, belly button, and anywhere there are skin folds. Like jock itch, inverse psoriasis can cause itching and cracked skin.

One difference between the two skin conditions is that jock itch sometimes causes the telltale round rash of ringworm. Jock itch is also more likely to cause scaly or flaky skin, while inverse psoriasis tends to cause shiny or smooth skin or colored lesions that vary by skin tone.

If you have symptoms of skin disease, make an appointment with your healthcare provider. Jock itch is often treated by applying an antifungal cream or lotion to the affected area.

Treatment options for inverse psoriasis include:

• Corticosteroid creams
• Topical immunomodulators
• Phototherapy (light therapy)
• Biologics (a type of medication that is made from living organisms)

A biopsy (skin scraping) may be needed to confirm the diagnosis.

“I am living with psoriasis on my hands, scalp, elbows, and forearms, and inverse psoriasis on my armpits and groin,” one MyPsoriasisTeam member said.

“I have inverse psoriasis on my groin,” said another member. “If I bathe, put on powder, use itch cream, and change underwear halfway through the night, the bleeding in the groin skin folds is manageable.”

Athlete’s Foot vs. Psoriasis

Athlete’s foot, or tinea pedis, is a type of ringworm that develops on the feet. Common symptoms include:

• An itchy, scaly rash
• Blisters
• Dry or cracked skin
• Burning or stinging
• Inflammation and discoloration (red or purple, depending on skin tone)

Like jock itch, athlete’s foot occurs when dermatophytes have the opportunity to grow in warm, damp places, such as sweaty socks and shoes. Athlete’s foot can spread through contaminated floors, towels, clothing, and skin-to-skin contact. Unlike psoriasis, athlete’s foot is contagious. It’s also possible to transfer athlete’s foot from one part of your body to another.

Athlete’s foot can be mistaken for palmoplantar psoriasis, a type of plaque psoriasis that affects the feet or hands and may cause itching, scaling, and plaques. Although palmoplantar psoriasis typically affects the soles of the feet, athlete’s foot tends to start between the toes. If you notice issues with your toenails, like pitting, discoloration, or thickening, you might have psoriatic nail disease. Fungus can also infect the nails, leading to thickening and discoloration.

Treating palmoplantar psoriasis can be difficult. Biologics are usually the first option. Psoriatic nail disease (nail psoriasis) may be treated with corticosteroids, phototherapy, and other common psoriasis treatments. For athlete’s foot, your doctor may recommend a topical antifungal, an oral antifungal, or both. Getting an accurate diagnosis is essential.

“I had a dermoscopy last week that proved that I have palmoplantar psoriasis,” said one MyPsoriasisTeam member. “It was misdiagnosed 10 years ago as tinea pedis, or athlete’s foot.”

Candida vs. Psoriasis

Candida albicans, or candida, is a fungus that normally lives in small amounts in the mouth, skin, and intestines. It’s a type of yeast, and when it grows out of control, it can cause yeast infections like diaper rash and thrush. Candida skin infection symptoms include blisters, itching, and rash.

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Some studies suggest that, in addition to causing symptoms similar to psoriasis, candida infections are more likely to develop in people with psoriasis. Other studies have shown that multiple interleukin-17 inhibitors, which are a type of biologic used to treat psoriasis, may raise the risk of candidiasis. Despite the possible connection between the two conditions, having one doesn’t guarantee you’ll develop the other.

Your healthcare provider will likely treat candidiasis with a topical anti-yeast cream or an oral anti-yeast medication. Psoriasis treatments often include topical creams and ointments, phototherapy, and oral medications.

“After having several doctors tell me I had a yeast infection, I found one who agreed that it was inverse psoriasis,” one MyPsoriasisTeam member said. “So far, all I need is a topical cream.”

The Importance of an Accurate Diagnosis

Although psoriasis and fungal infections can be mistaken for each other, they can also occur simultaneously. In a study of 289 people with psoriasis, nearly 16 percent also had a fungal infection. Getting an accurate diagnosis is essential so you know if you’re dealing with one or both. A diagnosis also matters because:

• If you have a contagious fungal infection, you should take precautions to protect your friends and family.
• Some psoriasis treatments that weaken the immune system can worsen fungal infections caused by ringworm.
• Knowing which condition you have will help you and your doctor choose effective treatment options.

Although psoriasis or a fungal infection may have similar symptoms, other health conditions or autoimmune diseases like atopic dermatitis, the most common form of eczema, can also cause skin issues. Be sure to consult with a dermatologist to get an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment for optimal skin health.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyPsoriasisTeam is the social network for people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis and their loved ones. On MyPsoriasisTeam, more than 133,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

Were you misdiagnosed with a fungal infection? Have you had psoriasis and a fungal infection at the same time? Share your experience in the comments below, or start a conversation by posting on your Activities page.