Fungi that infect the skin live only in the dead, topmost layer and don't penetrate deeper. Some fungal infections cause no symptoms or produce only a small amount of irritation, scaling and redness. Other fungal infections cause itching, swelling, blisters and severe scaling. Fungi usually make their homes in moist areas of the body where skin surfaces meet: between the toes, in the groin and under the breasts. Obese people are more likely to get these infections because they have excessive skin folds. Strangely, fungal infections on one part of the body can cause rashes on other parts of the body that aren't infected. For example, a fungal infection on the foot may cause an itchy, bumpy rash on the fingers. These eruptions represent allergic reactions to the fungus.
We learn from the passage that fungal infections ____.
hardly ever produce an allergic reaction
never present a serious problem and are easily treated
only present a problem if they get under the surface of the skin
spread quickly from one part of the body to another
are frequently to be found in parts of the body that tend to be damp
It is clear from the passage that there is considerable variety ___.
in the symptoms resulting from fungal infections
in the length of treatment required for fungal infections
in the type and degree of swelling caused by well-established fungal infections
in the frequency with which obese people are infected by fungi
in the degree of irritation once the fungi have penetrated the skin
As is pointed out in the passage, one rather unusual characteristic of fungal infections is that _____.
they can penetrate deep under the skin
the groin is invariably the site where they first appear
they are to be found either between the toes or between the fingers, but never in both areas
they can produce eruptions in sites other than the infected area of the body
they present no symptoms other than a bumpy rash
As we understand from the passage, overweight people ___.
have more allergic reactions than do others
tend to suffer from severe scaling in all parts of the body
are more susceptible to fungal infections than are those of normal weight
rarely get fungal infections except under the breasts
are advised to keep their skin as dry as possible at all times