How do you know if you have a fungal skin infection or if it's just eczema?

It can be tricky.: There is overlap between the appearance and symptoms of eczema & fungal infections. Both can be red, scaly and itchy. Mild eczema responds well to moisturizers & Hydrocortisone cream. This treatment can actually worsen some fungal infections. Fungal infections respond well to antifungal creams. If your rash is not improving, see your dermatologist. A simple non-invasive skin test can sort it out.

Culture : It is often difficult to determine if you have a fungal skin infection if you have a known history of eczema. The best course of action is a culture or skin scraping.