dermatologic disorders
Overview of Dermatophytoses
Introduction
Dermatophytoses are fungal infections of keratin in the skin and nails (nail infection is called tinea unguium or Onychomycosis ). Symptoms and signs vary by site of infection. Diagnosis is by clinical appearance and by examination of skin scrapings on potassium hydroxide wet mount. Treatment varies by site but always involves topical or oral antifungals. Potentially pathogenic fungi include yeasts (single-celled organisms, eg,Candida albicans) and dermatophytes. Dermatophytes are molds (multicellular filaments of organisms) that require keratin for nutrition and must live on stratum corneum, hair, or nails to survive. Human infections are caused byEpidermophyton,Microsporum, andTrichophytonspecies. These infections differ from candidiasis in that they are rarely if ever invasive. Transmission is person-to-person, animal-to-person, and, rarely, soil-to-person. The organism may persist indefinitely. Most people do not develop clinical infection; those who do may have impaired T-cell responses from an alteration in local defenses (eg, from trauma with vascular compromise) or from primary (hereditary) or secondary (eg, diabetes, HIV) immunosuppression. Common dermatophytoses include Tinea Barbae (Barber's Itch) None Tinea Capitis (Scalp Ringworm) None Tinea Corporis (Body Ringworm) None Tinea Cruris (Jock Itch) None Tinea Pedis (Athlete's Foot) None Dermatophytid Reaction None 