Dermatophytosis

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Dermatophytosis
Classification and external resources
Tinea capitis
ICD-10 B35.0-B36.
ICD-9 110
DiseasesDB 17492
eMedicine emerg/592 
MeSH D003881

Dermatophytosis are a group of mycosis infections of the skin caused by parasitic fungi (dermatophytes).

[edit] Presentations

Infections on the body may give rise to typical enlarging raised red rings of ringworm, infection on the skin of the feet may cause athlete's foot and in the groin jock itch. Involvement of the nails is termed onychomycosis, and they may thicken, discolour, and finally crumble and fall off.

They are common in most adult people, with up to 20 percent of the population having one of these infections at any given moment.[citation needed]

Dermatophytosis tends to get worse during summer, with symptoms alleviating during the winter.[citation needed]

[edit] Types

A number of different species of fungi are involved. Dermatophytes of the genera Trichophyton and Microsporum are the most common causative agents. These fungi attack various parts of the body and lead to the following conditions: