Fungal infections of the skin

Cutaneous mycoses (fungal infections) extend deeper into the epidermis, and also include invasive hair and nail diseases. These diseases are restricted to the keratinized layers of the skin, hair, and nails. Unlike the superficial mycoses, host immune responses may be evoked, resulting in pathologic changes expressed in the deeper layers of the skin. The organisms that cause these diseases are called dermatophytes. The resulting diseases are often called ringworm (even though there is no worm involved) or tinea. Cutaneous mycoses are caused by Microsporum, Trichophyton, and Epidermophyton fungi, which together comprise 41 species.
One common disease is the athlete’s foot which most commonly affects men and children before puberty. It is divided in three categories: chronic interdigital athlete’s foot, chronic scaly athlete’s foot, and acute vesicular athlete’s foot.