Knowra Dermatophytosis Dermatophytosis Dermatophytosis is an infection of skin, hair, or nails caused by fungi that use keratin. Its forms are commonly named for the affected body site, such as tinea pedis or tinea capitis.
Dermatophyte : A fungus that infects keratinized tissues, including skin, hair, and nails. These fungi cause dermatophytosis by growing in keratin-rich tissues.
Trichophyton : A genus of dermatophyte fungi that can infect skin, hair, and nails. Species in this genus cause several common forms of dermatophytosis.
KOH test : A microscopy test that uses potassium hydroxide to reveal fungal elements in skin, hair, or nail samples. It can rapidly support a diagnosis when a lesion resembles other skin disorders.
Candidiasis : An infection caused by yeasts of the genus Candida, affecting skin, mucosa, or other sites. Candida can affect skin and nails, but it is not a dermatophyte.
Keratin : A structural protein abundant in the outer skin layer, hair, and nails. Dermatophytes use keratin as their principal nutrient source.
Microsporum : A genus of dermatophyte fungi that commonly infects skin and hair. Its species are among the causes of scalp and body ringworm.
Fungal culture : A laboratory method that grows fungi from a collected specimen for identification. Culture can identify the dermatophyte when microscopy alone is insufficient.
Tinea versicolor : A superficial skin condition caused by Malassezia yeast, producing patches of altered pigmentation. Despite its tinea name, it is not caused by dermatophytes.
Fungal infection : An illness caused by fungi growing in or on a host. Dermatophytosis is one specific group of fungal infections.
Epidermophyton : A genus of dermatophyte fungi that infects skin and nails but not hair. Its limited tissue range helps distinguish it from other dermatophyte genera.
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