Classification
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 conditions listed below. Note that the Latin names are for the conditions (disease patterns), not the agents that cause them. The disease patterns below identify the type of fungus that causes them only in the cases listed:
- Dermatophytosis
- Tinea pedis (athlete's foot) affects the feet
- Tinea unguium affects the fingernails and toenails
- Tinea corporis affects the arms, legs, and trunk
- Tinea cruris (jock itch) affects the groin area
- Tinea manuum affects the hands and palm area
- Tinea capitis affects the scalp
- Tinea barbae affects facial hair
- Tinea faciei (face fungus) affects the face
- Other superficial mycoses (not classic ringworm, since not caused by dermatophytes)
- Tinea versicolor caused by Malassezia furfur
- Tinea nigra caused by Hortaea werneckii
Read more about this topic: Dermatophytosis