Overview of dermatophytoses (ringworm, tinea)

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Dermatophytoses are fungal infections of the skin and nails caused by several different fungi and classified by the location on the body. Dermatophyte infections are also called ringworm or tinea.

Symptoms of dermatophytoses include rashes, scaling, and itching.
Doctors usually examine the affected area and view a skin or nail sample under a microscope or sometimes do a culture.
Antifungal drugs applied directly to the affected areas or taken by mouth usually cure the infection.

(See also Overview of Fungal Skin Infections.)
Dermatophyte infections are sometimes called ringworm or tinea. Despite the name, a ringworm infection does not involve worms. The name arose because of the ring-shaped skin patches created by the infection.
Dermatophytes are molds (a type of fungi) that need the protein keratin for nutrition. Keratin is the structural material that makes up the outer layer of human skin. It is also the main structural material of hair and nails. To survive, dermatophytes must live on skin, hair, or nails (a nail infection is called tinea unguium or onychomycosis).
Infection may occur almost anywhere on the skin, including the

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