Very often superficial fungal infection is misdiagnosed as eczema and vice versa. Different fungal infection of the skin presents differently and treatment depends on the type of fungal infection. An understanding of the classification of fungal infection of the skin is essential. However, recognition of the condition is important so that early treatment can be instituted and irreversible complications averted. In this paper only superficial fungal infections will be discussed.
Dermatophytosis is probably the most common superficial fungal infection of the skin.
It is caused by a group of fungi which are capable of metabolising the keratin of human epidermis, nails or hair. It is rare for true dermatophytes to penetrate into the dermis or deeper body layers and when dermatophytes infections present with dermal and subcutaneous reaction concomittent infection with other organisms, particularly bacteria must be considered. There are 3 genera of dermatophytes causing dermatophytosis viz. Microsporum, Trichophyton and Epidermophyton. Establishment of dermatophyte infection of the skin depends on 2 factors viz.