types of mycoses
superficial mycoses
in superficial mycoses infection is localised to the skin, the hair, and the nails. an example is "ringworm" or "tinea", an infection of the skin by a dermatophyte. ringworm refers to the characteristic central clearing that often occurs in dermatophyte infections of the skin. dermatophyte members of the genera trycophyton, microsporum and epidermophyton are responsible for the disease. tinea can infect various sites of the body, including the scalp (tinea capitis), the beard (tinea barbae) the foot (tinea pedis: "athlete s foot") and the groin (tinea cruris). all occur in the united kingdom although tinea infections, other than pedis, are now rare.
candida albicans is a yeast causing candidiasis or "thrush" in humans. as a superficial mycoses, candidiasis typically infects the mouth or vagina. c. albicans is part of the normal flora of the vagina and gastrointestinal tract and is termed a "commensal". however, during times of ill health or impaired immunity the balance can alter and the organism multiplies to cause disease. antibiotic treatment can also alter the normal bacterial flora allowing c. albicans to flourish.