Dermatophytosis
4 medicines
Dermatophytosis, commonly called ringworm, athlete's foot, jock itch, or nail fungus depending on location, is a fungal skin infection caused by dermatophytes. Topical or oral antifungals clear most cases.
Key facts
- Dermatophytosis, also known as tinea, is a group of fungal skin infections caused by dermatophytes, moulds that feed on keratin in skin, hair, and nails.
- Depending on the site affected it's commonly called ringworm, athlete's foot, jock itch, or nail fungus; heat, humidity, and skin-to-skin contact all help it spread.
- It shows up as ring-shaped, scaly, intensely itchy patches; scalp infection can cause patchy hair loss, and nail infection causes thickening and crumbling that is slow to resolve.
- Topical antifungals such as miconazole treat most skin infections; scalp, nail, or widespread disease usually needs an oral antifungal such as griseofulvin.
Why it spreads so easily
Heat and humidity create ideal conditions for dermatophyte growth. Crowded communal spaces, shared changing rooms, swimming pools, and dormitories let the fungus pass from person to person through direct skin contact or contaminated surfaces. Athlete's foot (tinea pedis) is especially common in people who wear enclosed shoes for long hours in warm weather.
How dermatophytosis presents
Infections show as ring-shaped or scaly patches that expand outward with a clearer centre. The edges are often raised, red, and intensely itchy. On the scalp (tinea capitis), hair can break off near the root, leaving bald patches. Nail infections (tinea unguium) cause thickening, yellowing, and crumbling of the nail plate and are among the slowest infections to resolve.
Antifungal treatment options
Most skin-surface infections respond well to topical antifungals. Miconazole is a widely used imidazole that disrupts fungal cell membranes and clears many tinea infections within a few weeks. Scalp or nail infections, and widespread or persistent skin infections, generally need an oral antifungal: griseofulvin has a long track record for scalp ringworm. You can browse the full antifungals range or explore options under skin care.
Treatment duration matters as much as drug choice: stopping early is the most common reason infections return.
This page is educational and does not replace advice from a doctor or pharmacist who knows your health history.