In: Biology
Write an introduction about cutaneous mycoses.
CUTANEOUS MYCOSES:-Cutaneous mycosis is a pathogenic fungal infection. It is common as environmental and physiological conditions contribute too much for the development of this disease. Cutaneous means skin and mycosis means fungal infection. It affects the keratinized layers of the skin and its appendages like nails, hairs.
A group of cutaneous mycosis is called tineas which are caused by dermatophytes.
1. Mycosis which causes infections of the epidermis, hair, nails are called cutaneous mycosis.
2. Mycosis which penetrates into the dermis and epidermis to infect the deeper tissues are called subcutaneous mycosis.
3. Mycosis which spread throughout the body are called systemic mycosis.
These fungal moulds require keratin , for growth which is a protein that is found only in the skin, hair, nails. Inhalation of fungal spores may initiate this infection. Dermatophytes have three genera:-Trichophyton, Epidermophyton, Microsporum.
Example:-Tinea versicular, a fungal infection which commonly affects the young people's skin mainly cheek, back, and on upper arms and legs. It produces spots on the skin which are lighter than skin colour or reddish-brown .