Dermatophytes are fungi that can cause infections of the skin, hair, and nails due to their ability to utilize keratin. Once detected, it is critical to start using a toenail fungus treatment in order to minimize the severity of any infection. The organisms colonize the keratin tissues and inflammation is caused by host response to metabolic by-products. These infections are known as ringworm or tinea, in association with the infected body part. Occasionally the organisms do invade the subcutaneous tissues, resulting in kerion development.
The organisms are transmitted by either direct contact with infected host (human or animal) or by direct or indirect contact with infected exfoliated skin or hair in combs, hair brushes, clothing, furniture, theatre seats, caps, bed linens, towels, hotel rugs, and locker room floors.
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