[Dermatomycosis--classification, etiology, pathogenesis, and treatment].

Dermatomycoses are common diseases in dermatological clinics. An epidemiological survey in Japan revealed that dermatophytosis was the most prevalent cutaneous fungal infection (89.1%), followed by candidiasis (8.4%) and the Malassezia infections(2.4%). Among dermatophytoses, tinea pedis was the most frequent, then in decreasing order, tinea unguium, tinea corporis, tinea cruris, tinea manuum, and tinea capitis including kerion. Among all dermatophyte infections, Trichophyton rubrum was the most frequently isolated. Among cutaneous candidiasis, intertrigo was the most frequent clinical form, followed by erosio interdigitalis and diaper candidiasis. Dermatomycoses may provoke several inflammatory reactions, but the organisms causing them are located in the keratin layer of the epidermis. Therefore, topical application is the first line therapy for the most dermatomycoses.