[Dermatomycosis with epidemic proportions: Tinea capitis and onychomycosis].

Superficial fungal infections caused by dermatophytes (dermatophytoses) are the most common skin infections with about 10-15% of the population throughout the world being affected. Up to now the occurrence of fungal infections of the skin has been connected, like ectoparasitic infections with poor hygiene and poor living conditions. During the last decades, however, there has been a dramatic change with a significant increase in mycotic scalp infections as well as fungal nail disease mainly in highly developed countries like the US and those on the European continent.