fungal infection of the hair. Tinea barbae is due to a dermatophytic infection around the bearded area of men. Generally, the infection occurs as a follicular inflammation, or as a cutaneous granulomatous lesion, i.e. a chronic inflammatory reaction. It is one of the causes of folliculitis. It is most common among agricultural workers, as the transmission is more common from animal-to-human than human-to-human. The most common causes are Trichophyton mentagrophytes and T. verrucosum. Tinea imbricata (overlapping pattern) Tinea imbricata (also known as "Tokelau") is a superficial fungal infection of the skin limited to southwest Polynesia, Melanesia, Southeast Asia, India, and Central America. It is associated with Trichophyton concentricum. Tinea nigra (black) Tinea nigra (also known as "superficial phaeohyphomycosis," and "Tinea nigra palmaris et plantaris") is a superficial fungal infection that causes dark brown to black painless patches on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. Tinea versicolor (various colors) Tinea versicolor (also known as dermatomycosis furfuracea, pityriasis versicolor, and tinea flava) is a condition characterized by a skin eruption on the trunk and proximal extremities, hypopigmentation macule in area of sun induced pigmentation. During the winter the pigment becomes reddish brown. Recent research has shown that the majority of tinea versicolor is caused by the Malassezia globosa fungus, although Malassezia furfur is responsible for a small number of cases. These yeasts are normally found on the human skin and only become troublesome under certain circumstances, such as a warm and humid environment, although the exact conditions that cause initiation of the disease process are poorly understood. Treatment include [griseofulivin], topical selenium shampoo and topical ketoconazole. The condition pityriasis versicolor was first identified in 1846. Versicolor comes from the Latin, from to turn + color. Tinea incognito (disguised) Tinea incognito is a fungal infection (mycosis) of the skin caused by the presence of a topical immunosuppressive agent. The usual agent is a topical corticosteroid (topical steroid). As the skin fungal infection has lost some of the characteristic features due to suppression of inflammation, it may have a poorly defined border, skin atrophy, telangiectasia, and florid growth. Occasionally, secondary infection with bacteria occurs with concurrent pustules and impetigo. References External links Animal fungal diseases Skin physiology de:Tinea fr:Teigne ru:Микозы wa:Tegne