Epidemiology of superficial fungal infections.

Fungal infections of the skin, hair, and nails are common worldwide, and their incidence continues to increase. The principal causative agents are dermatophytes, and their geographic distribution is variable. This is reflected in the differing patterns of dermatophytoses seen in different parts of the world. The epidemiology of dermatophyte infection has changed as a result of migration, lifestyle, drug therapy, and socioeconomic conditions. This contribution discusses global patterns of dermatophyte infection and the changing epidemiology of the causative agents.