Mycotic infections - Effective management of conditions involving the skin, hair, and nails

Superficial mycotic infections of the skin, hair, or nails are recurring pr esentations in the geriatric primary care setting. The most common infectio ns are those caused by dermatophytes. The genus Trichophyton gives rise to most of the tinea dermatophytoses, including tinea capitis, tinea pedis, an d tinea unguium (onychomycosis). Part of the diagnostic challenge lies in d istinguishing the mycotic lesions from those caused by cutaneous diseases s uch as psoriasis, eczema, dyshidrosis, and contact dermatitis. Because envi ronmental conditions play a major role in fungal infection onset, clinical management should include patient education about conditions conducive to f ungal propagation. Oral agents are the primary mode of treatment for fungal infections of the scalp and nails, whereas topical treatments are frontlin e agents for other superficial skin conditions.