Compare and contrast dermatophytosis and pityriasis

What will be an ideal response?


Both are noninvasive fungal infections of the epidermis. Both can be treated by topical applications of antifungals in all but the most severe cases.
Fungi called dermatophytes feed on the protein keratin, which is found in abundance in the outer layers of the skin and in hair and nails. These are all nonliving structures on the body, so the infections do not damage living tissue. The inflammatory response to the fungus may result in some generally mild damage to the tissue, which resolves when the infection is cleared.
The fungus responsible for pityriasis, Malassezia furfur, feeds on the oily secretions of the skin and generally causes no damage to the skin. Occasionally in chronic infections, the fungus interferes with the melanin production of the epidermis, producing irregular pigmentation patterns, but the damage is cosmetic. Pigmentation will return to normal some months after the fungal infection is cleared.

Biology & Microbiology

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