What areas of the body are affected by tinea infections?
Fungus infections are named for the part of the body they infect. Tinea corporis is a fungus infection of the skin on the body (corporis is the Latin word for body). If you have this infection, you may see small, red spots that grow into large rings almost anywhere on your arms, legs or chest. Tinea pedis is usually called “athlete’s foot.” (Pedis is a Latin word for foot.) The moist skin between your toes is a perfect place for a fungus to grow. The skin can become itchy and red, with a white, wet surface. The infection may spread to the toenails (this is called tinea unguium–unguium comes from the Latin word for nail). Here it causes the toenails to become thick and crumbly. It can also spread to your hands and fingernails. When a fungus grows in the moist, warm area of the groin, the rash is called tinea cruris. (Cruris comes from the Latin for leg.) The common name for this infection is “jock itch.” Tinea cruris often occurs in men, especially if they often wear athletic equipment
