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The University of Adelaide Australia

Superficial Mycoses

These are superficial cosmetic fungal infections of the skin or hair shaft. No living tissue is invaded and there is no cellular response from the host. Essentially no pathological changes are elicited. These infections are often so innocuous that patients are often unaware of their condition.

Disease Causative organisms Incidence
Pityriasis versicolor
Seborrhoeic dermatitis 
including Dandruff and
Follicular pityriasis
Malassezia furfur 
(a lipophilic yeast)
Common
Tinea nigra Exophiala werneckii     Rare
White piedra Trichosporon beigelii Common
Black piedra Piedraia hortae   Rare