Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 13, 2026

Deep Dermal Injection As a Model of Candida albicans Skin Infection for Histological Analyses
10:45

Deep Dermal Injection As a Model of Candida albicans Skin Infection for Histological Analyses

Published on: June 13, 2018

11.2K

Superficial Fungal Infections in Children-What Do We Know?

Katarzyna Rychlik1,2, Julia Sternicka-Rohde1, Roman J Nowicki1,2

  • 1Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-214 Gdańsk, Poland.

Journal of Clinical Medicine
|October 29, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Superficial fungal infections like athlete's foot and onychomycosis are common in children, influenced by hygiene and immune status. This review covers pediatric epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of these skin, hair, and nail fungal conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Mycology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Superficial fungal infections affect skin, hair, and nails, caused by dermatophytes, yeasts, and molds.
  • Risk factors include humid climates, immunodeficiency, diabetes, and poor socioeconomic conditions.
  • Children are especially vulnerable due to immature immune systems.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current epidemiological trends of superficial fungal infections in children.
  • To explore diagnostic practices for pediatric fungal infections.
  • To discuss available treatment options for superficial mycoses in pediatric populations.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of epidemiological data.
  • Analysis of diagnostic approaches for pediatric fungal infections.
  • Synthesis of current treatment strategies for superficial mycoses.

Main Results:

  • Scalp mycoses commonly caused by Trichophyton and Microsporum species.
  • Onychomycosis, though rare in young children, is increasingly linked to atopy and immune disorders.
  • Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes are frequent pathogens in pediatric onychomycosis.

Conclusions:

  • Superficial fungal infections pose a significant challenge in pediatric populations.
  • Accurate diagnosis and tailored treatment are crucial for effective management.
  • Preventive measures focusing on hygiene and risk factor management are essential to reduce recurrence.
Keywords:
childrendermatologydermatophytefungimycosespediatricsuperficial fungal infections

More Related Videos

An Ex vivo Assay to Study Candida albicans Hyphal Morphogenesis in the Gastrointestinal Tract07:42

An Ex vivo Assay to Study Candida albicans Hyphal Morphogenesis in the Gastrointestinal Tract

Published on: July 1, 2020

5.8K
Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus MRSA12:18

Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus MRSA

Published on: February 9, 2011

23.6K

Related Concept Videos

Skin Diseases and Disorders01:23

Skin Diseases and Disorders

Skin is the first line of defense and encounters a variety of microbes. Some pathogenic strains are often the cause of a broad range of infections of the skin and other body systems. These conditions can affect people of all ages and may have different causes, including genetic factors, infections, autoimmune reactions, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices.
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
5.1K
Fungal Phylum Microsporidia01:28

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia

Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...
413
Fungal Group Zygomycota01:29

Fungal Group Zygomycota

Zygomycota, previously classified as a distinct fungal group, are primarily terrestrial, saprophytic molds that play a crucial role as decomposers. Recent phylogenetic studies have revealed that these fungi are now divided into two major clades — Mucoromycota, which includes many symbiotic species, and Zoopagomycota, which primarily consists of parasitic and pathogenic fungi. These groups exhibit distinct ecological roles and reproductive strategies while sharing key structural and...
974
Fungal Phylum Ascomycota01:28

Fungal Phylum Ascomycota

Phylum Ascomycota, a major division within the subkingdom Dikarya, comprises a diverse range of fungal species, including both unicellular yeasts and filamentous molds such as Aspergillus and Penicillium. These fungi thrive in a variety of habitats, from aquatic ecosystems to terrestrial environments, playing crucial ecological and economic roles.Morphology and ReproductionThe defining characteristic of Ascomycetes, commonly referred to as sac fungi, is the ascus—a sac-like structure that...
1.0K
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion01:26

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion

In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...
207
Fungal Phylum Basidiomycota01:26

Fungal Phylum Basidiomycota

Basidiomycota is a diverse phylum of fungi that includes ecologically significant decomposers such as white rot fungi, symbionts like mycorrhizal fungi, plant pathogens such as rusts and smuts, and edible species like Agaricus bisporus (the common button mushroom). These fungi play crucial roles in nutrient cycling, symbiotic relationships, and even human health. Their defining feature is the basidium, a microscopic club-shaped structure responsible for producing basidiospores.Fruiting Bodies...
855