How did I get tinea?
One of every five persons gets a fungus infection at some time. You can get a fungus infection by touching a person who has one. Some kinds of fungus live on damp surfaces, like the floors in public showers or locker rooms. You can easily pick up a fungus there. You can even catch a fungus infection from one of your pets. Dogs and cats, as well as farm animals, can be infected with a fungus. Often this infection looks like a patch of skin where fur is missing. 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 a
