<unk>  is a form of dermatophytosis (fungal infection of the skin), caused by dermatophytes, fungi (most of which are mold) which inhabit dead layers of skin and digest keratin. Dermatophytes are anthropophilic, meaning these parasitic fungi prefer human hosts.<unk>  is most commonly caused by the molds known as Trichophyton rubrum and T. mentagrophytes, but may also be caused by Epidermophyton floccosum. Most cases of<unk>  in the general population are caused by T. rubrum; however, the majority of<unk>  cases in<unk> s are caused by T. mentagrophytes. Transmission According to the UK's National Health Service,<unk> ’s foot is very contagious and can be spread through direct and indirect contact." The disease may spread to others directly when they touch the infection. People can contract the disease indirectly by coming into contact with contaminated items (clothes, towels, etc.) or surfaces (such as bathroom, shower, or locker room floors). The fungi that cause<unk>  can easily spread to one's environment. Fungi rub off of fingers and bare feet, but also travel on the dead skin cells that continually fall off the body.<unk>  fungi and infested skin particles and flakes may spread to socks, shoes, clothes, to other people, pets (via petting), bed sheets, bathtubs, showers, sinks, counters, towels, rugs, floors, and carpets. When the fungus has spread to pets, it can subsequently spread to the hands and fingers of people who pet them. If a pet frequently gnaws upon itself, it might not be fleas it is reacting to, it may be the insatiable itch of tinea. One way to contract<unk>  is to get a fungal infection somewhere else on the body first. The fungi causing<unk>  may spread from other areas of the body to the feet, usually by touching or scratching the affected area, thereby getting the fungus on the fingers, and then touching or scratching the feet. While the fungus remains the same, the name of the condition changes based on where on the body the infection is located. For example, the infection is known as tinea corporis ("ringworm") when the torso or limbs are affected or tinea cruris (jock itch or dhobi itch) when the groin is affected. Clothes (or shoes), body heat, and sweat can keep the skin warm and moist, just the environment the fungus needs to thrive. Risk factors Besides being exposed to any of the modes of transmission presented above, there are additional risk factors that increase one's chance of contracting<unk> . Persons who have had<unk>  before are more likely to become infected than those who have not. Adults are more likely to catch<unk>  than children. Men have a higher chance of getting<unk>  than women. People with diabetes or weakened immune systems are more susceptible to the disease. HIV/AIDS hampers the immune system and increases the risk of acquiring<unk> . Hyperhidrosis (abnormally increased sweating) increases the risk of infection and makes treatment more difficult.
Athlete's foot
Pitted keratolysis
Trench foot
Heel stick wound
Daniel Sickles's leg
Butcher's wart
Bednar's aphthae
Diabetic sock