Trichophyton

From New Latin, from Ancient Greek θρίξ (thríx, “hair”) + φυτόν (phutón, “plant”).

Trichophyton n

1. A taxonomic genus within the family Arthrodermataceae – a type of fungus known for causing skin infections.
   • 2006, , 1 March

     As listed above, in superficial mycoses infection is localised to the skin, the hair, and the nails. An example is "ringworm" or "tinea", an infection of the skin by a dermatophyte. Ringworm refers to the characteristic central clearing that often occurs in dermatophyte infections of the skin. Dermatophyte members of the genera Trycophyton, Microsporum and Epidermophyton are responsible for the disease. Tinea can infect various sites of the body, including the scalp (tinea capitis), the beard (tinea barbae) the foot (tinea pedis: "athlete's foot") and the groin (tinea cruris). All occur in the United Kingdom although tinea infections, other than pedis, are now rare.