Skin infections Fungal disease of the skin/the superficial mycoses/infections

The stratum corneum is an excellent barrier to pathogenic micro-organisms, but is itself sometimes the target of attack. The skin surface and its adnexal structures harbour a stable microflora, which lives in symbiosis with skin and may indeed be beneficial. Gram-positive cocci (Staphylococcus epidermidis), Gram-positive lipophilic microaerophilic rods (Propionibacterium acnes) and a Gram-positive yeast-like organism (Pityrosporum ovale or Malassezia furfur) live in the follicular lumina without normally causing much in the way of harm. However, under special conditions, e.g. excess sebum secretion, depressed immunity and compromised stratum corneum barrier protection, they can produce disease. Infection of the skin only occurs when the skin encounters a pathogen that its defences cannot eliminate or control.