Superficial mycoses predominantly infect which tissues?

Superficial mycoses predominantly infect which tissues?

• A. Bacteria infect deep tissues
• B. Viruses infect nerves
• C. Superficial tissues: skin, hair, nails
• D. Parasites only infect the GI tract

Answer: (C)

Superficial mycoses are fungal infections that stay on the outer, keratin-rich surfaces of the body. They primarily involve the epidermis and its appendages—skin, hair, and nails—because these tissues provide keratin that the fungi feed on and colonize without invading deeper structures. This localization explains why these infections are confined to superficial layers and present as conditions affecting skin, hair, and nails. The other options describe infections by other types of organisms or by deeper tissues, which isn’t characteristic of superficial mycoses.

Superficial mycoses are fungal infections that stay on the outer, keratin-rich surfaces of the body. They primarily involve the epidermis and its appendages—skin, hair, and nails—because these tissues provide keratin that the fungi feed on and colonize without invading deeper structures. This localization explains why these infections are confined to superficial layers and present as conditions affecting skin, hair, and nails. The other options describe infections by other types of organisms or by deeper tissues, which isn’t characteristic of superficial mycoses.