While it may not seem like much of an issue at first glance, many patients don’t realize that a fungal skin infection causes many skin irritations. The Latin word “tinea”, meaning worm, refers to fungal infections found in the skin, hair, and nails. Because fungi are organisms that lack the ability to nourish themselves, they grow directly on their food source, which is why some of them grow on human tissue. There are various types of fungal skin infections, but thankfully we have just the right kinds of treatment to make them little more than a soon forgotten nuisance. Types of fungal infections include athlete’s foot, ringworm, scalp ringworm, and jock itch.