What do we call a fungal infection that can affect the hair, skin, and nails?

A fungal infection that can affect the hair, skin, and nails is known as "tinea." This term encompasses a group of conditions often described as ringworm, which is caused by dermatophyte fungi. Tinea can manifest in various forms, including tinea capitis (scalp), tinea corporis (body), tinea cruris (groin), and tinea pedis (athlete's foot). Each of these infections can involve different areas of the body, and they are commonly characterized by symptoms such as itching, scaly patches, and hair loss in the case of tinea capitis.

In contrast, dermatitis refers to inflammation of the skin with various causes, including allergic reactions and irritants, but it is not specifically a fungal infection. Folliculitis is the inflammation of hair follicles that can be caused by bacteria or other pathogens, while scabies is a parasitic infestation caused by mites. Together, these other conditions are distinct from tinea, which is specifically caused by fungal organisms and affects the hair, skin, and nails in ways characteristic of fungal infections.