Which term describes a fungus infection of the skin?

• A. Dermatitis
• B. Dermatologist
• C. Dialysis
• D. Dermatomycosis

Answer: (D)

Fungal infections of the skin are named by combining a skin-related root with a mycosis suffix. Dermato- (skin) plus -mycosis (fungal infection) gives dermatomycosis, the term that literally describes a fungus affecting the skin. Dermatitis, on the other hand, means skin inflammation but not specifically a fungal infection. A dermatologist is a doctor who treats skin conditions, not the disease itself. Dialysis is a procedure for cleaning the blood, unrelated to skin infections. So the term that accurately describes a fungus infection of the skin is dermatomycosis.