Dermatomycoses in Eastern Libya: A One-Year Retrospective Analysis of Clinical Patterns and Demographic Characteristics
TL;DR
It was showed that fungal skin diseases are more frequently observed in men (67%) compared to women (33%) and their correlation with age and sex showed that fungal skin diseases are more frequently observed in men (67%) compared to women (33%).
Abstract
Dermatomycosis is an infectious disease of the skin, hair, and nails. It affects 20 to 25% of the world population and is caused by various conditionally pathogenic fungi. Typical pathogens include Trichophyton, Microsporum, and Epidermophyton. These infections are common in humid climates, such as those found in Libya. The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of various dermatomycoses at Benghazi Medical Centre from May 2025 to April 2026 and their correlation with age and sex. The results showed that fungal skin diseases are more frequently observed in men (67%) compared to women (33%). Tinea corporis was the most prevalent superficial fungal infection (25%), followed by tinea pedis (21%) and tinea capitis (18%). In addition, the age group most commonly affected by fungal infections is individuals under 30 years old (55%). Dermatomycoses are among the most common global health disorders, with an estimated lifetime probability of infection reaching 20% to 25% of the world's population. Maintaining good personal hygiene and early intervention are key to preventing the spread of these infections.