Fungal infections can affect the skin in what way?

Fungal infections can present as either superficial skin conditions or involve deeper tissues, which is a critical aspect of understanding how these infections manifest. Superficial fungal infections, such as athlete's foot or ringworm, primarily affect the outermost layers of the skin, hair, or nails and can often be treated effectively with topical antifungal medications. On the other hand, more invasive fungal infections, such as those caused by organisms like Candida or Aspergillus, can penetrate deeper tissues and may lead to more severe health complications, particularly in immunocompromised individuals.

Recognizing that fungal infections can vary in their depth of tissue involvement highlights the importance of diagnosing the specific type of infection and understanding its potential severity. This variability underscores why not all fungal infections necessitate aggressive medical intervention; some may be manageable with over-the-counter treatments, while others could require systemic therapy or even hospitalization.

The other options do not reflect the full scope of how fungal infections affect the skin or misrepresent the nature of these infections by implying absolutes that aren't applicable in all situations.