Objective: The majority of the patients presented to our dermatology outpatient clinic had mainly superficial fungal infections caused by dermatophytes. We aimed to evaluate the incidence of superficial fungal infections in and around Elazığ.

Material and method: Between January 1991 and January 1999, a total of 30 506 patients presented to Fırat University Department of Dermatology were evaluated according to sex, age and diagnosis.

Results: Of the patients, 4150 were diagnosed with superficial fungal infection (13.60%). The most common superficial fungal infections were tinea pedis (46.85%), pitriasis versicolor (18.85%), tinea inguinalis (12.29%), tinea ungium (10.56%), tinea corporis (6.70%), tinea capitis (3.43%), candidiasis (1.35%). Mean age of the patients with superficial fungal infection was 28.2±12 years. Of the subjects, 1312 (31.62%) were female, 2838 (68.38%) were male.

Conclusion: In conclusion the superficial fungal infection rate is high in Elazığ and neighboring cities and this rate is higher in man compared to women.