Tinea is a general term used to describe skin mycoses. The term ringworm is even less precise, but is usually considered a synonym.

It is sometimes equated with dermatophytosis

Dermatophytosis

Dermatophytosis or ringworm is a clinical condition caused by fungal infection of the skin in humans, pets such as cats, and domesticated animals such as sheep and cattle. The term "ringworm" is a misnomer, since the condition is caused by fungi of several different species and not by parasitic worms...

, and it is true that most conditions identified as "tinea" are members of the imperfect fungi that make up the dermatophyte

Dermatophyte

Dermatophytes are a common label for a group of three types of fungus that commonly causes skin disease in animals and humans. These anamorphic genera are: Microsporum, Epidermophyton and Trichophyton. There are about 40 species in these three genera...

s. However, conditions such as tinea nigra

Tinea nigra

Tinea Nigra is a superficial fungal infection that causes dark brown to black painless patches on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet.- Causes :...

 and Tinea versicolor

Tinea versicolor

Tinea versicolor is a condition characterized by a rash on the trunk and proximal extremities. Recent research has shown that the majority of Tinea versicolor is caused by the Malassezia globosa fungus, although Malassezia furfur is responsible for a small number of cases...

are not caused by dermatophytes.