Dermatophytosis is a common contagious skin disease caused by fungi known as Dermatophytes. Dermatophytosis is most common in tropical and subtropical countries. Kalaburgi is a district in Karnataka where the hot and humid climate favours the fungal infections. Dermatophytoses in orphans reflects the status of health hygiene and personal cleanliness of a community. The present study aimed at screening Dermatophytosis and evaluating the pattern of the same. 175 orphans were screened for dermatophytosis. Samples were collected with aseptic precautions and processed for KOH mount and fungal culture (Sabarauds dextrose agar and Dermatophyte test medium). The isolates were confirmed by performing LPCB mount. Among 175 orphans 6(3.42%) were positive by KOH mount and culture (Sabarauds dextrose agar& DTM) had 4(2.28%) positivity. The prevalence of other diseases such as Pityriasis alba, Tinea versicolor, Scabies and Pediculosis capitis were 6.8, 2.2, 12.5, 0.5% respectively. This study detects epidemiological pattern, predominant organism causing dermatophytosis and other skin infections in orphanages.

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