Tinea spores are encased in a robust outer shell made of layers of protective material that shields them from physical damage, dehydration, and extreme environmental conditions. This armour also prevents most antifungal agents from penetrating the spore and destroying it.

While dormant, tinea spores do not actively feed or grow. Instead, they enter a metabolic “standby mode,” conserving energy until the right conditions—warmth, moisture, and organic matter—return. This allows them to survive for months, or even years, in harsh environments like dry locker rooms or cold storage areas.

When conditions become favourable, spores reactivate and begin feeding on organic materials such as:

• Keratin from the human skin, hair, or nails, which they digest with enzymes designed specifically for this purpose.

• Dead skin cells shed by humans and animals.

• Oils, sweat residues, or dust particles left on fabrics, floors, and other surfaces.

Dormant spores act like “time capsules,” able to survive long stretches without nutrients. For example, spores left on a gym floor can survive for over a year, waiting for a barefoot user to create the right conditions. Or inside a damp shoe, spores can thrive indefinitely, reinfecting the skin repeatedly despite treatment.

Many common cleaning methods, such as household detergents or alcohol-based cleaners, are ineffective at killing spores. For instance, mopping a floor with standard detergent may remove visible dirt but leave spores behind. Or washing infected clothes or bedding in cold water can fail to kill spores, allowing them to reinfect skin or transfer to others.

The tough keratin layer of skin, hair, and nails acts like a fortress for tinea spores. Even powerful topical antifungals often struggle to penetrate deeply enough to completely eradicate the fungi. For example, athlete’s foot treatments may temporarily reduce symptoms, but tinea spores hidden in the nail bed or deeper skin layers can cause the infection to return.

Communal spaces like gyms and locker rooms are a hotbed for tinea spore activity. For example, a damp towel in a locker room can become a breeding ground for spores, which can then transfer to multiple users. Or shared mats in yoga or pilates classes are notorious for retaining tinea spores, even after surface cleaning.