Tinea (dermatophyte fungal infection)
Tinea is the clinical term for dermatophyte (fungal) infection of the hair, the nails, or the top layer of the skin (epidermis). Tinea corporis is a dermatophyte infection (dermatophytosis) of the face, trunk, and limbs. (Tinea may also occur on the feet, groin, hands, scalp, or beard areas; called tinea pedis, cruris, manuum, capitis, or barbae, respectively.)
Transmission is usually autoinnoculation from other parts of the body (most commonly the feet), contact with active lesions of animals or other persons, or from soil.
Symptoms
Typical lesions begin as flat, scaly spots, then develop a red, raised border which advances outward in all directions (hence the common name “ringworm”). As lesions enlarge they develop a central area of clearing, scaling, and hyperpigmentation (darkening).
Diagnosis
The clinician may diagnose tinea by appearance, microscopic examination of skin scrapings, or (rarely) culture.
Treatment
Most cases are treated by application of topical antifungal creams, but extensive or difficult to treat cases may require systemic treatment with oral medication.
Topical treatment
In general tinea corporis responds well to topical medication. Antifungal cream is applied to the lesion and a 3 centimeter (approximately 1⅛ inch) area beyond the borders of the lesion twice a day for at least 2 weeks. Therapy should continue for one week after lesion(s) resolve(s) to ensure the fungus is completely gone.
Systemic oral treatment
Multiple, deep, or extensive tinea lesions may require oral antifungal medications. Oral medications are taken daily for 2-6 weeks and result in higher clinical cure rates.
Prevention
Because dermatophytes prefer warm, moist environments, preventing tinea involves keeping skin dry and avoiding contact with infectious material. Basic prevention measures include:
- Wash hands after handling animals, soil, and plants.
- Avoid touching characteristic lesions on other people.
- Wear loose-fitting clothing.
- Cover exercise equipment with a towel to prevent contact with exposed skin.
- Practice good hygiene when participation in sports involves physical contact with other people (e.g.wrestling).
References
www.aad.orgWikipedia, search for Tinea corporis
Habif, T.P. (2001) Skin Disease: Diagnosis and Treatment. St. Louis: Mosby.
Fitzpatrick, T.B. (1997) Color Atlas and Synopsis of Dermatology. New York: McGraw-Hill.