Table Of Contents
Dermatophytosis (Tinea)
Dermatophyte infections are given different names depending on the location of the infection. Diagnosis is clinical. Deep infections (involving the hair and nails) are treated with oral antifungals.
Dermatophytosis
| Area infected | Term |
|---|---|
| Foot | Tinea pedis (Athletes foot) |
| Body and limbs | Tinea corporis (Ringworm) |
| Scalp | Tinea captitis |
| Nails | Tine unguium (Onychomycosis) |
| Perineum | Tinea cruris (Jock itch) |
| Beard | Tinea barbae |
- Risk factors
- Close-skin contact
- Occlusive footwear
- Humid environment and excessive sweating
- Diabetes
- Immunosuppression
- Contact with infected animals e.g. rodents
- Signs and symptoms
- Scaly, erythematous, pruritic patch with centrifugal spread
- Subsequent central clearing with raised annular border
- Tinea capitis: Well-defined circular bald spot
- Differentials for tinea corporis
- Impetigo
- Seborrhoeic dermatitis
- Psoriasis
- Discoid eczema
- Lichen simplex
- Contact dermatitis
- Pityriasis rosea
- Differentials for tinea pedis
- Eczema
- Psoriasis
- Contact dermatitis
- Investigations
- KOH preparation
- Treatment
- Personal hygiene
- Topical anti-fungals: Terbinafine, Clotrimazole, Miconazole
- Oral antifungals: Terbinafine, Fluconazole, Itraconazole, Griseofulvin → especially for onychomycosis, tinea capitis and tinea barbae (deep infections)
