Dermatophyte infections are given different names depending on the location of the infection. The diagnosis is clinical. Deep infections (involving the hair and nails) are treated with oral antifungals.
Dermatophytosis
| Area infected | Term | Common causative organism |
|---|---|---|
| Foot | Tinea pedis (Athletes foot) | Trichophyton interdigitale |
| Body and limbs | Tinea corporis (Ringworm) | Microsporum gypseum |
| Scalp | Tinea captitis | Microsporum gypseum |
| Nails | Tinea unguium (Onychomycosis) | Trichophyton rubrum |
| 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
- Investigations
- KOH preparation of scrapings or nail clippings
- 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)
