Tinea/Fungus
Tinea refers to a group of fungal infections that affect various parts of the body. These infections are caused by dermatophytes, which are fungi that thrive on keratin, a protein found in skin, hair, and nails. Tinea infections are commonly known by the part of the body they affect and are often referred to as ringworm due to the characteristic ring-shaped rash, even though no worm is involved.
Types of Tinea Infections:
- Tinea Corporis (Ringworm of the Body):
- Affects the arms, legs, and trunk.
- Appears as circular, red, and scaly patches with a clear center, resembling a ring.
- Tinea Pedis (Athlete’s Foot):
- Affects the feet, especially between the toes.
- Symptoms include itching, scaling, peeling skin, and sometimes blisters or cracks in the skin.
- Often occurs in athletes or people who wear tight, sweaty shoes.
- Tinea Cruris (Jock Itch):
- Affects the groin, inner thighs, and buttocks.
- It causes a red, itchy rash that can spread outward with a distinct border.
- More common in men and athletes.
- Tinea Capitis (Scalp Ringworm):
- Affects the scalp and hair follicles.
- Symptoms include patches of hair loss, scaling, and sometimes swollen, inflamed areas called kerions.
- Common in children and is contagious.
- Tinea Unguium (Onychomycosis, Nail Fungus):
- Affects the fingernails or toenails, causing them to become thickened, discolored, brittle, and crumbly.
- More common in toenails due to moist conditions in shoes.
- Tinea Barbae (Beard Fungus):
- Affects the beard area in men.
- Symptoms include red, scaly patches, swelling, and sometimes hair loss in the infected area.
- Tinea Manuum:
- Affects the hands, causing dry, scaling patches, often on one hand.
- Tinea Versicolor (Pityriasis Versicolor):
- Not caused by dermatophytes but by a yeast-like fungus (Malassezia species).
- Causes discolored patches on the skin, either lighter or darker than the surrounding skin, often on the chest, back, and shoulders.
Symptoms:
- Red, scaly, and itchy rashes.
- Ring-shaped patches with a clear or less scaly center (in some forms).
- Cracking, peeling, and softening of the skin.
- Blisters or pustules in severe cases.
- Hair loss in areas affected by scalp ringworm.
Causes:
- Fungi (dermatophytes): The most common fungi that cause tinea infections are Trichophyton, Microsporum, and Epidermophyton species.
- These fungi thrive in warm, moist environments, making areas like locker rooms, public showers, and sweaty skin more prone to infection.
Transmission:
- Direct contact: Skin-to-skin contact with an infected person.
- Indirect contact: Sharing contaminated items such as towels, clothing, combs, or surfaces.
- Animal contact: Tinea can also spread from infected animals (particularly pets like cats and dogs) to humans.
Diagnosis:
- Clinical examination: A healthcare provider can often diagnose tinea based on the appearance of the rash.
- KOH test: A scraping of the skin can be examined under a microscope with potassium hydroxide (KOH) to identify fungal elements.
- Fungal culture: A sample may be cultured in a lab to identify the exact fungal species.
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