Cutaneous fungal infections Flashcards
What are fungal skin infections?
Superficial dermatophyte infections, affecting the skin’s outer layers
What are dermatophytes?
A dermatophyte is a type of fungus that causes skin, hair and nail infections in humans and animals
What is tinea corporis?
Ringworm of the body
What is tinea corporis caused by?
Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton interdigitale
What is tinea cruris?
A form of cutaneous fungal skin infection that affects the groin, pubic region and adjacent thigh
How is cutaneous fungal infection spread?
Direct contact with an infected person or animal
Indirect contact (e.g shared towels)
Contact with soil
What are the risk factors for cutaneous fungal infection?
Exposure to infection
Local immunosuppression (steroid use)
Systemic immunosuppression
Diabetes mellitus
Obesity
Optimal conditions for fungal growth - occlusive clothing, hyperhidrosis, warm/humid climates
What are the clinical features of cutaneous fungal infections?
Patchy skin lesions - red or pink edge surrounding an area of central clearning
Lesions are itchy or scaly
Lesions commonly found in the skin folds
How is cutaneous fungal infection diagnosed?
Clinical diagnosis
- Bacterial swab may be taken
What is the conservative management of cutaneous fungal infection?
Wearing loose fitting clothing
Regular washing and fully drying skin
Not sharing towels
Washing clothing and linen regularly
What is the medical management of cutaneous fungal infection?
Topical antifungals - topical terbinafine or imidazole
For significant inflammation:
- Topical corticosteroid for 7 days
For severe or widespread disease:
- Oral terbinafine
What is the major contraindication to terbinafine?
Hepatic impairment
- LFTs should be checked prior to treatment, and after 4-6 weeks
What are the complications of cutaneous fungal infection?
Secondary bacterial infections
Spread to the dermis and subcutaneous layers of the skin via the hair follicles
Spread to the hands via scratching
Tinea incognito - occurs when a tinea infection is mistakenly treated with steroids
