Fungal skin infections Flashcards
(19 cards)
What is Ringworm
Fungal infection of the skin
Causative organism for Ringworm
Most common type of fungus is trichophyton.
Spread through contact with infected individuals, animals or soils.
Name for Ringworm affecting scalp
Tinea capitis
Name for Ringworm affecting feet
Tinea pedis - AKA athletes foot
Name for Ringworm affecting groin
Tinea cruris
Name for Ringworm affecting body
Tinea corporis
Name for fungal nail infection
Tinea Unguium - AKA Onychomycosis
Athlete’s foot presentation
Teenagers and young adults.
White or red flaky, cracked, itchy patches between the toes. Skin may be split and bleed.
Athlete’s foot cause
Often sharing changing rooms with someone with athlete’s foot.
Sweaty and damp feet for prolonged periods of time
Ringworm presentation
Itchy rash that is erythematous, scaly and well demarcated. Often one of several rings or circular areas. Edge is more prominent and red than the area in the centre.
Tinea capitis presentation
More common in children
Well demarcated hair loss
Itching, dryness and erythema of the scalp
Tinea cruris presentation
Typically young men
Itchy, scaly rash on groin, typically bilateral
Usually overweight pt
Onychomycosis presentation
>60yrs White/yellow discolouration of nail Thickened nail More common on toenails Caused by dermatophytes (require keratin for growth)
Onychomycosis complications
Fungal infection spreads to other body parts
Painful walking
Fungal skin infection complications
Secondary bacterial infection
Cellulitis
Fungal infection investigations
Can scrape scales off and send them for microscopy and culture - usually only if severe symptoms or unsure of diagnosis
Nail clippings for onychomycosis - send for microbiology
Onychomycosis management
5% Amorolfine nail lacquer (antifungal) for 6-12 months
If severe, resistant or trouble walking may need oral terbinafine 250mg once daily for 6 weeks - 3 months (monitor LFT’s)
Wear comfy shoes
Fungal skin infection management
Antifungal cream e.g. clotrimazole or miconazole twice daily for a month
Keep dry and wear loose breathable clothing. Avoid sharing towels, clothes and bedding
Foot hygiene for tinea pedis
Antifungal shampoo e.g. ketoconazole for tinea capitis
Mild topical steroid to settle inflammation and itching - Daktacort cream (miconazole 2% and hydrocortisone 1%)
What is tinea incognito
More extensive fungal skin infection that results from the use of steroids to treat an initial fungal infection
E.g. ringworm misdiagnosed as dermatitis and topical steroid prescribed. Improves inflammation and itching but accelerated growth of fungus due to dampening of immune system. Steroid stopped and itchy rash returns but more extensive and less recognisable as ringworm.
