Fungal Skin Infections

Question 1

What are superficial fungal infections

Answer 1

Common and mild infection of the superficial skin layers, nails and hair

Question 2

Three main groups of causative fungi

Answer 2

Dermatophytes, yeasts and moulds

Question 3

Eg of dermatophytes

Answer 3

Tinea/ringworm

Question 4

Eg of yeasts

Answer 4

Candidiasis, malassezia

Question 5

Eg of moulds

Answer 5

Aspergillus

Question 6

Presentation of tinea corporis

Answer 6

Itchy, circular or annular lesions with a clearly defined raised and scaly edge, trunk and limbs

Question 7

Presentation of tinea pedis

Answer 7

‘Athletes foot’, moist scaling and fissuring in toewebs, spreading to sole and dorsal foot

Question 8

Presentation of tinea capitis

Answer 8

Scalp ringworm, patches of broken hair, scaling and inflammation

Question 9

Presentation of candidiasis

Answer 9

White plaques on mucosal areas, erythema with satellite lesions in flexures

Question 10

Presentation of tinea ungulum

Answer 10

Infection of the nail, yellow discolouration, thickened and crumbly nail

Question 11

Presentation of pityriasis

Answer 11

Infection with Malassezia furfur - scaly brown patches on upper trunk, that fail to tan on sun exposure

Question 12

Establishing diagnosis of fungal infections

Answer 12

Skin scrapings, skin swabs

Question 13

Management of fungal infections

Answer 13

Topical or oral antifungals, avoid use of topical steroids, correct predisposing factors

Question 14

Eg of topical antifungal

Answer 14

Terbinafine cream

Question 15

Eg of oral antifungal

Answer 15

Itraconazole

Question 16

What can use of corticosteroids cause

Answer 16

Tinea incognito