Fungal skin infections

Question 1

Dermatophyte fungal infection

Answer 1

Ringworm (tinea)

Question 2

Tinea capitis

Answer 2

Scalp

Question 3

Tinea barbea

Answer 3

Beard

Question 4

Tinea corporis

Answer 4

Body

Question 5

Tinea manuum

Answer 5

Hand

Question 6

Tinea ungium

Answer 6

Nails

Question 7

Tinea cruris

Answer 7

Groin

Question 8

Tinea pedis

Answer 8

Foot (athletes foot)

Question 9

What is the ideal environment for a fungal infection?

Answer 9

Abraded or soggy skin

Question 10

Pathogenesis of fungal infection

Answer 10

Fungus enters abraded or soggy skin
Hyphae spread in stratum corneum
Infects keritinised tissues only (skin, hair, nails)
Increases epidermal turnover causing scaling
Inflammatory response provoked.
Hair follicles and shafts invaded
Lesion grows outwards and heals in the centre.

Question 11

Sources of fungal skin infection

Answer 11

Other infected humans
Animals
Soils

Question 12

How to diagnose fungal skin infections

Answer 12

Skin scrapings, nail clippings, hair

Culture for 2 weeks.

Question 13

Treatment of fungal skin infections

Answer 13

Small areas of skin/nails- clotrimazole (canestan cream)
Extensive infected skin-
Terbinafine orally
Itraconazole orally

Question 14

Candida skin infections

Answer 14

Causes infection in skin folds where area is warm and moist

Seen under breasts, groin areas, abdominal skin folds

Question 15

Diagnosis of candida skin infections

Answer 15

Swabbing and culture

Question 16

Treatment of candida skin infections

Answer 16

Clotimazole cream (canestan) 
Oral fluconazole.