Superficial Fungal Infections Flashcards
What is Tinea capitis?
ringworm of the scalp that is very common in 3-7 yos
What are the main causes of Tinea Capitis?
- 90% by Trichophyton tonsurans
- Microsporum canis
How is tinear capitis contracted?
Via humans, animals, fomites (shared brushes, combs, hats) or sometimes oil that results typically in a asymptomatic carrigae phase initially
What are the primary risk factors for tinea capitis?
- large family size
- crowded living conditions
- low socioeconomic status
Tinea capitis presentations (seb derm more like in AA kids)
This occurs because the bugs can get into the hair shafts and cause them to break off
Tinea capitis presentations (you cannot diagnose this with a woodflam lamp anymore!)
Keroid is caused by marked inflammation that can cause permanent scarring and hair loss in these situations. For these you can consider sysemic steroids for decreased pain and inflammation
T or F. LAD is common with tinea capitis
T. Especially in the posterior cervical and sub-occipital regions (correlates well with + fungal cultures in setting of scaling and alopecia)
How can tinea capitis be confirmed?
gold standard is FUNGAL CULTURE (very important to confirm)
-use a moistened cotton tip to rub vigorously over the affected area and then use a standard bacterial culture
What is this?
Seborrheic Dermatits (in the DDx with tinea captitis)- this is usually more chronic and unusual after infancy and before puberty (infants with cradle cap (waxy yellow scale) or teen or adults with dandruff)
What dis stuff?
Psoriasis (on the DDx for tinea)- usually will see more erythema plaques with silvery scales and favors postauricular and posterior hairline
What is this?
Alopecia areata- on the DDx for tinea capitis except no broken hairs, LAD, erythema
How is tinea capitis treated?
Requires SYSTEMIC antifungal to penetrate hair follicle and griseofulvin is the gold standard (microsize or ultramicrosize)
Microsize used most often: 20mg/kg/d for at least 8 weeks
NOTE: M. canis infections may require higher doses and longer course for clearance
Advice on Tx for tinea capitis
Give with fatty food for absorption and may divide bid if large volume needed for bigger kids
AEs of Griseofulvin?
mostly well-tolerated but may see HA, GI pain, photosensitivity or drug rxns
Adjuvant Tx for tinea?
Add an antifungal shampoo 2-3 times a week (Ketoconazole 2% or selenium sulfide) to aid in removal or scales and eradicate spores (consider all members of house use)
Fomite education (dont share combs, etc.)
-Terbinafine can be used if 4+ yo
T or F. M. canis does not respond well to Terbinafine
T. Need to know what you’re treating
AEs of Terbinafine?
hepatotoxicity and rare heme effects (get a baseline ALT/AST and CBC monitoring if immunodeficient)
What is tinea corporis?
Superficial fungal infection of skin due to contact with infected person or animal
What are the main causes of tinea corporis in young children?
M. canis > M. audouinii, T > mentagrophytes
What are the main causes of tinea corporis in older childrena/adults?
T. rubrum, T. verrucosum, T. menatgrophytes (young child with T. rubrum likely has a parent with tinea pedis and/or onychomycosis)
What is a Majocchi’s granuloma?
Chronic tinea corporis infection may cause penetration into the hair follicles resulting in erythematous plaques or patches with nodules
What is this?
Nummular (solid redness; annular- red border) Atopic Dermatitis- this is on the DDx for tinea corporis but nummular and very pruritic
needs steroids to treat
What dis?
Psoriasis- on the DDx for tinea corporis BUT more of a dull pink colour, nummular and distribution is different
What is this?
Granuloma annulare- very similar to tinea corporis- never scaly, with a raised ‘rubbery’ rim and tend to show up on the dorsal ahnds, wrists, feet, and ankles
How is tinea corporis used?
Topical for superificial/localzied for at least 2-4 weeks and treat affected area and and extra rim of normal skin. If no improvement, and culture positive, proceed to oral therapy. Consider systemic therpay for disseminated/Majocchi’s and tinea faciei