Tinea Flashcards
What does this term mean?
A term given to dermatophyte fungal infections
What are the main types?
Tinea capitis- scalp
Tinea corporis - trunk, legs or arms
Tinea pedis - feet
Tinea cruris - groin
What is tinea capitis also referred to as?
Scalp ringworm
How can tinea capitis present?
Dry scaling with moth eaten hair loss
Raised, pustular, spongy mass called a kerion
Yellow crusts and matted hair
What can untreated tinea capitis cause?
Scarring alopecia mainly in children
What is another term for tinea corporis?
Ringworm
How does tinea corporis present?
Well defined annular, erythematous lesions
With pustules and papules
Often less red and scaly in the middle
Usually affects exposed areas
How is it diagnosed?
Clinically
Microscopy and culture of skin scrapings
What is tinea pedis also called?
Athlete’s foot
What is tinea pedis characterised by?
Itchy, peeling skin between toes
Tinea capitis is most commonly caused by…
Trichophyton tonsurans
May also be caused by microsporum canis aquifer form cats or dogs
How is tinea capitis managed?
Oral antifungals: terbinafine for trichophyton tonsurans infections and griseofulvin for microsporum infections
Topical ketoconazole in first 2 weeks to reduce transmission
How is tinea corporis treated?
Topical antifungals, if unsuccessful oral antifungals e.g fluconazole may be considered
In tinea corporis, where does infection often come from?
The feet (tinea pedis) or nails (tinea unguium) Microsporum canis from cats and dogs T. Verrucosum from cattle
