Tinea corporis or ringworm

Tinea corporis (or ringworm) is a superficial infection caused by certain fungi called dermatophytes.

This mycosis is characterized by round, pink skin lesions.

The affected areas can spread throughout the skin, with the exception of:

  • Scalp
  • groin,
  • Palms
  • Soles.

More specifically, tinea corporis refers to infections:

  • Trunk
  • Legs
  • Poor.

Contents

How does tinea corporis manifest itself?

Tinea corporis may refer to:

  • acute occurrence (sudden onset and rapid spread,
  • be chronic (slow spread of a mild and easily inflamed rash).

Acute tinea corporis occurs with:

  • Red
  • Inflamed
  • itchy spots.

In addition, pustules may form.

The red spot has scaly edges and a ring-shaped or oval shape.
Often the skin in the center of the plaques is healthy.
Sometimes a new ring forms inside an older one.

Often the cause is a fungal infection from an animal (zoonosis), such as Microsporum canis.

Chronic tinea corporis tends to affect the folds of the body (diffisuion of tinea cruris).
If the disease spreads, treatment is more difficult and a recurrence is very likely.
This is probably due to:

  • reducing the skin’s natural resistance to fungi,
  • Presence of the fungus in the home environment.

Signs and symptoms of tinea

Symptoms, medical history and recent trips abroad are important clues to recognize whether a person has tinea corporis.
Infected people can have various symptoms:

  • Some courses are asymptomatic.
  • A red ring that causes itching is a characteristic sign of infection.
  • Occasionally, patients may feel the sensation of burning sensation on the skin.
  • Among the symptoms, hair loss may also occur.
  • Immunosuppressed people can more easily develop skin infections such as tinea.

Some clinical variants are described with different symptoms.

1.Majocchian disease, typically caused by T. rubrum, is a fungal infection on hair, hair follicles and surrounding skin that occurs along with a granulomatous reaction.
These diseases are characterized by:

  • a spot with irregular edges,
  • reddened skin,
  • Papules and pustules.

Majocchi disease is common on the legs.
Risk factors include:

  • Shaving
  • Use of topical cortisone preparations
  • Immunodepression.

2. Tinea corporis gladiatorum is a dermatophyte infection in skin-to-skin contact, which is very common in wrestlers.

3. Tinea imbricata is a form of tinea corporis found mainly in Southeast Asia, Central America and South America. It is caused by Trichophyton concentricum. The most striking sign is the formation of round and raised skin lesions.

4. Tinea incognito is a variant of tinea corporis that manifests itself in various ways due to treatment with corticosteroids (cortisone-based drugs). In contrast to tinea corporis, tinea incognito shows:

  • less raised edges,
  • Pustules
  • greater spread,
  • greater irritation.

5.Tinea nigra is a rare superficial dermatomycosis caused by the fungus Phaeoannellomyces werneckii, which manifests itself in the form of hyperpigmented spots, usually on the palms.

6. Pityriasis amiantacea is an excessively scaly disease of the scalp. Often the scales are silver or yellowish, surround the hair follicles and can surround tufts of hair. The scales can resemble asbestos, hence their name “amiantacea-asbestos-like”.

7. Tinea faciei is a condition that causes spots on the face around eyelashes and eyebrows.

Signs of tinea corporis

The tinea corporis can manifest itself in different ways.
Most often, the lesion begins in the form of a reddened and scaly plaque, which can worsen and grow very quickly.

As a result, the central part dissolves and a ring shape is formed.
As a result of inflammation, it is possible to form at the edge of the lesion :

  • Shed
  • Crusts
  • Papules
  • Vesicle.

Rarely, tinea corporis can cause the spots of a purpura (similar to those of porpora).
Finally (2017) only 3 cases of tinea corporis purpurica caused by self-infection by Trichophyton violaceum were described.

Infections caused by zoophilic or geophilic dermatophytes can cause a more intense inflammatory response than infections caused by anthropophilic microbes.

Causes of tinea

Fungi are germs that can live on dead tissue, for example:

  • Hair
  • Nails
  • outer layers of the skin.

Tinea corporis:

  • is caused by a type of mold called dermatophyte;
  • often occurs in children, but can appear in people of all ages.

Tinea corporis can be caused by contact with:

  • inanimate contaminated objects:
    1. Clothing
    2. Comb
    3. surfaces in the swimming pool,
    4. floors and walls of showers,
  • Pets – cats are frequent carriers,
  • infected people.

The cause may be a:

  • job-related (for example, on a farm, in a veterinary practice, etc.),
  • environmental (e.g. through gardening, contact with animals),
  • recreational (for example, contact sports, through contact with sports facilities) exposure.

The mushrooms thrive in a warm and humid environment.
Tinea infection is more likely if:

  • the skin is moist for a long time (for example, in the case of sweating),
  • the skin is delicate and skin injuries occur due to scratching with fingernails,
  • the environment is warm and humid,
  • you are in close contact with other people (for example, during some sports, such as wrestling).

Tinea corporis can spread easily.

How to diagnose ringworm?

  • If the doctor suspects ringworm, he examines the skin and makes some examinations to rule out other skin diseases that are not caused by fungi.
  • Usually, an examination of the skin is sufficient to establish the diagnosis.
  • The doctor may scrape the skin from the affected area and analyze the scales under a microscope to look for fungi.
  • A sample can be sent to a laboratory for diagnostic confirmation. In the laboratory, a test culture can be created to see if the fungus is growing.

Differential diagnosis
Non-fungal diseases similar to tinea corporis:

Therapy of tinea and home remedies

The doctor recommends:

  • Keep skin clean and dry.
  • use creams to treat fungal infections; for example, creams with:
    • miconazole,
    • clotrimazole (Canesten),
    • Ketoconazole.

Some of these creams are available over the counter or the doctor may prescribe them.
When using these pharmaceuticals, proceed as follows:
1. Wash and dry the area.
2. Apply the ointment where the area of the rash begins and spread towards the center. Then wash and dry your hands.
3. Apply the cream twice a day for 7-10 days.
4. Provide the area of the ringworm with a bandage.

Rarely, it may be necessary to take a medication because the infection is very pronounced.
A child with trichophythosis can go back to school as soon as treatment has been started.

Natural remedies for tinea corporis or ringworm

Various home remedies can be used for tinea, including:

1. Tea tree oil

  • Apply a few drops of tea tree oil to the lesions with a cotton pad.
  • Repeat twice daily.

2. Aloe Vera Gel

  • Apply the aloe gel to the skin to relieve itching.
  • Repeat several times a day.

3. Garlic

  • Cut a clove of garlic in the middle.
  • Rub the garlic half on the skin.
  • Repeat three times a day.

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