Tinea Barbae - Treatment, Picture, Cause and Symptoms of Tinea Barbae

There are two clinical varieties of Tinea Barbae:

Tinea circinata is characterized by a patch or patches of scaling or vesiculo-pustules with inflammation most marked at the periphery and accompanied by itching. The kerion type as affects the scalp. This variety is common amongst farm workers; it is caused by the trichophyton species, and is conveyed by infected cattle.

Tinea barbae should be distinguished from sycosis barbae, actinomycosis and other granulomas. If the clinical features described above are remembered, the diagnosis is not difficult; it can be confirmed by a microscopic examination.

In sycosis barbae there is chronic congestion of the skin of the beard region with superficial, follicular pustules.

Actinomycosis produces a hard, indurated, lumpy swelling below the angle of the jaw, chronic suppuration, sinuses and sulphur granules.

Treatment of Tinea Barbae

It is on the same lines as for tinea capitis. The prognosis is good as regards complete cure. Scarring and alopecia, however, are the end results of the kerion variety.