Tinea Corporis - Treatment, Picture and Symptoms of Tinea Corporis

Tinea Corporis is very common fungus affection. It is caused by trichophyton in the majority of cases; infrequently, microsporon and epidermophyton have been known to cause it. The latter two produce a milder reaction. Tinea corporis is a common skin disorder among children. However, it may occur in people of all ages. It is caused by mold-like fungi called dermatophytes.

Tinea corporis also known as Ringworm, tinea circinata, and Tinea glabrosa

See also:

• Tinea capitis
• Tinea cruris (jock itch)
• Tinea pedis (athlete's foot)

Symptoms of Tinea Corporis

They are typical. Marked itching is a characteristic symptom.

There may be one or more lesions which are more or less circular, sharply demarcated from the surrounding skin; their sizes vary, say, from that of a one rupee coin to the palm of the hand (or bigger). Confluent patches produce figurate areas.

The disease is usually chronic, and the course extends over months to years. Eczematization and lichenification may become the complicating features of chronic cases. Ringworm infection can almost always be confirmed by scraping the active periphery of the lesion, by the demonstration of mycelia under the microscope and by culture. The sources of infection are infected human beings or animals, particularly cattle. Infection is conveyed by direct contact, less frequently, by fomites like clothing.

Causes of Tinea Corporis

Tinea corporis is caused by a tiny fungus known as dermatophyte. These tiny organisms normally live on the superficial skin surface, and when the opportunity is right, they can induce a rash or infection.

The following are the most common fungi responsible for ringworm:

• Trichophyton rubrum
• Microsporum canis
• Trichophyton mentagrophytes

The disease can also be acquired by: Person-to-person transfer usually via direct skin contact with an infected individual. Animal-to-human transmission is also common. Tinea infections are contagious.

Ringworm - Pictures

The following pictures give good examples of the characteristics of the rash:

• Ringworm on the leg
• Ringworm on the hand and leg
• Ringworm on the finger
  

Test for Tinea Corporis

The health care provider can often diagnose tinea corporis by how the skin looks.

In some cases, the following tests may be done:

1. Looking at a skin scraping of the rash under the microscope using a KOH (potassium hydroxide) test
2. Skin lesion biopsy

Prognosis of Tinea Corporis

It has improved and tinea has become curable, if the source of infection is eliminated completely, and the right treatment is given persistently. Half-hearted treatment is demoralizing and results in chronicity. The superficial varieties of this disease do not leave any atrophy or scarring.

Treatment of Tinea Corporis

It consists in applying fungicidal agents, removing the sources of infection in infected nails, fomites, animals etc and treating complications like eczema and lichenification along the usual lines. When inflammation is marked, silver nitrate 1% in distilled water is used. Energetic treatment is risky at this stage. 1t may bring about acute eczematization and a troublesome ide eruption.

The fungicides commonly advised are Tinactin (P), econazole, miconazole. Recurrences can be treated with Lamisil cream this does not need a prescription and is very effective for control.

The most commonly used antifungal creams are:

•Miconazole (Monistat)
•Clotrimazole (Mycelex)
•Ketoconazole (Nizoral)
•Terbinafine (Lamisil)

The recommended oral antifungal medications are:

•Terbinafine (Lamisil) 250 mg
•Itraconazole (Sporanox) 200 mg

Prevention of Tinea Corporis

• Wash all towels in warm, soapy water and then dry them
• Avoid contact with infected pets as much as possible.
• Clean sinks, bathtubs, and bathroom floors well after using
• Wear clean clothes every day and do not share clothes
• Practice good hygiene when participation in sports involves physical contact with other people
• Wearing sandals or shoes in gyms, locker rooms, and at pools can help reduce your chances of contracting athlete's foot.
  

When to Seek Medical Care

If large areas of the body are affected or if the lesions do not improve after 1–2 weeks of applying over-the-counter antifungal creams, see your doctor for an evaluation.

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