Tinea corporis: Description
The term tinea (or dermatophytosis) generally refers to an infection of the skin, hair and nails with filamentous fungi (dermatophytes). In the case of tinea corporis (ringworm), the skin fungus affects the back, abdomen and chest, as well as the extremities (excluding the palms of the hands and feet) – in principle, all hairy areas of the skin. The face can also be affected (tinea faciei).
Typical for ringworm are scaly, itchy skin redness. Usually the infection is only superficial. Occasionally, however, it can spread to deeper layers of the skin.
The pathogens of tinea corporis are transmitted directly from person to person or via contaminated objects. The pathogens of ringworm can also be contracted from infected animals.
Ringworm
Trichophyton-rubrum syndrome
Another form of tinea corporis is Trichophyton-rubrum syndrome. This extensive chronic infection affects not only the skin but also the nails and can often persist for decades. It soon recurs after therapy is completed. Because Trichophyton rubrum syndrome runs in families, there is probably a genetic predisposition behind it.
Tokelau
Another special form of skin fungus is Tinea imbricata, also called Tokelau (after islands in the South Pacific), which only occurs in the tropics. It is found almost exclusively among ethnic groups of color, such as South Sea Islanders, Chinese, Indians, and South American Indians, and is highly contagious to them. This suggests a corresponding genetic predisposition.
Tinea corporis: symptoms
Superficial tinea corporis
If the infection predominantly affects superficial skin layers, inflammatory red, slightly scaly, roundish skin patches develop around the hair follicles affected by the fungus. As the infection progresses, several such skin patches may merge together and form large-scale, land-map shapes. Pustules may develop, especially at the edges of the patches. From the center, the skin patches pale.
Deep tinea corporis
Tinea corporis: causes and risk factors
Tinea corporis is caused by filamentous fungi (dermatophytes). These filamentous fungi can be transmitted directly from person to person, indirectly through contaminated objects and soil, and through contact with infected animals (such as cats, cattle).
Several species of filamentous fungi can cause tinea corporis. The most common causative agent in Central Europe is Trichophyton rubrum. Of the other filamentous fungi, T. mentagrophytes, Microsporum canis and Epidermophyton floccosum, for example, are possible triggers of ringworm.
There are some factors that generally favor a skin fungus infection. These include a warm, moist environment, for example due to heavy sweating or swimming. A weakened immune system also favors fungal infections such as tinea corporis. The weakening of the body’s defenses can either be the result of a serious disease (such as HIV) or be caused by medication (administration of immunosuppressants, for example after an organ transplant).
Tinea corporis: examinations and diagnosis
If tinea corporis is suspected, the general practitioner or a dermatologist is the right person to contact. The first thing to do is to talk to you to take your medical history (anamnesis): The doctor will ask you, for example, how long your symptoms have existed, whether there are any other complaints and whether you have any underlying diseases.
In individual cases, further examinations are used, such as inspection of the skin using UV light (Wood light lamp). Certain dermatophytes can be detected under this light.
Tinea corporis: Treatment
The treatment of tinea corporis depends on the extent of the infection. In most cases, the tinea corporis infection is only superficial and not very extensive, so that external (topical) treatment is sufficient. For example, creams, solutions, gels or powders with antifungal active ingredients – i.e. active ingredients that are effective against fungi, such as miconazole, clotrimazole and terbinafine – are used. The drugs are applied for several weeks – depending on the extent of the tinea corporis.
In children and pregnant and lactating women with tinea corporis, the physician will be particularly careful in the choice of therapy because these patient groups may not use some agents.
Tinea corporis: course of the disease and prognosis
Tinea corporis, like other fungal infections, requires a great deal of patience during therapy: fungi are stubborn, which is why one must be very consistent in the use of antifungal agents. The duration of treatment recommended by the doctor should be strictly adhered to. If the therapy is discontinued too early, the tinea corporis will return in many cases.
