User:Mr. Ibrahem/Dermatophytosis
Medical condition / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dermatophytosis, also known as tinea and ringworm, is a fungal infection of the outer layer of skin, hair, or nails, typically caused by Trichophyton, Microsporum, or Epidermophyton.[1][2] It tends to result in a red, itchy, scaly, circular rash.[10] Hair loss may occur in the area affected.[10] Symptoms begin 4 to 14 days after exposure.[10] It includes dermatophyte infections of the head, body, hands, feet, groin, beard, and nails.[3]
Dermatophytosis | |
---|---|
Other names | Tinea, ringworm[1] |
Top: Dermatophytosis of scalp Bottom: Athlete foot | |
Specialty | Dermatology, infectious diseases[2] |
Symptoms | Red, itchy, scaly, circular skin rash[3] |
Causes | Fungi: Microsporum, Epidermophyton, Trichophyton[3] |
Risk factors | Using public showers, contact sports, excessive sweating, contact with animals, obesity, poor immune function[4][5] |
Diagnostic method | Based on symptoms, microbial culture, microscopic examination[6] |
Differential diagnosis | Dermatitis, psoriasis, pityriasis rosea, tinea versicolor[7] |
Prevention | Keep the skin dry, no walking barefoot in public, not sharing personal items[4] |
Treatment | Antifungal creams (clotrimazole, miconazole)[8] |
Frequency | 20% of the population[9] |
About 40 types of fungi can cause ringworm.[11] Risk factors include using public showers, contact sports such as wrestling, excessive sweating, contact with animals, obesity, and poor immune function.[4][5] It can spread from other animals or between people.[4] Diagnosis is often based on the appearance and symptoms.[6] It may be confirmed by either culturing or looking at a skin scraping under a microscope.[6]
Prevention is by keeping the skin dry, not walking barefoot in public, and not sharing personal items.[4] Treatment is typically with antifungal creams such as clotrimazole or miconazole.[8] If the scalp is involved, antifungals by mouth such as fluconazole may be needed.[8]
Globally, up to 20% of the population may be infected by ringworm at any given time.[9] Infections of the groin are more common in males, while infections of the scalp and body occur equally in both sexes.[5] Infections of the scalp are most common in children while infections of the groin are most common in the elderly.[5] Descriptions of ringworm date back to ancient history.[12]