Tinea Corporis
Summary
This is a brief article on Tinea corporis, describing the route of transmission, risk factors, description of the rash, and the management.
Basics
This is a superficial cutaneous infection caused by a fungus known as a dermatophyte. The other name used to describe a tinea infection is ringworm. This infection appears on the arms and legs, especially on glabrous skin.
Transmission
- Human-to-human transmission
- Animal-to-human transmission
- Inanimate objects (toiletries, beds, linen, etc) to human transmission
Risk Factors
- Patients who live in crowded humid conditions
- Patients that participate in close contacts
- Wear tight clothes with poor aeration, resulting in increased sweat and moisture.
- Immunocompromised states (HIV, Diabetes Mellitus, Immunosuppressive Drugs)
Description
- Itchy ring-like patches
- Raised borders
- Scales to touch
- Patches slowly grow bigger, and as this patch extends the central area becomes clear. In patients with darker skin, this area may become hyperpigmented.
- There may be hair loss in the area of infection.
Management
General
- Prevent the infection from spreading to others. Advice the patient to not share any clothes, towels, toiletries.
- Wash skin well and dry before the application of medicine.
Medical
- Imidazole: Clotrimazole 1% cream topical applied three times per day. The cream should be used for at least 2 weeks after the lesions have been cleared.
References and Further Reading
1. The National Department of Health, South Africa: Essential Drugs
Programme. Primary Healthcare Standard Treatment Guideline and
Essential Medicine List. 7th ed. South African National Department of Health;
2020.
2. Figure 1: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Ringworm on the arm, or tinea corporis due to Trichophyton mentagrophytes. License Public Domain.
2. Figure 1: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Ringworm on the arm, or tinea corporis due to Trichophyton mentagrophytes. License Public Domain.
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