Tinea corporis (ringworm) is a skin fungus infection caused by filamentous fungi, which affects the body trunk and extremities. It causes round, flaky redness, usually with a pronounced itching. The ringworm is treated with antifungal agents, which are usually applied externally, sometimes internally. Read all important information about Tinea corporis here.
Tinea corporis: description
The term tinea (or dermatophytosis) generally refers to an infection of skin, hair and nails with filamentous fungi (dermatophytes). In tinea corporis (ringworm), the dermal fungus affects the back, abdomen and chest as well as the extremities (without the palms of the hands and feet) – in other words all hairy areas of the skin. The face can also be affected (tinea faciei). It develops flaky, itchy skin redness. Mostly the infection is only superficial. But it can also spread to deeper skin layers.
The pathogens of tinea corporis are transmitted directly from person to person or via contaminated objects. Also infected animals can be infected with the pathogens of ringworm.
Ringer mushroom
A special sub-form of Tinea corporis is the “Ringer’s mushroom” (Tinea corporis gladiatorum). The causative agent is a certain filamentous fungus that penetrates into the hair shaft (on the body and also on the head) and causes an inflammatory reaction. As a result, the hair shaft breaks off directly at the skin surface. The name “Ringer’s mushroom” comes from the fact that this fungal infection is widespread among wrestlers (especially in the USA).
Trichophyton rubrum syndrome
Another form of tinea corporis is the Trichophyton rubrum syndrome. This extensive chronic infection affects not only the skin but also the nails and can often persist for decades. After completing therapy, she returns soon. Because the Trichophyton-rubrum syndrome occurs familial, probably a genetic predisposition is behind it.
tokelau
Another special form of skin fungus is the only occurring in the tropics Tinea imbricata, also called Tokelau (after some islands in the South Pacific). It is found almost exclusively in colored ethnic groups such as South Sea Islanders, Chinese, Indians and South American Indians) and is very contagious to them. This suggests an appropriate genetic predisposition.
Tinea corporis: symptoms
The type and extent of the symptoms in tinea corporis depend primarily on which pathogen is responsible for the infection and how far the infestation has spread. Physicians also distinguish a superficial and a deep tinea corporis.
Superficial tinea corporis
If the infection primarily affects superficial layers of the skin, inflammatory reddened, slightly scaly, rounded skin spots develop around the hair follicles affected by the fungus. As the infection progresses, multiple such skin spots may fuse together to form large area, maple-shaped shapes. Especially on the edge, pustules can form. From the center, the patches of skin fade.
Deep tinea corporis
The superficial tinea corporis can develop an acute, deep form of infection as the fungus penetrates deeper into the skin along the hair. It then comes to stronger inflammatory reactions with the formation of painful, fluid-filled nodes. The adjacent lymph nodes swell. In addition, patients can develop general symptoms such as fever and fatigue. The deep form of the skin fungus infection affects in men especially the beard and neck region, in children especially the forearms and the hairy head.
Tinea corporis: causes and risk factors
Tinea corporis is triggered by filamentous fungi (dermatophytes). These filamentous fungi can be transmitted directly from human to human, indirectly through contaminated objects and soil, and through contact with infected animals (such as cats, cattle).
Different types of filamentous fungi can cause a tinea corporis. The most common cause in Central Europe is Trichophyton rubrum. As further filamentous fungi, for example, T. mentagrophytes, Microsporum canis and Epidermophyton floccosum come as a triggers of ringworm in question.
Dermatophytes are “horn-loving”. They affect the horny layer, hair and nails. Unlike other fungi that can cause infections in humans, they do not affect the mucous membranes. If they only colonize the horny layer of the skin, they spread concentrically from the point of entry. If they also penetrate the hair follicles, they colonize the hair shaft. The incubation period, ie the time between infection and onset of the first symptoms, is one to two weeks.
There are several factors that generally favor a skin fungus infection. This includes a warm and moist environment, such as 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 illness (such as HIV) or be medically caused (administration of immunosuppressants, such as after organ transplantation).
Tinea corporis: examinations and diagnosis
If a suspected Tinea corporis is the family doctor or a dermatologist the right person. A rash can generally be a sign of various diseases. As a rule, the doctor first collects the medical history (anamnesis) by talking extensively with the patient. He asks, for example, since when the symptoms exist, if there are more complaints and if there are any underlying diseases.
After the medical history follows a physical examination. The doctor will take a close look at the affected skin and remove examination material (dander, nails, hair). These are examined under the microscope for the presence of fungi. In addition, a mushroom culture can be created with the crushed specimen. Preserved under suitable growth conditions, existing fungi multiply in culture and can be identified within days or weeks depending on the pathogen. This is important in choosing the right therapy.
In individual cases further investigations are used, such as an inspection of the skin by means of UV light (Wood light lamp). Under this light, certain dermatophytes can be recognized.
Tinea corporis: treatment
The therapy of tinea corporis depends on the extent of the infection. Most of the tinea corporis infection is superficial and not so extensive, so that an external (topical) treatment is sufficient. For example, creams, solutions, gels or powders with antimycotic active substances, ie active substances which are effective against fungi, are used. These include miconazole, clotrimazole and terbinafine. The medication is applied over several weeks – depending on the extent of tinea corporis.
In case of extensive tinea corporis or if the topical treatment fails, the patients must take an antifungal drug in tablet form (systemic therapy). This is necessary even with deep tinea corporis. Mostly, this systemic therapy is combined with topical treatment: so the tablets have to be used for a shorter time, which also reduces the risk of side effects.
In children and pregnant and nursing women with tinea corporis, the doctor will be particularly careful in the choice of therapy, because these patient groups may not use some drugs.
Tinea corporis: disease course and prognosis
Tinea corporis, like other fungal infections, requires a lot of patience in therapy: mushrooms are persistent, which is why you should be very consistent in the use of antifungals. The period recommended by the doctor should always be followed. If you stop the therapy because too early, the Tinea corporis in many cases back.