Tinea Corporis Contagious
Tinea corporis is contagious. The condition can be contracted if you come into direct contact with someone who is infected, or if you touch contaminated items. Tinea corporis (ringworm) is the name used for superficial skin infections of the trunk, legs or arms of a dermatophyte fungus. Dermatophytes are a group of related fungi that infect and live on the top layer of the epidermis. Ringworm is a skin infection caused by this fungus that can affect the scalp, skin, fingers, toenails or feet.
There are three groups of fungi that cause skin infection of this type and can be categorized according to their preferred host sources, geophile or fungi from soil sources, zoophile or fungi from animals, anthropophile or fungi from humans.
The fungi transmitted primarily through contact with animals or zoophile is usually responsible for tinea corporis contagious infection. It is usually transmitted through contact with animals such as dogs, cats, calves, hamsters, and guinea pigs.
Most mammals have at least one type of fungus, and in most instances the animal and fungus coexist without the animal ever manifesting any symptoms of the fungus. This does not mean that the fungus cannot be transmitted to humans.
Children are particularly vulnerable to tinea corporis contagious infection and can pass it effortlessly to other children. Adults are not immune and can also become infected. Persons who fall in the high risk category are farmers and people who work with animals that have fur.
The term tinea corporis is the medical term for ringworm, which refers to round or oval red scaly patches on the skin. They are often seen to be less red and scaly in the middle or even look healed at the center. It is common for one ring to develop inside another preexisting ring.
Tinea corporis may arrive with a sudden onset and then spread rapidly. Or it could be chronic which is a slow broadening of a mild, minimally inflamed, rash. It affects exposed areas but could also spread from other infected sites. Non-fungal conditions that resemble tinea corporis include impetigo, Seborrhoeic dermatitis, Psoriasis, Discoid eczema, Lichen simplex, Contact allergic dermatitis and Pityriasis rosea.
Acute tinea corporis appears as itchy inflamed red patches that may be pustular. Chronic tinea corporis is more likely to be found in sweaty body folds. Acute tinea corporis has a tendency to be hard to treat and will more than likely recur.
Jock Itch Tinea Cruris
Superficial fungal infections of the skin, known as dermatophytes, are some of the most common self-treatable trivial medical conditions. As opposed to more serious fungal conditions, such as candidiasis or sporotrichosis, dermatophytes are limited to the upper layer of skin, where they subsist on the dead skin cells called keratin. In most cases, they are easy to eradicate. Tinea cruris (jock itch) is one of these bothersome dermatophytes that are completely curable with nonprescription products.
Jock itch, tinea cruris, tinea of the groin are all phrases referring what it common called “jock itch” around the world. Tinea of the groin tends to have a reddish-brown color and to extend from the folds of the groin down onto one or both thighs. Other conditions that can mimic tinea cruris include yeast infections, psoriasis, and intertrigo, a chafing rash which results from the skin rubbing against the skin.
Most people who get this rash are in good health. Tinea cruris infections occur more often in teenagers and young adults. However, tinea cruris is more likely to show up if a person has a suppressed immune system or is experiencing hormonal imbalances.
As many as one in five Americans have a dermatophyte infection at any particular time. The overall frequency is exceeded only by acne, when talking about the number of people affected The most common dermatophytic infection in the United States is athlete’s foot or tinea pedis. Tinea corporis and tinea cruris are also quite common. It is difficult to determine the exact incidence of tinea cruris. It is not a reportable disease, and because patients are able to recognize it and treat it until it is cured. In one study, investigators in São Paulo, Brazil, discovered that 13.9% of dermatophytoses were tinea cruris.
Humidity and moisture are contributing factors to contracting a fungal infection. What occurs is similar to the growth patterns that are seen in molds, mildew, and similar plant species. To be more specific they favor warmth and moisture. Clothing that fits tightly is thought to be an influencing factor in tinea cruris. For women, wearing pants instead of dresses is also indicated as a influencing factor. Two outlooks are significant here. The first is the potential for moisture to build-up beneath tight constricting clothing. Another is the risk of wearing clothing that has become contaminated and is not cleaned well. That is why most experts will recommend boiling the underclothing or contaminated garments thoroughly to minimize the possibility of re-infection.
Ringworm Tinea Capitis
Ringworm (tinea capitis) is a very common fungal infection among children around the world. Fungal organisms known as dermatophytes cause ringworm, tinea capitis in medical terms, by casually infecting certain kinds of tissue located in hair, skin, and nails. This forms the crusty, scaly patches associated with ringworm.
In the United States alone, an estimated 3-8% of the population is affected by ringworm. Some people can be carriers of the organism and spread it to others in the household. In other countries, an estimated 9.6% of people are affected, and nearly 40% can be carriers.
The most likely to develop ringworm are children from four to fourteen years old, although it can occasionally appear in adults. Ringworm is seen most frequently in urban areas among people with low incomes living in overcrowded conditions. This disease also tends to be more severe in children with weakened immune systems, this can be caused by things like diabetes, AIDS, or cancer.
Bald, patchy, areas where the hair has broken off from the scalp is just one of the symptoms of ringworm (tinea capitis). Others are itching of the scalp, pus-filled lesions or sores on the scalp, round, scaly lesions on the scalp that may be inflamed, and small black dots on the scalp.
A health care provider may suspect ringworm (tinea capitis) by the appearance of the scalp but tests should be done to confirm the diagnosis. Tests may include a skin lesion biopsy with microscopic examination or culture or a Wood’s lamp test to confirm a fungal scalp infection.
Anti-fungal medications, taken by mouth, are used to treat the infection. There are several different options that are often used to treat this condition. Suggestions for prevention include things like keeping the area clean. Using a medicated shampoo, with ingredients like ketoconazole or selenium sulfide, may reduce the spread of infection. It may be necessary for other family members and pets to be examined and treated.
Tinea capitis may be extremely persistent, and it may return after treatment. It has been found that in many cases it goes away on its own as a person reaches puberty. Good general hygiene is a key factor to prevent and treat tinea infections. Wash or shampoo the scalp regularly, especially after visiting a salon or barber shop for a haircut. Avoid contact with infected pets or people. Do not exchange headgear, combs or brushes, and like items. If necessary make sure they thoroughly cleaned and dried first.
