Tinea Capitis Kerion
Tinea Capitis Kerion
Tinea capitis otherwise known as scalp ringworm is a dermatophyte infection of the scalp. With certain dermatophyte infections like Tinea Capitis kerions are occasionally formed. A kerion is a large, boggy, inflammatory scalp mass caused by a severe inflammatory reaction to the dermatophyte. A kerion may have pustules and crusting and can be mistaken for an abscess. A kerion may also cause scarring and hair loss.
Tinea capitis symptoms and signs vary by the area affected for example the skin, hair, nails etc. Organism virulence and host susceptibility and hypersensitivity determine severity. Most often, there is little or no inflammation; asymptomatic or mildly itching lesions with a scaling, slightly raised border fade and recur sporadically. Occasionally, inflammation is more severe and shows up as sudden vesicular or bullous disease. This is normally of the foot. It may also occur as an inflamed boggy lesion of the scalp called a kerion.
Tinea capitis causes the gradual appearance of round patches of dry scale, alopecia, or both. T. tonsurans infection causes what is called black dot ringworm. With this infection the hair shafts break at the scalp surface. M. audouinii infection causes patch ringworm. The hair shafts break above the surface, leaving short stubs with this particular type of infection. Tinea capitis is less likely to appear as drawn out scaling, like dandruff, or in a spreading pustular patte
What is the most probable explanation for the higher occurrence of Tinea Capitis in the African-American population is that the higher prevalence is more likely due to infection and re-infection within families, communities, and schools. Ringworm of the scalp is most commonly caused by the fungus Trichophyton tonsurans. Trichophyton tonsurans is the most common cause in the US, followed by Microsporum canis and M. audouinii. This fungus is easily passed from one person to another. It is also the cause of more than 90 out of every 100 cases of ringworm of the scalp found in both North and Central America.
Children are far more susceptible to the fungal infection and more likely than adults to develop a tinea capitis infection. It is not unheard of that even after exposure to fungi causing ringworm adults do not develop an infection. Adults can be carriers for ringworm, as well as children, but is less likely that the children carry the infection but show no symptoms. Carriers can pass ringworm on to others but do not have symptoms of the disease.
Tinea Corporis Contagious
Tinea Corporis Contagious
The fungi transmitted primarily through contact with animals and is termed zoophile is usually responsible for Tinea corporis contagious infection. 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. Zoophile is the fungi category in which the infection is passed by animals. There are two other categories of fungi that can cause infections of this type, geophile or fungi from soil sources and anthropophile, which are fungi from humans.
This highly contagious condition can be contracted by coming into direct contact with someone who is infected, or if contaminated items are touched. Because it is highly contagious the fungal infection can be passed from animal to person or person to person easily through contaminated items like clothing, shower or pool surfaces and toiletry items. The term tinea corporis is the medical term for ringworm, which refers to round or oval red scaly patches on the skin. Tinea corporis affects exposed areas but could also spread from other infected sites. Non-fungal conditions that resemble tinea corporis and could be mistaken for the infection include afflictions like impetigo, Seborrhoeic dermatitis, Psoriasis, Discoid eczema, Lichen simplex, Contact allergic dermatitis and Pityriasis rosea.
Ringworm or Tinea corporis infection forms a ring-shaped raised red rash in humans, but it is not the common appearance in animals. Ringworm infections in animals can take on any form. While ringworm can be passed from animals to humans, cats are the most likely of all animals to be infected and pass it on to human contacts. The possible spread of Tinea corporis to humans can also come from other animals, including horses, camels, sheep and cattle. Humans who have direct and repeated contact with animals have a much higher incidence of contracting the fungal infection this way. They are also far more likely to contract a fungal infection or ringworm of the anthropophile variety from places like a school, playground, gym, or shower facilities.
Children seem to be the most vulnerable to Tinea corporis skin infection and can easily pass it around to other children. This does not mean that adults are not immune and they can also become infected. The best way to prevent Tinea corporis infections is by keeping the skin clean and dry, changing socks and underwear each day, and wearing some type of shower shoe or sandal when in public showers or locker rooms.
Tinea Corporis Tinea Cruris
Tinea Corporis Tinea Cruris
Tinea corporis is the name given to a fungus infection of the skin also called “ringworm of the body”. This condition often has an impact on children and adults who live in warm, damp environments like tropical climates. The typical appearance of this infection is a circular plaque with a well outlined border. Since tinea corporis can be contagious and it can spread rapidly among children and in settings like day-care centers and schools. It may be passed from person to person, from contact with an infected animal, most often a cat, or from exposure to fungus in the soil. Itchy red scaly patches come up anywhere skin contact has been made. They often develop into a ring-like formation.
Tinea Corporis, Tinea cruris and other tinea infections of this type can usually be cleared up with topical creams. If the infection was spread by an animal, even if it shows no signs of a skin infection treatment will need to be administered to the animal also. Tinea corporis is a superficial dermatophyte infection. Ringworm is the more common term used for Tinea corporis infection with is caused by dermatophytes. Dermatophyte infections can be distinguished by either inflammatory or non-inflammatory lesions on the skin. Tinea corporis looks like a rash that forms one-half to one-inch, ring-shaped, pink or red patches with a clear center. A slightly itchy rash may accompany the other symptoms.
Jock itch or Tinea cruris appears around the groin area but not normally on the penis and develops into a red, ring-like rash. Jock itch can be unbearably itchy and form small, painful blisters. This type of ringworm can cause itching or a burning sensation in areas of the groin, thigh skin folds, or anus. It may also affect the inner thighs and genital areas. The itchy red patches will spread in the warm moist areas of the body. Variations of red, tan, or brown coloration may appear in the infected areas. Flaking, rippling, peeling, or cracking skin will also be present. Unlike yeast infections, tinea cruris generally does not involve the scrotum or the penis. It is very common and affects men more often than women and rarely affects children.
Tinea corporis on the other hand occurs in both men and women. Women of childbearing age are more likely to develop tinea corporis as a result of their greater frequency of contact with infected children. Dermatophyte infections can be a nuisance but normally do not present any serious or life threatening repercussions.
