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.