DermaTechRx Research Center

Posts Tagged ‘fungus’

Tinea is the fungus that causes ringworm, jock itch and athlete’s foot or in medical terms tinea corporis, tinea cruris and tinea pedis respectively. These infections are typically not serious, but they can be extremely uncomfortable. They can be contracted by touching or contact with an infected person, from damp surfaces such as shower floors, or even from a pet.

Tinea corporis, is the name given to a fungus infection of the skin also called “ringworm of the body,” and often affects children and adults who live in hot, humid climates. The typical appearance of this infection is a circular plaque with a well outlined border. Since tinea corporis can be asymptomatic, it can spread rapidly among children and in day-care and school settings.  It may be spread 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 the animal has rubbed. They often develop into a ring. This kind of tinea usually clears up with appropriate creams.  If the condition was transferred by an animal, even if it has no signs of a skin problem the animal will need to be treated also.

Tinea cruris is usually referred to as “jock itch,” because as this condition implies, it causes itching or a burning sensation in areas of the groin, thigh skin folds, or anus.  It may involve the inner thighs and genital areas. 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.

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. Tinea cruris is often treated with antifungal drugs topically applied. Topical therapy is adequate in most patients with tinea cruris.  Oral therapy is the preferred treatment in cases where the infection spreads to the lower thighs or buttocks,. Customarily creams containing anti-fungal agents work by deterring the fungi from producing a substance called ergosterol, which is a necessary part of fungal cell membranes. If ergosterol synthesis is completely or partially blocked, the cell is no longer able to produce an intact cell membrane. This effectively kills the fungus.

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. Ringworm is a skin infection caused by a fungus that can affect the scalp, skin, fingers, toenails or feet.

Tinea corporis pregnancy concern is that women of childbearing age are more likely to develop tinea corporis as a result of their greater frequency of contact with infected children. Children are particularly vulnerable to tinea corporis infection and can pass it effortlessly to other children.  Adults are not immune and can also become infected.  Tinea corporis occurs in both men and women.  Persons who fall in the high risk category are farmers and people who work with animals that have fur.

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.  Dermatophyte infections do not result in significant mortality, but they can greatly affect quality of life.

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.

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.

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.

A fungal infection of the scalp by mold-like fungi is called tinea capitis. Tinea capitis is also called ringworm of the scalp.  This is a skin disorder that affects children almost exclusively.  Fungal organisms known as dermatophytes cause scalp ringworm by superficially infecting certain kinds of tissue found in hair, skin, and nails. It can be persistent and very contagious. Symptoms may consist of itching, scaly, and inflamed balding areas on the scalp. Oral antifungal medications are required to treat the infection.

A health care provider may suspect scalp ringworm by the tinea capitis symptoms on the scalp but tests should be done to confirm the tinea capitis diagnosis.  Tests may include skin lesion biopsy with microscopic examination or culture or a Wood’s lamp test to confirm a fungal scalp infection.

Most dermatophytes do not fluoresce. There are exceptions.  Two of those exceptions are zoophilic dermatophytes. Zoonotic means the disease can be passed from animals to humans.  Cats are more likely to be infected of all animals.  The skin changes in cats are very similar to those of affected people, but cats can carry the infection without exhibiting obvious signs.  It is sometimes hard to tell the source of the fungus.  Microsporum canis and Microsporum andoui are zoonotic minor causes fluoresce a blue-green color. A Wood’s light examination can also help to differentiate erythrasma caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium minutissimum from tinea cruris.  The former fluoresces coral-red and the latter does not fluoresce.

The Wood’s light examination can be helpful in evaluating the scope of infection, identifying areas for sampling and determining treatment response when the tinea capitis diagnosis is positive. The examination can also be helpful for examining the contacts of an infected person.

Microscopic examination is fundamental to the office diagnosis of any tinea infection. A biopsy is scraped from an active area of the lesion, placed in a drop of potassium hydroxide solution and examined by microscope. The examination is highly sensitive and specific for dermatophyte identification but can be done quickly and easily,

If hyphae are identified in fungal infections and if pseudohyphae or yeast forms are seen in Candida or Pityrosporum infections, microscopy is positive. A positive examination is adequate to justify starting treatment.  Species identification does not usually influence treatment choices.

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, diagnosed and treated.

Tinea capitis (scalp ringworm) is a very common fungal infection among children throughout the world.  Fungal organisms known as dermatophytes cause scalp ringworm by superficially infecting certain kinds of tissue found in hair, skin, and nails. This forms the crusty, scaly patches related with scalp ringworm.

In the United States, an estimated 3-8% of the population is affected by scalp 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.

Children from four to fourteen years are the most likely to develop ringworm of the scalp, although it can occasionally appear in adults.  Scalp 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 suffering from weakened immune systems, such as those with afflictions like diabetes, AIDS, or cancer.

Some of the symptoms of tinea capitis scalp ringworm to watch for are bald patched areas, where hair that has broken off from the scalp, 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 tinea capitis (scalp ringworm) by the appearance of the scalp but tests should be done to confirm the diagnosis.  Tests may include 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. Shampoo the scalp regularly, especially after visiting a salon or barber shop.  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.

Tinea is the fungus that causes ringworm, jock itch and athlete’s foot or in medical terms tinea corporis, tinea cruris and tinea pedis respectively. These infections are typically not serious, but they can be extremely uncomfortable. They can be contracted by touching or contact with an infected person, from damp surfaces such as shower floors, or even from a pet.

Tinea corporis, is the name given to a fungus infection of the skin also called “ringworm of the body,” and often affects children and adults who live in hot, humid climates. The typical appearance of this infection is a circular plaque with a well outlined border. Since tinea corporis can be asymptomatic, it can spread rapidly among children and in day-care and school settings.  It may be spread 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 the animal has rubbed. They often develop into a ring. This kind of tinea usually clears up with appropriate creams.  If the condition was transferred by an animal, even if it has no signs of a skin problem the animal will need to be treated also.

Tinea cruris is usually referred to as “jock itch,” because as this condition implies, it causes itching or a burning sensation in areas of the groin, thigh skin folds, or anus.  It may involve the inner thighs and genital areas. 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.

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. Tinea cruris is often treated with antifungal drugs topically applied. Topical therapy is adequate in most patients with tinea cruris.  Oral therapy is the preferred treatment in cases where the infection spreads to the lower thighs or buttocks,. Customarily creams containing anti-fungal agents work by deterring the fungi from producing a substance called ergosterol, which is a necessary part of fungal cell membranes. If ergosterol synthesis is completely or partially blocked, the cell is no longer able to produce an intact cell membrane. This effectively kills the fungus.

Tinea versicolor ringworm is a fungal infection of the skin in humans and domestic animals such as sheep and cattle.  Fungi are organisms that live by eating plant or animal material. Those that cause parasitic infection feed on keratin, the material found in the outer layer of skin, hair, and nails. These fungi flourish best on moist, warm skin. This condition has been prevalent since before 1906. Ringworm was treated with compounds of mercury at that time. Hairy areas of skin were often considered too difficult to treat, so the scalp was treated with x-rays.  That procedure was then followed up with antiparasitic medication.

Recent estimates show up to twenty percent of the population is infected by ringworm or one of the other dermatophytoses. It is very common among people who play sports, particularly wrestling. Misdiagnosis and treatment of ringworm with a topical steroid can result in tinea incognito, a circumstance where ringworm fungus will grow without the usual typical features like a distinctive raised border.

Tinea versicolor ringworm is often confused with other common rashes. It is also known as pityriasis versicolor. The following rashes can be easily confused with tinea versicolor are Vitiligo, Pityriasis alba, Seborrheic Dermatitis, Syphilis, Pityriasis Rosea, Nummular eczema, and Guttate psoriasis.

Tinea versicolor can occur at any age, but is most prevalent in adolescence and early adulthood. This is a time when the sebaceous glands are more active.  It is also more common in tropical and semi-tropical climates. Tinea versicolor has a recurrence rate of 80% after two years.

Pityrosporum orbiculare and Pityrosporum ovale, are the yeasts that are a part of the common skin flora. They dwell in the stratum corneum and hair follicles and have an attraction for oil glands. Certain factors can trigger these yeasts to convert to a pathogenic form known as Malassezia furfur, which produces the rash of tinea versicolor. Predisposing factors include:

•           Cushing’s disease

•           Removal of the adrenal gland

•           Pregnancy

•           Malnutrition

•           Burns

•           Steroid therapy

•           Suppressed immune system

•           Oral contraceptives

•           Excess heat

•           Excess humidity

Three different tests for tinea versicolor are used in diagnosis of the infection.  They are:

•           A KOH test shows a characteristic “spaghetti and meatballs” appearance under the microscope.

•           Under a Wood’s light examination, the yeast appears pale yellow.

•           A fungal culture can be performed after adding oil to the culture medium, but it is rarely necessary.

One frequently asked question heard is “Is Tinea versicolor contagious or not?”  The answer is “not” and you cannot catch it from anyone. This micro-organism normally dwells in small harmless numbers on everyone’s skin. It is the uncontrolled growth or overgrowth of this yeast that causes the affliction.

Tinea versicolor pronounced “TIH-nee-uh VER-sih-kuh-ler” is a fungal infection that causes many small, flat spots on the skin. These areas can be flaky or mildly itchy. The multitude of small spots or patches may blend into large patchy areas, usually on the chest and back, the more oily parts of the upper body. The coloration of the spots can vary and be either lighter or darker than the skin around them.

Tinea versicolor is caused by a fungus.  This fungus lives all around us, including on the skin. Basic everyday washing and showering normally removes dead skin and fungi, which is more than one fungus. What happens in hot and humid weather, such as during the summer or in tropical areas, is that fungi may grow more rapidly.  As these fungi multiply, their natural balance on the skin is disturbed and the normal color of the skin changes and then spots appear.

The various color changes happen because tinea versicolor can cause both light and dark discoloration of the skin.  Most commonly the spots will be shades lighter in color than normal skin. This is because the fungus produces a chemical that blocks skin pigment production. After the fungus is treated the light discoloration will remain for several weeks, possibly months until re-pigmentation has occurred.

On occasion the yeast produces inflammation in the skin that allows an over abundance of pigment to be produced.  When this happens the rash will be darker than normal skin, but it too will revert back to normal color after several months.

People with oily skin, especially teens and young adults, are at risk and are more likely to get tinea versicolor. It does not spread from person to person.  Tinea versicolor contagious, no it is a non-contagious fungal infection.  There are other things that increase a persons’ chance of getting tinea versicolor and they include having an abnormal immune system, which can occur during pregnancy or from some illnesses. Using certain medicines, such as corticosteroids, antibiotics, or birth control pills can also be a factor. Tinea versicolor usually is less likely to occur as you age, when the skin becomes drier and less oily.