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Posts Tagged ‘tinea crusis’

Ringworm Athlete’s Foot

Tinea is the fungus that causes ringworm, athlete’s foot and jock itch. Even though, they can be extremely uncomfortable these infections are usually not serious.    Ringworm infection is a red skin rash that forms a ring around normal-looking skin.  Touching an infected person, damp surfaces such as shower floors, or even pets can easily pass on the infection.  Conventionally ringworm athlete’s foot is passed on from damp places where people often walk barefoot, such as showers or bathhouses, Athlete’s foot or tinea pedis, in medical terms, is a fungal infection of the skin.  This infection shows such symptoms as scaling, flaking, and itching of affected areas.   While normally affecting the feet, the condition can spread to other areas of the body.  These include but are not limited to the groin.

Ringworm Athlete’s foot and other such maladies are caused by 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. Anyone can get it but as the name suggests, athlete’s foot is common in male athletes. Using public showers and locker rooms will greatly increase the odds of a person getting Athlete’s foot. Fungi grow best in steamy locker rooms filled with damp towels, sweaty workout clothes, and wet floors.  While extremely annoying, athlete’s foot usually is not serious, but something to be concerned about is coming down with a secondary bacterial infection that can sometimes accompany the fungal infection.  These secondary complications may develop as such things as breaks in the skin, open sores, ulcers.
There are various signs and symptoms of athlete’s foot but chances are they will not all appear together. The following are some of those signs itching, stinging itching and burning between your toes, itching, stinging and burning on the soles of your feet, itchy blisters, cracking and peeling skin, especially between your toes and on the soles of your feet, excessive dryness of the skin on the bottoms or sides of the feet, toenails that are thick, crumbly, ragged, discolored or pulling away from the nail bed.  Good hygiene is important in the prevention of Athlete’s foot.   It can be treated by an assortment of pharmaceutical and other treatments.

Jock Itch Tinea Cruris

Jock itch, Tinea cruris, Tinea of the groin are all phrases referring what is commonly called “jock itch”  Affecting people around the world, Jock itch is just one of superficial fungal infections of the skin, known as dermatophytes. These 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.  Living there undetected they feed on the dead skin cells called keratin.  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.

As many as one in five Americans have a dermatophyte infection at any particular time. 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. In a large part Tinea Cruris begins as Tinea Pedis and is spread to the groin area unsuspectingly. Keeping feet clean and dry, not sharing socks or contaminated articles and wearing shower shoes goes a long way to keeping Athlete’s Foot from spreading to the genitial area.   Most experts will recommend boiling the underclothing or contaminated garments thoroughly to minimize the possibility of re-infection.

Humidity and moisture play contributing roles in the contraction of any fungal infection. The way the infection spreads is similar to the growth patterns that are seen in molds, mildew, and similar plant species.  Jock itch usually begins with mild sporadic itching in the groin. The itching can get progressively worse and become quite unbearable. The itching rash is usually found on both sides of the groin and affects the skin folds, the inner thighs and genitals. Direct skin contact raises the chances of contracting a fungal infection. Humans are far more likely to contract a fungal infection or ringworm from places like a school, playground, gym, or shower facilities.

Tinea of the groin, Jock itch or Tinea cruris 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 be confused with Tinea cruris include yeast infections, psoriasis, and intertrigo, a chafing rash which results from the skin rubbing against the skin. Persons with atopic dermatitis, which is a persistent inherited skin affliction characterized by itchy, inflamed rashes on the skin may also be more susceptible to contracting jock itch.

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.

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.

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.

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.