Dermatophytosis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dermatophytosis |
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| Synonyms | Ringworm, tinea |
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| Ringworm on a human leg | |
| Symptoms | Red, itchy, scaly, circular skin rash |
| Causes | Fungal infection |
| Risk factors | Using public showers, contact sports, excessive sweating, contact with animals, obesity, poor immune function |
| Diagnostic method | Based on symptoms, microbial culture, microscopic examination |
| Similar conditions | Dermatitis, psoriasis, pityriasis rosea, tinea versicolor |
| Prevention | Keep the skin dry, not walking barefoot in public, not sharing personal items |
| Treatment | Antifungal creams (clotrimazole, miconazole) |
| Frequency | 20% of the population |
Dermatophytosis, also known as tinea and ringworm, is a fungal infection of the skin (a dermatomycosis), that may affect skin, hair, and nails. Typically it results in a red, itchy, scaly, circular rash. Hair loss may occur in the area affected. Symptoms begin four to fourteen days after exposure. The types of dermatophytosis are typically named for area of the body that they affect. Multiple areas can be affected at a given time.
About 40 types of fungus can cause dermatophytosis. They are typically of the Trichophyton, Microsporum, or Epidermophyton type. Risk factors include using public showers, contact sports such as wrestling, excessive sweating, contact with animals, obesity, and poor immune function. Ringworm can spread from other animals or between people. Diagnosis is often based on the appearance and symptoms. It may be confirmed by either culturing or looking at a skin scraping under a microscope.
Prevention is by keeping the skin dry, not walking barefoot in public, and not sharing personal items. Treatment is typically with antifungal creams such as clotrimazole or miconazole. If the scalp is involved, antifungals by mouth such as fluconazole may be needed.
Dermatophytosis has spread globally, and up to 20% of the world's population may be infected by it at any given time. Descriptions of ringworm date back to ancient history.
Contents
Causes
Fungi thrive in moist, warm areas, such as locker rooms, tanning beds, swimming pools, and skin folds; accordingly, those that cause dermatophytosis may be spread by using exercise machines that have not been disinfected after use, or by sharing towels, clothing, footwear, or hairbrushes.
Diagnosis
Dermatophyte infections can be readily diagnosed based on the history, physical examination, and potassium hydroxide (KOH) microscopy.
Prevention
Advice often given includes:
- Avoid sharing clothing, sports equipment, towels, or sheets.
- Wash clothes in hot water with fungicidal soap after suspected exposure to ringworm.
- Avoid walking barefoot; instead wear appropriate protective shoes in locker rooms and sandals at the beach.
- Avoid touching pets with bald spots, as they are often carriers of the fungus.
History
Dermatophytosis has been prevalent since before 1906, at which time ringworm was treated with compounds of mercury or sometimes sulfur or iodine. Hairy areas of skin were considered too difficult to treat, so the scalp was treated with X-rays and followed up with antifungal medication. Another treatment from around the same time was application of Araroba powder.
