Dermatophytoses - Symptoms & Treatment

Dermatophytoses (also known as Ringworm and Tinea) are fungal infections of keratin in the skin and nails. Most of the dermatophyte infections (64%) are found in the adult age group of 11-50 years. Dermatophyte rarely infect neonates aged infants. Dermatophytes are fungi that require keratin for growth. These fungi can cause superficial infections of the skin, hair, and nails. Dermatophytes are classified in three genera Epidermophyton, Trichophyton and Microsporum. They are also identified based on their origin. Because dermatophytes require keratin for growth, they are restricted to hair, nails, and superficial skin. Thus, these fungi do not infect mucosal surfaces. Dermatophytoses are referred to as "tinea" infections. The inflammatory response is usually characterized by a greater degree of redness and scaling at the edge of the lesion or, occasionally, blister formation. Dermatophytoses is still one of the major skin diseases prevalent all over the world and its prevalence varies in India. The incubation period for Trichophyton rubrum can be as short as two days in neonates. Transmission is person-to-person, animal-to-person, and rarely, soil-to-person.

Causes of Dermatophytoses

The common causes and risk factor's of Dermatophytoses include the following:

• Dermatophytes, which are among the most common infections encountered in medicine.
• Have a poor hygiene, prolonged wetness of the skin (such as from sweating), and minor skin or scalp injuries.
• Direct contact with someone who has the condition.
• The combination of warm weather and tight clothing, which encourages fungus growth.
• Direct contact with contaminated items such as combs, hats, clothing, or similar surfaces.

Symptoms of Dermatophytoses

Some sign and symptoms related to Dermatophytoses are as follows:

• Itching in the groin area.
• Round, scaly lesions on the scalp.
• Hair loss on the scalp.
• lesions areas may be red or swollen (inflammed).
• Sometimes pus-filled lesions on the scalp.
• The infection is usually seen on the trunk, arm, hands, nails, and the groin and upper thighs.

Treatment of Dermatophytoses

Here is list of the methods for treating Dermatophytoses:

• There are many antifungal agents available to apply to the skin for the treatment of tinea versicolor. Over-the-counter (OTC) remedies include clotrimazole and miconazole.
• Use of a special shampoo (to help eliminate the fungus).
• If a kerion is present (a large, tender, swollen lesion), your child's physician may order additional medications, such as steroids, to help reduce the swelling.
• Griseofulvin (Fulvicin, Grisactin) may be required at high doses due to poor absorption.
• A single dose of ketoconazole (brand name Nizoral) or five daily doses of itraconazole (brand name Sporanox) are two therapies your doctor can prescribe.
• Selenium sulfide (Selsun, Exsel) 2.5 percent lotion.

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