Discussion 2 – N522PE-20A Advanced Physical Assessment Course Papers
The term “tinea” exclusively refers to dermatophyte infections. Dermatophyte (tinea) infections are common fungal infections of the skin, hair, and nails and are classified according to body site. Dermatophytes are filamentous fungi that metabolize and subsist upon keratin in the skin, hair and nails.
The major clinical subtypes are tinea capitis (scalp), tinea corporis (skin other than bearded area, feet, groin, face, scalp or beard hair), tinea barbae/sycosis/barber’s itch (beard), tinea pedis (foot), tinea cruris (groin, perineum, and perineal areas), tinea manuum (hands) and tinea unguium (nail) also called dermatophyte onychomycosis.
Dermatophytes cause a red skin rash that forms around a normal-looking skin. Tinea infections or dermatophytosis symptoms include ring-shaped rash, itchy skin, red-scaly cracked skin and hair loss. Clinical picture of the rash is a circular or ovoid in appearance with patches and plaques with sharp marginations and raised erythematous scaly edge which may contain vesicles.
The lesions advance centrifugally from a core, leaving a central clearing and mild residual scaling; this appears as a “ring” like pattern thus the term “ringworm.” Tinea infections are spread by skin-to-skin contact, and usually favors warm weather. Treatment includes topical or oral anti fungal.
Subclassifications of dermatophytosis or tinea infections
Tinea capitis – scaly, itchy red circular bald spot; Rounded, patchy hair loss on scalp, leaving broken-off hairs, pustules, and scales on skin; mostly affects children; can be confused with dandruff or cradle cap.
Tinea barbae – scaly, itchy, red spots on the cheeks, chin, and upper neck; spots may be crusted over or filled with pus, and the affected hair might fall out.
Tinea cruris (jock itch) – scaly, itchy, red spots the moist, warm areas of inner sides of skin folds and thighs; mostly affects boys
Tinea pedis(athlete’s foot) – red, swollen, peeling, itchy skin between the toes; common in adolescents
Tines corporis – hyperpigmented in whites, depigmented in dark-skinned people; on chest, abdomen, back of arms forming multiple circular lesions with clear centers; tinea gladiatorum wrestlers
Tinea unguium – infection of the toenails, and sometimes fingernails; thickened, deformed, and discolored nails instead of a rash.
Tinea manuum – slightly raised red, scaly rash in hands
Tinea versicolor or pityriasis versicolor – caused by a slow-growing fungus (Pityrosporum orbiculare) that is a type of yeast. It is a mild infection that can occur on many parts of the body.
