Dermatophytosis overview
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Syed Hassan A. Kazmi BSc, MD [2]
Overview
Dermatophytosis is a fungal infection of the skin. It is common in most adult people. Its seriousness spreads according to different people. It gets worse during summer and its symptoms alleviate during the winter, and some of those people are infected by dermatophytosis all year. There are three kinds of dermatophytosis: erosive type, blister, and keratinization.
Historical Perspective
Dermatophytosis has been prevalent since 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 antiparasitic medication.
Classification
A number of different species of fungi are involved. Dermatophytes of the genera Trichophyton and Microsporum are the most common causative agents. These fungi attack various parts of the body and lead to the conditions listed below. Note that the Latin names are for the conditions (disease patterns), not the agents that cause them.
Causes
Fungi thrive in moist, warm areas, such as locker rooms, tanning beds, swimming pools and in skin folds. Ringworm is common, especially among children but it may affect people of all ages. It is caused by a fungus, not a worm like the name suggests. Ringworm is more likely in people who are often wet (such as from sweating) and from minor injuries to the skin, scalp, or nails. Ringworm can spread easily from one person to another by either touching someone who has the infection, or coming into contact with items contaminated by the fungus, such as combs, unwashed clothing, and shower or pool surfaces. A person can also catch ringworm from pets that carry the fungus (cats are common carriers).
Epidemiology and Demographics
Dermatophytosis is common in adults, with up to 20 percent of the population having one of these infections at any given moment.
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Dermatophytosis tends to get worse during summer, with symptoms alleviating during the winter. Skin medicine usually treats ringworm within 4 weeks. If the ringworm infection is severe or it does not respond well to self-care, it will usually respond quickly to antifungal pills.
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
Infections on the body may give rise to enlarged, raised red rings of ringworm. Infections on the skin of the feet may cause athlete's foot and infections in the groin may result in jock itch. Involvement of the nails is termed onychomycosis, and they may thicken, discolor, and finally crumble or fall off.
Other Diagnostic Studies
Most of the time, ringworm can be diagnosed by looking at the skin. The fungus may glow when skin is examined with a blue light (called a Wood's lamp) in a dark room.