Dermatophytosis

Dermatophytosis
Other names	Ringworm, tinea
Ringworm on a human leg
Specialty	Dermatology, Internal Medicine
Symptoms	Red, itchy, scaly, circular skin rash[1]
Causes	Fungal infection[2]
Risk factors	Using public showers, contact sports, excessive sweating, contact with animals, obesity, poor immune function[3][4]
Diagnostic method	Based on symptoms, microbial culture, microscopic examination[5]
Differential diagnosis	Dermatitis, psoriasis, pityriasis rosea, tinea versicolor[6]
Prevention	Keep the skin dry, not walking barefoot in public, not sharing personal items[3]
Treatment	Antifungal creams (clotrimazole, miconazole)[7]
Frequency	20% of the population[8]

Dermatophytosis, also known as tinea and ringworm, is a fungal infection of the skin^[2] (a dermatomycosis), that may affect skin, hair, and nails.^[1] Typically it results in a red, itchy, scaly, circular rash.^[1] Hair loss may occur in the area affected.^[1] Symptoms begin four to fourteen days after exposure.^[1] The types of dermatophytosis are typically named for area of the body that they affect.^[2] Multiple areas can be affected at a given time.^[4]

About 40 types of fungus can cause dermatophytosis.^[2] They are typically of the Trichophyton, Microsporum, or Epidermophyton type.^[2] Risk factors include using public showers, contact sports such as wrestling, excessive sweating, contact with animals, obesity, and poor immune function.^[3][4] Ringworm can spread from other animals or between people.^[3] Diagnosis is often based on the appearance and symptoms.^[5] It may be confirmed by either culturing or looking at a skin scraping under a microscope.^[5]

Prevention is by keeping the skin dry, not walking barefoot in public, and not sharing personal items.^[3] Treatment is typically with antifungal creams such as clotrimazole or miconazole.^[7] If the scalp is involved, antifungals by mouth such as fluconazole may be needed.^[7]

Dermatophytosis has spread globally, and up to 20% of the world's population may be infected by it at any given time.^[8] Infections of the groin are more common in males, while infections of the scalp and body occur equally in both sexes.^[4] Infections of the scalp are most common in children while infections of the groin are most common in the elderly.^[4] Descriptions of ringworm date back to ancient history.^[9]