Tinea Symptoms and Treatment

• A common fungal infection caused by dermatophytes; It appears in the form of a ring and a raised edge that is scaly on the skin.
• This fungus grows in a warm and humid climate; Therefore, it is common in the tropics.
• Because of its distinctive sign it can be observed in the body; Where they appear in most areas of the skin.
• Rarely, a fungal infection can spread below the surface of the skin to cause serious illness.
• Maintaining personal hygiene and the cleanliness of the place, clothing and tools is one of the most important means of prevention.

Tinea Definition:

• Touching an infected person.
• Touching objects that have been used by an infected person (such as: towels, clothes, bed linen, or chairs) that have been used by a person with ringworm.
• Some pets that can get a fungal infection (such as: dogs and cats), especially for children.
• Farm animals (livestock), when infected, may be touching the farm gate; Where infected animals pass enough for infection to occur.
• Soil. In rare cases, fungi can be found in the soil, and infection can occur upon contact with soil.

Tinea Diagnosis:

• The spots appear round and flat with raised, scaly borders.
• Patches on light skin, tend to be red or pink.
• The spots on darker skin are usually brown or gray.
• The spots can grow slowly, increase in size and appear on more areas of the body.
• The spots can itch intensely.

Athlete's foot Symptoms:

• Itching and burning sensation in the soles of the feet and between the toes.
• Dry, scaly skin that usually begins between the toes and may spread to the bottom of the feet, the sides, or both.
• Blisters, cracked, painful skin, bleeding and thick patches of red, scaly skin.
• The skin between the toes turns white and becomes tender and smooth.
• Having an unpleasant odor.
• a rash on one or both hands; Because touching the affected foot can spread the infection to the hands.

Tinea Manuum (hands) Symptoms:

• Dry skin on the palm of the hand.
• Deep cracks in the palm of the hand.
• The infection may spread to the toenails.
• Ring-shaped spots on the back of the hand.

Tinea Unguium (Nails) Symptoms:

• It can affect one or more nails.
• It begins with a thickening of the tissue under the nail.
• Change in the color and thickness of the nails.
• Crumbled nails.
• Nail disappearance.
• Toenails are more susceptible to infection than toenails.
• It often affects people who have tinea pedis for a long time.

Tinea Barbae (beard) Symptoms:

• Speak to people in contact with infected animals, such as farmers and ranchers
• Severe redness and swelling.
• Pus-filled bumps.
• Hair loss (the hair often comes back when ringworm is treated).
• Enlarged lymph nodes.

Tinea Capitis (herpes tonsurans ) Symptoms:

• Hair loss in the affected area with the appearance of thick, scaly patches on the scalp.
• Black dots in the balding area.
• sores with pus
• Swollen lymph nodes.
• severe itching.

Tinea Risk Factors:

• Living in a warm climate.
• Having a person or pet in the house with a fungal infection.
• Sharing clothing, bedding, or towels with someone who has a fungal infection.
• Practicing types of sports that require physical contact, such as: Judo and Karate.
• Sweating while wearing tight or restrictive clothing.
• Shower in public restrooms, changing rooms, or public lockers (such as those in sports clubs and stadiums).
• Weakening of the body's immune system due to disease (such as: diabetes, HIV "AIDS", or leukemia).

Tinea Treatment:

• antifungal medications; The medication is prescribed in different forms (such as creams, ointments, and pills), and what you use depends on the area of the body that needs treatment.
• Antifungal pills prescribed by a doctor if ringworm has spread to more than one place.
• If the infection causes abscesses, it may require surgical intervention to drain them outside the body.
• Maintaining cleanliness of the infected area of the body.

Tinea Complications:

• Maintain personal hygiene by washing hands frequently.
• Maintain the cleanliness of common yards and rooms, especially in schools, child care centers, gyms, and changing rooms.
• When practicing sports, especially those that require physical contact, you should shower immediately after training or a match.
• Maintaining the cleanliness of the sports uniform and washing it after completing the exercise, and maintaining the cleanliness of the sports shoes used and washing them frequently.
• keeping the body cool and dry, and avoiding long-term wearing of thick clothing in warm, humid weather; To avoid excessive sweating.
• dry the body well after bathing and before getting dressed; Because fungi multiply in damp, dark places.
• Avoid infected animals, as the infection often looks like a patch of skin with missing fur.
• Do not share personal items such as clothes, towels, combs, hair brushes, sports equipment, or others. Not borrowing it from others.

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