Tinea Infections, Cutaneous

Description

• Superficial fungal infections of the hair, skin, or nails:
  • Named for location of infection
  • Usually confined to the stratum corneum layer
  • Among the most common diseases worldwide
• Requires keratin for growth, so does not involve mucosa

Etiology

• Dermatophytes:
  • Microsporum
  • Trichophyton
  • Epidermophyton
  • Malassezia furfur, a yeast, is the etiologic agent of tinea versicolor (not a true tinea)
• Trauma or maceration of the skin may allow fungal entry into skin
• Transmission may be person to person, animal to person, or soil to person
• Fomites may play a role as well

• Fungi can be spread from toys and brushes
• Tinea unguium is rare in children and is associated with:
  • Down syndrome
  • Immunosuppression
  • Tinea pedis or capitis