cutaneous fungal infection

Question 1

what are fungal infection of the skin known as?

Answer 1

ringworm
tinea
dermatophytosis

Question 2

ringworm affecting the scalp

Answer 2

tinea capitis

Question 3

ringworm affecting feet

Answer 3

tinea pedis - athletes foot

Question 4

ringworm of the groin

Answer 4

tinea cruris

Question 5

ringworm on the body

Answer 5

tinea corporis

Question 6

fungal nail infection

Answer 6

onychomycosis

Question 7

most common type of fungus

Answer 7

trichophyton

Question 8

how is the fungus spread?

Answer 8

contact with infected individuals, animals or soil

Question 9

how does ringworm present?

Answer 9

itchy rash
erythematous, scaly, well demarcated
one or several circular rings

Question 10

how does tinea capitis present?

Answer 10

well demarcated hair loss

itching, dryness, erythema

Question 11

how does tinea pedis present?

Answer 11

white or red flaky, cracked, itchy patches between toes
skin may split and bleed
sharing changing rooms

Question 12

investigation

Answer 12

diagnosis clinical

microscopy and culture of scrapings

Question 13

treatment

Answer 13

antifungal creams - clotrimazole
anti-fungal shampoo eg ketoconazole
oral antifungal - fluconazole
mild topical steroid

Question 14

treating fungal nail infections

Answer 14

amorolfine nail lacquer for 6-12 months

oral terbinafine

Question 15

advice given

Answer 15

wear loose breathable clothing
keep affected area dry and clean 
avoid sharing towels, clothes and bedding
avoid scratching 
dry clean socks

Question 16

tinea incognito

Answer 16

extensive and less well recognised

use of steroids to treat initial fungal infection

Question 17

when does tinea incognito usually occur?

Answer 17

ringworm misdiagnosed dermatitis
topical steroid given
dampen immune response
makes fungus spread