Overview of Fungal Skin Infections | Tinea Infections

Summary

This educational video delves into tinea infections, commonly known as fungal skin infections. It covers various types of tinea, including athlete's foot (tinea pedis), ringworm (tinea corporis), scalp infection (tinea capitis), jock itch (tinea cruris), and nail infection (tinea unguium). The video explains the clinical presentations, diagnosis through KOH preparation, and treatment options. It highlights special cases like tinea capitis and tinea unguium, which may require oral antifungal treatments or specific topicals like efinaconazole, diverging from typical topical antifungal therapies.

Takeaways

• 🌿 Tinea infections are caused by fungi known as dermatophytes, primarily from the Trichophyton or Epidermophyton genus.
• 🔬 The pathophysiology of tinea involves the fungi metabolizing keratin in the skin, nails, and hair, leading to lesions and other symptoms.
• 📍 Tinea infections are named based on the body location affected, such as tinea corporis for the trunk, tinea pedis for the feet, and so on.
• 🦶 Tinea pedis, or athlete's foot, is the most common tinea infection, presenting as interdigital, hyperkeratotic, or vesiculobullous.
• 🐍 Tinea corporis, also known as ringworm, presents as circular/oval, pruritic, and scaling patches or plaques on the body.
• 🧢 Tinea capitis affects the scalp and can cause hair loss, itching, and scaling, often transmitted through direct contact.
• 🩲 Tinea cruris, or jock itch, is a fungal infection of the groin area, more common in men, and can be associated with sweating, diabetes, obesity, and immunodeficiency.
• 💅 Tinea unguium, or onychomycosis, affects the nails, causing them to become brittle, yellowish, and opaque with debris underneath.
• 🔬 Diagnosis of tinea infections typically involves a KOH preparation of skin scrapings to visualize segmented hyphae, or it may be based on clinical presentation.
• 💊 Treatment usually involves topical antifungals with a '-azole' suffix, but special cases like tinea capitis and tinea unguium may require oral antifungals or specific topical treatments like efinaconazole.

Q & A

What are tinea infections?

Tinea infections, also known as fungal skin infections, are caused by fungi known as dermatophytes, specifically from the genus Trichophyton or Epidermophyton.

How do dermatophytes cause tinea infections?

Dermatophytes cause tinea infections by metabolizing the protein keratin found in our skin, nails, and hair, leading to lesions, scarring, brittleness of nails, and dryness.

What are the different types of tinea infections based on body location?

Tinea infections are named based on the body location they affect: tinea corporis (trunk), tinea pedis (feet), tinea capitis (head), tinea cruris (groin), and tinea unguium (nails).

What is the most common clinical presentation of tinea pedis?

The most common clinical presentation of tinea pedis, or athlete's foot, is interdigital tinea pedis, which is itchy and scaly.

How is tinea corporis different from other tinea infections?

Tinea corporis, also known as ringworm, affects the trunk and is characterized by circular/oval, itchy, and scaling patches or plaques that spread centrifugally.

What is tinea capitis and how is it transmitted?

Tinea capitis is a fungal infection of the head, often leading to hair loss, itching, and scaling. It is transmitted through direct contact.

Why is tinea cruris more common in men than women?

Tinea cruris, or jock itch, is more common in men due to factors like excessive sweating, which is more prevalent in the groin area of men, especially those who are very active.

What are the clinical characteristics of tinea unguium?

Tinea unguium, or onychomycosis, presents as a crumbling, brittle nail with a yellowish, opaque appearance and unusual hyperkeratotic debris underneath the nail.

How are tinea infections typically diagnosed?

Tinea infections are typically diagnosed through a KOH (potassium hydroxide) preparation of skin scrapings, where segmented hyphae are visualized.

What are the treatment options for tinea infections?

Treatment for tinea infections usually involves topical antifungals with a '-azole' suffix, such as fluconazole or butenafine. However, special cases like tinea capitis and tinea unguium may require oral antifungals or specialized topical treatments like efinaconazole.

Why are oral antifungal treatments sometimes avoided for tinea unguium?

Oral antifungal treatments for tinea unguium are sometimes avoided due to potential liver toxicity issues, leading to a preference for topical treatments like efinaconazole.