What Can You Do To Prevent Tinea Infections and Why?

Discussion Superficial fungal infections are very common. “Dermatophytes are molds that can invade the stratum corneum of the skin or other keratinized tissues derived from the epidermis, such as hair and nails. Organisms most commonly affect the scalp, feet, groin and nails.” Dermatophytes can be anthropophilic (human to human transmission), zoophilic (animal to human transmission) or geophilic (fomite to human transmission). Zoophilic dermatophytes are usually uncommon sources of human infection. Microsporum canis is the most common zoophilic dermatophyte and it can infect humans with close contact but this is less common than anthropophilic organisms. A common example of a geophilic dermatophyte is Microsporum gypseum and again it is not very commonly spread. Human to human or self-inoculation is the most common way tinea infections are spread. Anthropophilic organisms commonly encountered include Trichophyton rubrum, Triphophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton tonsurans, and Epidermophyton floccosum. A review of common tinea infections and presentations can be found here Learning Point Tinea tends to affect the glabrous skin or skin without prominent hair. The primary method of transmission between people is contact with infected desquamated skin scales and also infected hair. Molds tend to grow in warm humid environments, so it is not surprising that areas of the bodies with these characteristics are commonly affected. Similarly, environmental exposure such ...
Source: PediatricEducation.org - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Uncategorized Source Type: news