Fungal skin infection – Tinea Corporis or ringworm
Tinea corporis is another type of dermatophyte infection. It is a fungal skin infection that occurs most often at the torso. Surprisingly, it commonly affects the elderly.
Diagnosis:
- Microscopy (20% potassium hydroxide added to skin scrapings to dissolve keratin; hyphae can be observed in the preparation)
- Samples for culture – skin scrapings taken from skin lesions. (Final result of culture may take 6 weeks)
- Skin biopsy
Manifestation:
- Commonly appears an annular plaque with a rim of scaly erythema ( an erythematous papulosquamous patch ? often with central clearing and scale along peripheral advancing border)
- Occasionally presented with polycyclic annuli with mummular plaques (mimic mummular dermatitis)
Management:
- Topical antifungal agent – imidazoles, triazoles, allylamines (most effective treatment)
- Haloprogin, undecylenic acid, ciclopiroxolamine and tolnaftate
- It can be aided with keratolytic agent such as lactic acid 12% cream.
- Oral Griseofulvin 500mg per day ? if systemic therapy required.
Reference:
- Medical Progress Journal, February 2008.
- Harrison?s Manual of medicine. 16th edition.2005.
Tags: antifungal agent, dermatophyte infection, fungal infection, health, potassium hydroxide preparation, ringworm, skin, skin biopsy, skin scrapings, tinea corporis
Technorati Tags: antifungal agent, dermatophyte infection, fungal infection, health, potassium hydroxide preparation, ringworm, skin, skin biopsy, skin scrapings, tinea corporis



disability for gout related arthritis…
I personally agree with your comments, but there will always be some people who may not feel the same….
You are definitely right. All I can say, in medicine, not everything is black and white, some of them is grey in colour..
gouty arthritis…
I cannot agree on everything you say in this article, but perhaps I missed some of the points you were trying to make….
I am looking for some tips to avoid it in the initial stage. How can it be avoided doctors? Also, can the marks be removed completely by treatment?
gouty arthritis…
After reading your article I am left with the feeling that there is more to this topic than I originally thought….
Interesting, I want to know more about why it occurs more in the elderly. Another informative article, thank you.
This is a very nice read.