Tinea corporis
Martina Feichter studied biology with an elective subject pharmacy in Innsbruck and also immersed herself in the world of medicinal plants. From there it was not far to other medical topics that still captivate her to this day. She trained as a journalist at the Axel Springer Academy in Hamburg and has been working for since 2007 - first as an editor and since 2012 as a freelance writer.
More about the experts All content is checked by medical journalists.
Tinea corporis (ringworm) is a fungal skin infection caused by filamentous fungi that affects the trunk and extremities. It manifests itself with round, scaly redness. Most of the time, itching is also noticeable. Ringworm is treated with antifungal agents, which are mostly applied externally, sometimes internally. Read everything you need to know about tinea corporis here.
ICD codes for this disease: ICD codes are internationally recognized codes for medical diagnoses. They can be found, for example, in doctor's letters or on certificates of incapacity for work. B37B36B35
Tinea corporis: description
The term tinea (or dermatophytosis) generally refers to an infection of the skin, hair and nails with thread fungi (dermatophytes). In tinea corporis (ringworm), the skin fungus affects the back, abdomen and chest as well as the extremities (excluding the palms and feet) - basically all hairy areas of the skin. The face can also be affected (tinea faciei).
Scaly, itchy reddening of the skin is typical of ringworm. Most of the time, the infection is only superficial. Occasionally, however, it can also spread to deeper layers of the skin.
Tinea corporis pathogens are transmitted directly from person to person or via contaminated objects. Ringworm pathogens can also be infected through infected animals.
Ring mushroom
A special sub-form of Tinea corporis is the "ring fungus" (Tinea corporis gladiatorum). It is caused by a certain thread fungus that penetrates the hair shaft (on the body and also on the head) and triggers an inflammatory reaction here. As a result, the hair shaft breaks off directly on the surface of the skin. The name "Ringer's Mushroom" comes from the fact that this fungal infection is widespread among wrestlers (especially in the USA).
Trichophyton rubrum syndrome
Another form of tinea corporis is Trichophyton rubrum syndrome. This widespread chronic infection affects not only the skin but also the nails and can often persist for decades. After completing therapy, she will return soon. Because the Trichophyton rubrum syndrome occurs in families, there is probably a genetic predisposition to it.
Tokelau
Another special form of skin fungus is tinea imbricata, also known as Tokelau (after islands in the South Pacific), which only occurs in the tropics. It is found almost only in colored ethnic groups such as South Sea Islanders, Chinese, Indians and South American Indians and is very contagious for them. This suggests a corresponding genetic predisposition.
Tinea corporis: symptoms
The type and extent of the symptoms in tinea corporis primarily depend on which pathogen is responsible for the infection and how far the infection has spread. Doctors also differentiate between a superficial and a deep tinea corporis.
Superficial tinea corporis
If the infection predominantly affects superficial layers of the skin, then inflamed, reddened, slightly scaly, rounded patches of skin develop around the hair follicles affected by the fungus. As the infection progresses, several such patches of skin can fuse together and form large, map-shaped shapes. Pustules can develop especially on the edge of the spots. The skin spots fade from the center.
Deep tinea corporis
Superficial tinea corporis can develop into an acute, deep form of infection when the fungus penetrates deeper layers of the skin along the hair. This then leads to stronger inflammatory reactions with the formation of painful, fluid-filled lumps. The neighboring lymph nodes swell. In addition, patients can develop general symptoms such as fever and fatigue. The deep form of the skin fungal infection mainly affects the beard and neck region in men, and especially the forearms and hairy head in children.
Tinea corporis: causes and risk factors
Tinea corporis is caused by filamentous fungi (dermatophytes). These filamentous fungi can be transmitted directly from person to person, indirectly via contaminated objects and soil, and through contact with infected animals (such as cats, cattle).
Different types of filamentous fungi can trigger tinea corporis. The most common cause in Central Europe is Trichophyton rubrum. Of the other filamentous fungi, for example T. mentagrophytes, Microsporum canis and Epidermophyton floccosum are possible causes of ringworm.
Dermatophytes are "horn-loving". They attack the horny layer, hair and nails. In contrast to other fungi, which can cause infections in humans, they do not attack the mucous membranes. If they only colonize the horny layer of the skin, they spread out concentrically from the point of entry. If they also penetrate the hair follicle, they colonize the hair shaft. The incubation period, i.e. the time between infection and the appearance of the first symptoms, is one to two weeks.
There are several factors that generally favor a fungal skin infection. This includes a warm and humid environment, for example from profuse sweating or when swimming. A weakened immune system also promotes fungal infections such as tinea corporis. The weakening of the body's defenses can either be the result of a serious illness (such as HIV) or medication-related (administration of immunosuppressants, for example after an organ transplant).
Tinea corporis: examinations and diagnosis
If you suspect tinea corporis, your family doctor or a dermatologist is the right contact. The first thing to do is to have a conversation to collect your medical history (anamnesis): For example, the doctor asks you how long your symptoms have existed, whether there are any other symptoms and whether you have any underlying illnesses.
A physical examination follows after taking the medical history. The doctor will take a close look at the affected areas of skin and take samples (flakes of skin, nail shavings, hair). These are examined under the microscope for the presence of fungi. In addition, a fungal culture can be set up in the laboratory with the shredded test material: Under suitable growth conditions, existing fungi multiply in the culture and, depending on the pathogen, can be identified within days or weeks. This is important when choosing the right therapy.
In individual cases, further examinations are used, such as an inspection of the skin using UV light (Wood light lamp). Certain dermatophytes can be identified under this light.
Tinea corporis: treatment
Therapy for tinea corporis depends on the extent of the infection. The tinea corporis infection is usually only superficial and not very extensive, so that external (topical) treatment is sufficient. For example, creams, solutions, gels or powders with antifungal active ingredients are used - i.e. active ingredients that are effective against fungi, such as miconazole, clotrimazole and terbinafine. The medication is used over several weeks - depending on the extent of the tinea corporis.
With extensive tinea corporis or when topical treatment fails, patients must take an antifungal drug in tablet form (systemic therapy). This is also necessary with deep tinea corporis. This systemic therapy is usually combined with topical treatment: The tablets do not have to be used for as long, which also reduces the risk of side effects.
In children and pregnant and breastfeeding women with tinea corporis, the doctor will be particularly careful when choosing a therapy because these patient groups are not allowed to use some active ingredients.
Tinea corporis: disease course and prognosis
Tinea corporis, like other fungal infections, requires a lot of patience during therapy: Fungi are stubborn, which is why you have to be very consistent when using antifungal agents. The duration of use recommended by the doctor should be strictly adhered to. If the therapy is interrupted too early, the tinea corporis returns in many cases.
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