Tinea Corporis (Body Ringworm): Symptoms, Causes, Diagnose, Treatment & Prevention

 

Tinea corporis, often known as ringworm of the body, is a fungal infection-related rash. Usually, the rash is flat, itchy, and has clearer skin in the middle. The way ringworm looks is how it gets its name. There is no worm involved.

A fungal infection of the skin that is superficial, tinea corporis can affect any area of the body except the hands, feet, scalp, face, beard, groin, and nails. It is frequently referred to as "ringworm" due to the distinctive ring-shaped lesions that it causes.

On an arm, ringworm:

A ring-shaped, itchy, scaly, and slightly raised rash is frequently the result of ringworm. Usually, the rings begin small and gradually get larger.

Athlete's foot (tinea pedis), jock itch (tinea cruris), and scalp ringworm (tinea capitis) are all associated with ringworm of the body. Direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected person or animal is a common way for ringworm to spread.

Antifungal medications administered topically frequently work for mild cases of ringworm. You might need to take antifungal medications for several weeks if an infection is more serious.




Also Read: Tinea Capatis: Symptoms, Cause, Diagnoses & Treatment

Signs and symptoms:

Ringworm signs and symptoms could include:

• A ring-shaped patch of scales that usually appears on the arms, legs, trunk, and buttocks
• Itching
• An area inside the ring that is clear or scaly, sometimes with a few scattered bumps that range in color from red on white skin to reddish, purplish, brown, or gray on black and brown skin
• Expanding, slightly elevated rings
• A flat, rounded area of skin that itch
• Rings that overlap

Causes:

Common mold-like parasites that reside on the cells in your skin's outer layer are the source of the spreading fungal infection known as ringworm. The following are some ways that it can spread:

between people. Direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected individual is a common way for ringworm to spread.

from animal to human. Ringworm can be transmitted by direct contact with an infected animal. When brushing or grooming dogs or cats, ringworm can spread. In cows, it's also really common.

Something that humans possess. Ringworm can spread through contact with items or surfaces—such as clothing, towels, beds, linens, combs, and brushes—that an infected human or animal has recently touched or rubbed against.

soil to humans. Rarely, coming into contact with contaminated soil can cause ringworms to spread to people. Most likely, prolonged contact with heavily infested soil would be the only way for infection to occur.

Factors at risk:

Body ringworm is more likely to occur if you:

• Live in a warm climate
• Keep near an animal or human who is affected
• Towels, beds, and clothes should not be shared with someone who has a fungal infection.
• Take part in sports like wrestling that require skin-to-skin contact.
• Put on constricting or tight clothes.
• Possess a weakened immune system

How do you diagnose tinea corporis?

In cases when there is a single patch or an asymmetrical rash, tinea corporis should be taken into consideration and its likely cause be confirmed by mycology.

When looking for further areas of involvement, the entire skin surface, including the scalp and nails, should be examined.

Features such as erythema, white scaling, patchy or peripheral blood vessel distribution, small follicular papules, brown spots encircled by white-yellow rings, and wavy or broken hairs can all be seen on a dermoscopy, which can help with the clinical diagnosis.

Under a light microscope, skin scrapings from the scaly lesion edge that have been mounted in 10–20% potassium hydroxide can be inspected for hyphae and spores. Identification of the causal organism is possible through fungal culture of the skin scrapings (see Laboratory testing for fungal infection).

Occasionally, a skin biopsy will reveal the presence of distinctive histological changes, leading to the diagnosis of tinea corporis. Usually, histology is needed to diagnose Majocchi granuloma.

What is the course of treatment for corporis tinea?

General measures

Skin needs to be maintained clean and well-dried. It is advised to wear light, loose-fitting clothing in hot, humid weather. Steer clear of sharing fomites and intimate contact with infected folks. Re-infection risk is decreased by treating pets and family members appropriately and examining them for the cause of the infection.


Specific measures

Topical antifungal medications such as imidazole and terbinafine may help treat localized tinea corporis. The application must involve leaving sufficient space around the lesion and a long course that lasts for at least 1-2 weeks after the rash becomes invisible. Recurrence is typical, though.

If tinea corporis is affecting a hair-bearing location, is extensive, or has not cleared up with topical antifungals, oral antifungal therapy is typically necessary. For tinea imbricate and Majocchi granuloma, systemic therapy is also necessary. 

For a limited illness, over-the-counter (OTC) topical fungicidal medicines are typically sufficient. The drug may come in powder, cream, or ointment form. It is placed directly onto the skin's afflicted areas.

Your doctor may recommend oral drugs in specific circumstances. Among them are:

• Fluconazole 
• Itraconazole 
• Terbinafine

Prevention:

It is challenging to prevent ringworm. It is frequently caused by a common fungus, and the illness is spreadable even in the absence of symptoms. To lower your risk of developing ringworm, follow these steps:

• Educate others and yourself. Recognize that pets or humans with ringworms can infect you. Talk to your kids about ringworm, including symptoms to look out for and ways to prevent infection.

• Keep cleaned. Hands-wash frequently. Particularly at gyms, locker rooms, schools, and childcare facilities, keep communal spaces tidy. If you play a contact sport, wash your uniform and equipment as soon as you get home from practice or a match.

• Stay dry and chilled. In warm, muggy weather, avoid wearing heavy garments for extended periods. Steer clear of heavy sweating.

• Never share personal items. Not sharing clothing, caps, hairbrushes, or towels with ringworm sufferers.

• Steer clear of infectious diseases in animals. If you think your pet may have ringworm, visit the veterinarian; if you have ringworm on your body, refrain from scratching the affected areas of your skin and maintain personal cleanliness around other people.

• After a shower, thoroughly dry your skin, paying particular attention to the spaces between your toes and any areas where skin touches the skin, like your armpits and groin.

References:

• Goldstein AO, et al. Dermatophyte (tinea) infections. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Aug. 12, 2019.

• Ringworm risk and prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/ringworm/risk-prevention.html. Accessed Aug. 12, 2019.

• Ringworm risk & prevention. (2021). https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/ringworm/risk-prevention.html

• Mukwende M, et al. Basics. In: Mind the Gap: A Handbook of Clinical Signs in Black and Brown Skin. St. George's University of London; 2020. https://www.blackandbrownskin.co.uk/mindthegap. Accessed July 14, 2021.

• Ringworm risk and prevention. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/diseases/ringworm/risk-prevention.html. Accessed Aug. 12, 2019.

• Kelly AP, et al. Fungal and yeast infections. In: Taylor and Kelly's Dermatology for Skin of Color. 2nd ed. McGraw-Hill Education; 2016. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. Accessed July 14, 2021.