7 Most Misleading Animal Names 7 Most Misleading Animal Names By Laura Poppick, Live Science Contributor | October 31, 2013 10:09am ET MORE Credit: Michal Ninger | Shutterstock Deceptive names What's in a name? When it comes to animals, a variety of characteristics can be wrapped up in a common name, including where an animal lives (mountain goat), what an animal eats (anteater), the color of an animal (brown bear) or, more broadly, what an animal looks like (dragonfly). This last category, however, is where the naming scheme can become misleading. Is a dragonfly a true fly? No – it belongs to the order Odonata, along with damselflies, whereas true flies (house flies, fruit flies, etc.) belong to the order Diptera. And is a dragonfly a dragon?

That's probably a more obvious "no." Here is a list of seven other imaginative but potentially misleading animal names: 2 of 9 Credit: kaschibo | Shutterstock Seahorse A seahorse might slightly resemble a horse, without the fur, and with a different kind of tail, but it is really a fish that belongs to the Syngnathidae family, along with pipefishes and leafy sea dragons. To be fair to whoever came up with the common name seahorse, it's a bit more accurate than the direct translation of the animal's Latin genus name, Hippocampus, which literally translates as "horse" (hippos-) "sea monster" (-kampos). Calling anything that only grows to be about 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) long a monster is potentially more misleading than calling a fish a horse. 3 of 9 Credit: 300dpi | Shutterstock Starfish Starfish don't have scales, don't have tails and can't swim, so they are therefore not fish. Instead, the rough-skinned, multi-legged seafloor dweller is an echinoderm, related to sea urchins and sea cucumbers.

Though it does at least look like a star. 4 of 9 Credit: Karel Gallas | Shutterstock Red panda Like true panda bears, red pandas spend much of their time munching on bamboo up in tree limbs. And, like true pandas, they have thumb-like appendages. But this eastern Himalayan and southwestern China-dwelling animal does not belong to the same family as the true panda, and is not a bear. They actually look and act more like raccoons. They also occupy a family all to their own, Ailuridae, and all of their closest relatives have gone extinct. 5 of 9 Credit: schankz | Shutterstock Ringworm Ringworm, also known as dermatophytosis, is not a worm at all: It is a fungal infection consisting of several different species of fungus that feeds on keratin — the substance found in hair, nails and the outer layer of skin — within humans and domesticated animals. The infection forms a ring-like pattern on skin that sort of looks like a worm burrow.

6 of 9 Credit: Kristo-Gothard Hunor | Shutterstock Guinea pig These common household pets (in the United States) and increasingly popular delicacies (in South America) have more fur and faster metabolisms than any true pig. Guinea pigs are rodents, and the only thing they share in common with true pigs is that they are mammals … and they make squeaky sounds. 7 of 9 Credit: Henk Bentlage | Shutterstock Prairie dog Like guinea pigs, prairie dogs are rodents, and have nothing more in common with domesticated dogs than guinea pigs do with true pigs. The call of the prairie dog is thought to sound like the bark of a dog, but given its small size, the tone of its bark only matches that of the smallest true dogs. 8 of 9 Credit: Erik Zandboer | Shutterstock Flying fox With wingspans reaching up to about 4.5 feet (1.4 meters) wide, these animals can grow to be as large as a fox. But they are not foxes at all — they are the largest and least studied bats in the world.

More than 60 species are known to live throughout isolated islands within the Pacific and Indian oceans, and parts of continental Australia and Asia. Their brownish-red fur resembles that of a fox, but aside from that, these tree-dwelling, fruit-eating mammals have little in common with their namesakes. 9 of 9 A to Z: Ringworm (Dermatophytosis) - Health Tips for parents A to Z: Ringworm (Dermatophytosis) A to Z: Ringworm (Dermatophytosis) May also be called: Ringworm; Tinea; Epidermomycosis Ringworm , or dermatophytosis (der-ma-tuh-fy-TO-sis), is a highly contagious infection of the skin, hair, or nails caused by a type of fungus called a dermatophyte. It affects people of all ages but is particularly common in kids. More to Know Dermatophytosis is classified according to the part of the body that is affected. Athlete's foot and jock itch are two common forms of the condition. Ringworm isn't caused by a worm, but gets its name from the appearance of the rash.

Shaped like a ring, the infection is red and swollen on the edge and healthy-looking in the center. Either one ring or several overlapping rings can appear on the skin. These raised patches are scaly and itchy and may blister and ooze. Ringworm on the scalp can cause temporary bald spots. Ringworm on the nails can cause them to become thick, discolored, and brittle. Keep in Mind Ringworm is often treated with over-the-counter antifungal ointments. In some cases, doctors prescribe antifungal pills to be taken by mouth. Scratching the affected area can sometimes cause a bacterial infection, which can be accompanied by a fever, pus, drainage, or increasing redness. If you see signs of a fungal or bacterial infection, contact your doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment. All A to Z dictionary entries are regularly reviewed by KidsHealth medical experts. Published on: 2016-08-11 Tinea - National Library of Medicine - PubMed Health Oral antifungal drugs for treating athlete's foot (tinea pedis) Athlete's foot (tinea pedis) is a fungal infection of the feet that is easily spread and difficult to get rid of.

This review compared different oral antifungal drugs (i.e. drugs taken by mouth), and it included 15 trials, involving 1438 participants. There are several different kinds of oral treatments, and the trials we found considered all the oral drugs used to treat athlete's foot. We found terbinafine and itraconazole to be more effective than placebo. And we found terbinafine to be more effective than griseofulvin. Griseofulvin is a treatment that was developed much earlier than the new treatments, such as terbinafine and itraconazole; these newer treatments tend to be most evaluated. Trials of other drugs were not large enough to show differences between them. All drugs had side‐effects; gastrointestinal effects were the most common. Safety and efficacy of tinea pedis and onychomycosis treatment in people with diabetes: a systematic review. BACKGROUND: Effective treatment of tinea pedis and onychomycosis is crucial for patients with diabetes as these infections may lead to foot ulcers and secondary bacterial infections resulting in eventual lower limb amputation.

Although numerous studies have assessed the effectiveness of antifungal drug and treatment regimens, most exclude patients with diabetes and examine otherwise healthy individuals. While these studies are useful, results cannot necessarily be extrapolated to patients with diabetes. The purpose of this study was to therefore identify the best evidence-based treatment interventions for tinea pedis or onychomycosis in people with diabetes. Antifungal medicines for treating children with ringworm Tinea capitis, or ringworm, is a fungal infection of the scalp caused mainly by two species of fungi called Trichophyton and Microsporum. It is common in children. Most fungal infections can be treated with antifungal creams applied directly to the skin (topical treatments). However, because the fungal infection is found at the root of the hair follicles, where topical treatments cannot reach, tinea capitis always requires medication administered by mouth so that the treatment spreads throughout the entire body (systemic treatments). There are several different types of antifungal medicines available. Tinea versicolor: Overview When fungi multiply too quickly they can cause infections. One of these infections is tinea versicolor. This usually harmless rash is caused by a type of yeast.

Many people who have tinea versicolor are not aware that the patches on their skin are caused by a fungus. Our information describes the typical signs of tinea versicolor and lets you know which treatments are effective. Oral antifungal drugs for treating athlete's foot (tinea pedis) Athlete's foot (tinea pedis) is a fungal infection of the feet that is easily spread and difficult to get rid of. This review compared different oral antifungal drugs (i.e. drugs taken by mouth), and it included 15 trials, involving 1438 participants. There are several different kinds of oral treatments, and the trials we found considered all the oral drugs used to treat athlete's foot. We found terbinafine and itraconazole to be more effective than placebo. And we found terbinafine to be more effective than griseofulvin. Griseofulvin is a treatment that was developed much earlier than the new treatments, such as terbinafine and itraconazole; these newer treatments tend to be most evaluated. Trials of other drugs were not large enough to show differences between them. All drugs had side‐effects; gastrointestinal effects were the most common.

What treatments are available for tinea versicolor? Tinea versicolor can usually be treated effectively using medicinal shampoos with a substance that keeps the fungus from growing or kills it. Even with treatment it can take several months for the skin to return to normal.Tinea versicolor is a skin infection that affects about 1% of the population. Its typical symptoms are discolorations that appear as lighter or darker patches of skin, usually on the upper body. It is caused by a type of yeast that grows on most people’s skin. Tinea versicolor is not contagious. Ringworm in Dogs | VCA Animal Hospital Infectious Diseases, Medical Conditions, Zoonosis & Human Health December 11, 2008 What is ringworm and what causes it? "Ringworm" is the common name given to a fungal infection of the superficial layers of the skin, hair and nails. Ringworm infections can occur in humans and in all domesticated species of animals. The name comes from the classical appearance of the round, red, raised 'ring' marking the boundary of inflammatory lesions in people infected with the disease.

The common name of ringworm is somewhat misleading, in that it is not an infection caused by a worm, and the infected areas are not always ring-shaped. The fungi responsible for ringworm infections belong to a specialized group known as dermatophytes, so the medical name for this disease is dermatophytosis. There are a number of distinct species of dermatophytes. Some species of dermatophytes are species specific, meaning that they will only infect one species, whereas others can be spread between different species of animals, or from animals to man. The three most common fungal species that may cause ringworm in dogs are Microsporum canis, Microsporum gypseum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. These three species of ringworm are zoonotic, meaning they can also infect humans. "Ringworm fungi feed on the keratin that is found in the outer layers of skin, hair and nails." Ringworm fungi feed on the keratin that is found in the outer layers of the skin, hair and nails. In animals, the fungi commonly infect hair follicles, which causes the affected hair shafts to break off at the skin line. This usually results in round patches of hair loss.

As the fungus multiplies, the lesions may become irregularly shaped and spread over the dog's body. What does ringworm look like? In the dog, ringworm lesions usually appear as areas of hair loss (alopecia) that are roughly circular. As these circular lesions enlarge, the central area heals and hair may begin to regrow in the middle of the lesion.The affected hair shafts are fragile and easily broken. These lesions are not usually itchy, but sometimes they become inflamed and develop a scabby covering. In most cases, there are several patches of alopecia scattered throughout the body. Occasionally fungal infection of the nails (onychomycosis) may occur. The claws become rough, brittle and broken. Some dogs may have ringworm fungi present in their hair or skin without showing any clinical signs of disease. These dogs can spread ringworm to other animals or people despite having no obvious skin lesions, and are called "asymptomatic carriers." Asymptomatic carriers are especially problematic in multi-animal environments such as animal shelters or kennels. How is ringworm transmitted?

"Ringworm is contagious and can be passed between infected and non-infected individuals through direct contact or by contact with contaminated objects." Ringworm is contagious and transmission occurs by direct contact with the fungus. It may be passed by direct contact with an infected animal or person, or by handling contaminated objects or touching contaminated surfaces. The fungal spores may remain dormant on combs, brushes, food bowls, furniture, bedding, carpet or other environmental surfaces for many months (reportedly up to 18 months). Spores may be killed with a solution of chlorine bleach and water (one pint of chlorine bleach (500 ml) in a gallon of water (4 liters), or a dilution of 1:10 to 1:100), where it is feasible to use it. Contact with ringworm fungus does not always result in an infection. The amount of environmental contamination is an important factor in the development of a ringworm infection, as is the age of the exposed person or animal. Healthy adult humans usually are resistant to infection unless there is a break in the skin such as a scratch. Elderly people, young children, and adults with immune system weaknesses or skin sensitivities are especially susceptible to ringworm infection.

If your child has ringworm, he or she may have acquired it from your pet or from another child at school. If you or your family members have suspicious skin lesions, check with your family physician immediately. How long does it take to get it? The incubation period between exposure to ringworm fungus and the development of ringworm lesions usually ranges from seven to fourteen days; some cases may take up to 21 days before signs of infection develop. How is a ringworm infection diagnosed? Diagnosis is made in one or more of the following three ways: Identification of the typical "ringworm" lesions on the skin. This method is not very accurate and may lead to misdiagnosis. Fluorescence of infected hairs under a special ultraviolet light known as a Wood's lamp. Most cases of canine ringworm caused by M. canis will glow with a yellow-green flourescence when the skin and coat are examined in a dark room with a Wood's lamp. However, not all cases of M. canis will fluoresce, and neither T. mentagrophytes and M. gypseum fluoresce under a Wood's lamp. Some skin ointments and other materials will fluoresce and may give a false positive result.

While this technique is acceptable in certain situations as a rapid screening tool in multi-animal facilities, diagnosis made on Wood's lamp evaluation is not always reliable. The preferred method for diagnosing ringworm in dogs is by fungal culture of a sample of hair or skin cells. This method is the most accurate. A positive culture can sometimes be confirmed within a couple of days, but in some cases the fungal spores may be slow to grow. Therefore, a suspected sample cannot be called negative for at least a month. There are numerous causes for hair loss in dogs. Before making a diagnosis of ringworm, your veterinarian may recommend additional testing to rule out some of these causes. How is ringworm treated? Regardless of the severity of the case, treatment of ringworm in dogs is always necessary to avoid the spread of infection to children or other pets. The specific method of treatment recommended by your veterinarian to treat your dog will depend on the severity of the infection, how many pets are involved, if there are children or susceptible adults in the household, and how difficult it will be to disinfect your pet's environment.

"...treatment of ringworm in dogs is always necessary to avoid the spread of infection..." The most common way to treat ringworm in dogs is to use a combination of topical therapy (application of creams, ointments or shampoos) and systemic therapy (administration of anti-fungal drugs by mouth). In order for treatment to be successful, all environmental contamination must be eliminated. 1. Topical therapy Occasionally, topical therapy is used alone for treatment of ringworm, but more commonly it is used in combination with oral medications. Various creams and ointments are available to apply to localized areas of skin affected by ringworm. If there are only one or two affected areas, shaving of the hair from these areas may be sufficient. If there is more generalized disease, or if your dog has long hair, your veterinarian may recommend clipping your dog's hair short to aid in treatment, along with bathing your dog with a medicated shampoo at least twice weekly. It is extremely important only to use preparations that have been specifically provided or recommended by your veterinarian for topical treatment of dogs. Topical treatment will usually be necessary for a period of several weeks to several months.

After bathing or treating your dog, be sure to wash your hands and sanitize any surfaces your dog has been in contact with. 2. Oral therapy In the majority of cases of ringworm, effective treatment will require administration of an oral anti-fungal drug. The most widely used drug for this purpose is griseofulvin, although newer drugs such as itraconazole or terbinafine (Lamasil) are being used more frequently and are often preferred since they have fewer side effects. The response of individual dogs to treatment varies and if therapy is stopped too soon, the disease may recur. Treatment must usually be continued for a minimum of six weeks, and in some cases much longer therapy is required. Ringworm cultures are generally taken one to two weeks after the start of treatment to determine if your pet is still infected. Typically two consecutive negative ringworm cultures indicate your pet has been successfully treated, at which time treatment can be discontinued. If there is more than one pet in the household, try to separate infected from non-infected animals and just treat the infected ones. In some situations it may be preferable to treat all of the pets. Your veterinarian will advise you on the best treatment given your individual circumstances. 3.

Environmental cleaning Infected hairs contain numerous microscopic fungal spores that can be shed into the environment. Infection of other animals and humans can occur, either by direct contact with an infected dog or through contact with fungal spores in a contaminated environment. In addition to minimizing direct contact with an infected dog, it is also important to attempt to keep the environment as free of spores as possible. Clipping of infected hairs (with careful disposal) combined with topical antifungal treatment of affected areas of skin may help to reduce environmental contamination. Use a damp mop or electrostatic cleaner to remove pet hair from floors or furniture. "It is also worthwhile restricting the dog to rooms of the house that are easy to clean." It is also worthwhile restricting the dog to rooms of the house that are easy to clean. Environmental contamination can be minimized by thorough damp mopping or vacuum cleaning of all rooms or areas that are accessible to your dog; this should be done as frequently as is possible (e.g. daily). In addition, the use of diluted bleach (1:10-1:100 dilution in water) is recommended in areas that can be readily disinfected.

In multi-animal facilities such as animal shelters or kennels, treatment of ringworm can be extremely challenging and costly and environmental contamination can be difficult to contain. How long will my dog be contagious? Infected pets remain contagious for about three weeks if aggressive treatment is used. The ringworm will last longer and remain contagious for an extended period of time if only minimal measures are taken or if you are not faithful with the prescribed approach. Minimizing exposure to other dogs or cats and to your family members is recommended during this period. Ringworm cultures are generally taken several weeks after the start of treatment to determine if your pet is still infected. Typically, two consecutive negative cultures indicate that your dog has been successfully treated. Will my dog recover from ringworm? The vast majority of dogs, if treated appropriately, will recover from a ringworm infection. Symptoms may recur if the treatment was discontinued too early or was not aggressive enough (i.e. only topical treatment was used), or if the pet has some underlying disease compromising the immune system. Occasionally symptoms recur because the dog is a carrier of ringworm. What about the risk to humans?

Ringworm can be transmitted quite easily to humans, especially young children, and it is important to take appropriate steps to minimize exposure to the fungus while the dog is being treated (see Environmental Cleaning above). "If any humans in the house develop skin lesions such as small patches of skin thickening and reddening with raised scaly edges, early medical attention should be sought." If any humans in the house develop skin lesions such as small patches of skin thickening and reddening with raised scaly edges, early medical attention should be sought. Ringworm in humans generally responds very well to treatment. The ringworm fungus can remain infective up to 18 months in the environment and re-infection may occur. This client information sheet is based on material written by: Ernest Ward, DVM © Copyright 2010 Lifelearn Inc. Used and/or modified with permission under license. Nail Fungus: Symptoms and Treatment Nail Fungus: Symptoms and Treatment By Laura Geggel, Staff Writer | August 29, 2014 06:18pm ET MORE Nail fungal infections affect about half of people over the age of 70.

Credit: Bernard Cohen Nail fungus, also medically known as onychomycosis, is a chronic fungal infection of the fingernails and/or toenails by dermatophytes, also known as ringworm, yeasts and molds, leading to gradual destruction of the nail plate. It is more likely to affect toenails , particularly the first toenail, than fingernails, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). About half of the population is affected with nail fungus by the time they reach 70 years of age, said Dr. Raza Aly, professor emeritus of dermatology at the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center. Symptoms An infected nail often will have unsightly white/yellow or orange/brown patches or streaks. It can also turn thicker, crumbly, ragged or dull , according to the Mayo Clinic. In some cases the nail will emit a slightly foul odor and it may separate from the nail bed, a process known as onycholysis. "More commonly, people don't like the way it looks," said Dr. Bernard Cohen, professor of pediatrics and dermatology at Johns Hopkins Children's Center in Baltimore, Maryland.

"[But] the nails can become friable, they break up and fall off." An infected nail can also thicken, making it difficult to clip, and cause discomfort if it catches on clothes, for instance. Nail fungus typically begins with a fungal infection of the skin, such as athlete's foot . Once the skin is treated, however, the nails may act as a reservoir for reinfection that can spread the fungus to other parts of the body or to other people, Cohen told Live Science. In some cases, people may have a genetic susceptibility to nail fungus, reported a 1996 study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology . Diagnosis & tests Although half of all nail disorders can be categorized as onychomycosis, it is not always possible to identify the disease accurately by just looking at the symptoms, according to a treatment guideline commissioned for the British Association of Dermatologists. Other conditions, such as psoriasis, can result in similar nail abnormalities as well. Once the above symptoms are observed, lab tests consist of microscopy to visualize fungal elements and a mycological culture to help identify the species of microbes involved will provide a more definitive diagnosis.

Since onychomycosis is primarily a disease of the nail bed rather than of the nail plate, skin debris and samples taken from the spot closest to the infection is likely to yield the best results, according to the British guidelines. Treatment & medication Onychomycosis is not self-healing and may be a source of more widespread fungal lesions on the skin, or vice versa. Both topical and oral treatments are available. "Oral antifungal therapy is preferred because of its ability to penetrate the nail bed and nail plate and thus sustain effectiveness," Aly said. However, because oral medication includes side effects such as potential liver damage, doctors and patients typically prefer topical creams, even though they are typically less effective because of poor penetration into the nail, he added. Oral antifungal medications such as terbinafine (commonly marketed under the trade name Lamisil), itraconazole (Sporanox) and fluconazole (Diflucan or Trican) encourage the growth of new, non-infected nail , while slowly cycling out the infected portion of the nail, according to the Mayo Clinic.

The medication is usually taken for six to 12 weeks, but a toenail may take up to 78 weeks to grow fully, and preventative measures should be taken during that gap to avoid recurrent infection. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved two new treatments in 2014. Efinaconazole (Jublia) is a topical cream that targets mild to moderate cases of onychomycosis, Aly said. About 17 percent of people taking it daily for a year had a complete cure rate, meaning that there was no fungus left on the nail and the nail looked normal, reported a 2013 study in the Journal of Drugs in Dermatology . The second treatment, tavaborole (Kerydin), is also a topical cream that has a similar complete cure rate after a year of use, Aly said. Both of these new topical medications are more effective than the FDA-approved nail lacquer Penlac, which has a complete cure rate of about 5 percent to 8 percent, he said.

Successful eradication of the fungus may still leave the nail looking permanently abnormal because of trauma to the nail bed and nail plate by the disease, according to a 2007 article published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. Therefore a cure should be based on lab tests and not on visual appearance. Prevention The fungi that cause onychomycosis thrive in warm, moist areas such as public swimming pools, gyms or shower rooms, according to the NIH. "That stuff is everywhere," Cohen said. "It lives in your shoes, it lives in your socks, it lives in your bathroom. They're resistant to freezing and heating. Even if you can get them off your skin, they're just everywhere. The risk of re-exposure is quite high." General hygiene practices such as keeping all nails short, dry and clean by regular trimming will help decrease the risk of infection. One should avoid going barefoot in public places, particularly public showers, and choose a reputable salon that properly cleans and disinfects its manicure and pedicure instruments. Wearing breathable socks and shoes may also help prevent fungal infections, Cohen said.

Sometimes, patients will have onychomycosis is just one nail, often because a trauma such as dropping a book on a toe, may make it easier for a fungal infection to take hold, Aly added. Because the fungus can spread to other nails, he encouraged people to clean their nail clippers. People who pursue treatment for their feet should also buy new socks and shoes. "Some of those fungal spores, they remain viable for months in those shoes," Aly said. Additional reporting by Iris Tse, MyHealthNewsDaily Contributor. Topical Treatment of Common Superficial Tinea Infections - American Family Physician Topical Treatment of Common Superficial Tinea Infections ANDREW WEINSTEIN, M.D., M.P.H., and BRIAN BERMAN, M.D., PH.D., University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida Am Fam Physician. 2002 May 15;65(10):2095-2103. References Tinea infections are superficial fungal infections caused by three species of fungi collectively known as dermatophytes.

Commonly these infections are named for the body part affected, including tinea corporis (general skin), tinea cruris (groin), and tinea pedis (feet). Accurate diagnosis is necessary for effective treatment. Diagnosis is usually based on history and clinical appearance plus direct microscopy of a potassium hydroxide preparation. Culture or histologic examination is rarely required for diagnosis. Treatment requires attention to exacerbating factors such as skin moisture and choosing an appropriate antifungal agent. Topical therapy is generally successful unless the infection covers an extensive area or is resistant to initial therapy. In these cases, systemic therapy may be required. Tinea corporis and cruris infections are usually treated for two weeks, while tinea pedis is treated for four weeks with an azole or for one to two weeks with allylamine medication. Treatment should continue for at least one week after clinical clearing of infection. Newer medications require fewer applications and a shorter duration of use. The presence of inflammation may necessitate the use of an agent with inherent anti-inflammatory properties or the use of a combination antifungal/steroid agent. The latter agents should be used with caution because of their potential for causing atrophy and other steroid-associated complications.

Tinea infections are superficial fungal infections caused by the three genera of dermatophytes, Trichophyton, Microsporum and Epidermophyton. 1 Commonly, the infections caused by these organisms are named for the sites involved. Tinea capitis refers to a dermatophyte infection of the head, tinea barbae affects the beard area, tinea corporis occurs on the body surface, tinea manuum is limited to the hands, tinea pedis to the feet, and tinea unguium infects the toenails. These names do not distinguish between species (for example, tinea capitis may be caused by Trichophyton or Microsporum genera). With some pertinent exceptions, dermatomycosis is typically confined to the superficial keratinized tissue 2 and, thus, can often be treated with topical antifungal medications. 3 Because these agents do not penetrate hair or nails, tinea capitis, tinea barbae, and tinea unguium usually require systemic therapy. This article focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of tinea infections with topical medications.

Because tinea capitis and tinea unguium are not typically amenable to topical therapy, they will not be discussed in this article. It is important to note that nondermatophytes and yeasts may infect the sites mentioned above. For example, tinea unguium is only a subset of the onychomycoses, which include other types of fungal infections of the nails. Similarly, tinea corporis refers only to dermatophyte infection of the skin and not other superficial fungal infections such as candidiasis. Although tinea versicolor is commonly called a tinea, it is caused by the non-dermatophyte Malassezia furfur (also referred to as Pityrosporum orbiculare and Pityrosporum ovale) and is not a true tinea infection. 4 Epidemiology References Because tinea infections are highly common, it is likely that the primary care physician will frequently treat affected patients. The estimated lifetime risk of acquiring dermatophytosis (tinea infection) is between 10 and 20 percent. 5 In the United States, dermatophytosis is second only to acne as the most frequently reported skin disease.

6 The majority of superficial fungal infections are tineas and, of those, the most common are tinea pedis, tinea corporis, and tinea cruris. 7 Trichophyton rubrum is the most likely agent in these dermatomycoses. T. rubrum accounted for 76.2 percent of all superficial fungal diseases in a representative sample of the U.S. population. 8 With the exception of tinea capitis (in which Trichophyton tonsurans was the most likely etiologic agent), T. rubrum was the most common dermatophyte isolated in all superficial fungal diseases studied. 8 Clinical Manifestations References Clinical presentation is the most important clue to accurate diagnosis and treatment. The anthrophilic dermatophytes (commonly isolated from human infection) are the most common source of human dermatomycoses. These tend to evoke a limited host response and are less likely to be accompanied by severe inflammation or to clear spontaneously. 9 Occasionally, severe inflammation is a component of dermatophytosis. This is particularly true in the case of tinea infections caused by zoophilic species (commonly isolated from animal infection). The most common of these is Microsporum canis.

TINEA CORPORIS Tinea corporis refers to tinea anywhere on the body except the scalp, beard, feet, or hands. This lesion presents as an annular plaque with a slightly raised and often scaly, advancing border and is commonly known as ringworm. Each lesion may have one or several concentric rings with red papules or plaques in the center. As the lesion progresses, the center may clear, leaving post-inflammatory hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation. TINEA CRURIS Because it affects the groin area, tinea cruris is also known as “jock itch.” It is characterized by red scaling plaques on the medial thighs and inguinal folds ( Figure 1 ). The plaques are typically bilateral but usually spare the penis and scrotum, in contrast to candidiasis. 10 Many people with tinea cruris have coincident tinea pedis, and it has been postulated that the tinea cruris is spread by hand from the tinea pedis. 11 Tinea cruris with bilateral scaly patches on the inner thighs, sparing the penis. FIGURE 1.

Tinea cruris with bilateral scaly patches on the inner thighs, sparing the penis. TINEA PEDIS Tinea pedis, or athlete's foot, is the most common dermatophyte infection ( Figure 2 ). Its etiology is closely tied to the use of occlusive footwear. 12 Most commonly, tinea pedis presents with toe-web maceration. 13 This fairly subtle presentation is contrasted with the moccasin distribution affecting the soles and lateral feet that is often seen in patients with T. rubrum infection ( Figure 3 ). In the latter cases, the feet tend to be hyperkeratotic with scale and some erythema ( Figure 4 ). In some cases of tinea pedis, a dermatophytid (also known as “id”) reaction may occur in which small vesicles or pustules appear at distant sites. The id reaction may be the only manifestation of an otherwise asymptomatic webspace maceration and usually resolves with treatment of the primary fungal infection. View/Print Figure FIGURE 2. Tinea pedis presenting with toe-web maceration and minimal inflammation. A presentation like this may be accompanied by a dermatophytid (“id”) reaction. FIGURE 2.

Tinea pedis presenting with toe-web maceration and minimal inflammation. A presentation like this may be accompanied by a dermatophytid (“id”) reaction. Moccasin distribution of tinea pedis with inflammation. FIGURE 3. Tinea pedis with marked erythema of the first and second toes. FIGURE 4. Tinea pedis with marked erythema of the first and second toes. Diagnosis References The clinical suspicion of dermatophytosis can be confirmed with diagnostic tests. Because other entities may mimic tinea infection, treatment should not be initiated on the basis of clinical presentation alone. In most cases, a simple potassium hydroxide (KOH) preparation with mycologic examination under a light microscope can confirm the presence of dermatophytes. Occasionally, culture media (including indicator media) or histologic examination may be useful in making the diagnosis. A Wood's light is not helpful in diagnosing tinea infections of the skin and is mainly used to identify fungal elements in hairs infected with Microsporum, which is a less common dermatophyte. The latter fluoresce green under Wood's light.

This light may also be helpful in diagnosing erythrasma by its coral-red fluorescence when this condition is part of the differential diagnosis of a tinea skin condition. 14 KOH Preparation for Direct Microscopy Jump to section + References The KOH preparation, a relatively simple diagnostic method with excellent positive predictive value, is used to visualize the hyphae that characterize dermatophytes. Additional confirmatory tests are rarely needed for the diagnosis of tinea. 15 The KOH helps dissolve the epithelial tissue, allowing the hyphae to be seen on microscopy. Because the organisms live in the superficial keratinized tissue, a sample of scale should be visualized under low or medium power. Scale is collected from the active border of a lesion. This is done by scraping the lesion with the edge of a rounded scalpel blade or the edge of a glass slide. The debris is collected on another slide and concentrated in the middle. If a vesicle is being examined, it may be unroofed, and that material can be examined.

The slide should be covered with a cover slip, and KOH (5 to 20 percent) should be added to the side of the cover slip, allowing capillary action to draw the KOH to the scaly sample. The preparation may be heated gently over a flame to highlight the fungal elements. If dimethyl sulfoxide has been added to the KOH, heating is not required. During examination of the sample, the condenser of the microscope should be in the down position. The presence of septate hyphae confirms the diagnosis of tinea. The examiner should make sure that hyphae are being seen rather than the edge of an epithelial cell. It is helpful to visualize the hyphae crossing the path of more than one cell. If clinical decisions are to be made based on microscopic examination, practitioners must comply with Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) regulations. Performing KOH examinations requires a Provider–Performed Microscopy (PPM) certificate. Obtaining the latter requires completion of paperwork and does not require a site inspection. The American Academy of Dermatology publishes a handbook with directions for compliance with the PPM regulation.

16 Culture References Mycologic culture is rarely indicated in the diagnosis of tineas other than tinea unguium and tinea capitis. In some cases, even though clinical suspicion is high, diagnosis may be a challenge. Culture, while relatively simple to perform, requires one to four weeks to grow and clinical expertise to interpret the result. The most common medium used for isolating dermatophytes is Sabouraud's peptone-glucose agar. 1 Various formulations of this medium are commercially available; some have additives that inhibit bacterial and nondermatophyte growth. 17 A dermatophyte test medium (DTM) indicator can also be used. The latter has the added advantage of a phenol indicator that turns red in the alkaline environment produced by dermatophytes. 18 Although DTM has the advantage of simplicity, it has a high rate of false-positive and false-negative results. 1 All media require collection of an adequate sample of infected material. Scale may be collected in a manner similar to that used for the KOH preparation or with a cotton swab. The swab must first be moistened with sterile water and then rubbed vigorously over the active border of the lesion.

This method is best used when the lesion is not scaly or when the use of a blade or slide is impractical. 19 The physician performing the culture must comply with stricter CLIA regulations. Performing cultures requires a level of certification that necessitates a laboratory inspection. HISTOPATHOLOGIC EVALUATION When the diagnosis of a dermatophyte infection remains in question after office testing or failure to respond to treatment, biopsy specimens may be submitted to a pathologist for evaluation. Fungal staining with periodic acid–Schiff highlights fungal elements. 17 Treatment References Most tinea corporis, cruris, and pedis infections can be treated with topical agents. Consideration should be given to systemic treatment when lesions covering a large body-surface area fail to clear with repeated treatment using different topical agents. 3 In treating dermatophytosis, the physician must also address environmental factors that lead to or exacerbate tinea infection and select an appropriate topical therapy for the infection. NONPHARMACOLOGIC MEASURES Because fungi thrive in moist warm environments, patients should be encouraged to wear loose-fitting garments made of cotton or synthetic materials designed to wick moisture away from the surface. Socks should have similar properties.

Areas likely to become infected should be dried completely before being covered with clothes. Patients should also be advised to avoid walking barefoot and sharing garments. NONSPECIFIC AGENTS A variety of traditional agents without specific antimicrobial function are still in use, including Whitfield's ointment and Castellani's (carbol fuchsin solution) paint. The efficacy of these preparations has not been well quantified. ANTIFUNGAL AGENTS The antifungal agents can be grouped by structure and mechanism of action. The two principal pharmacologic groups are the azoles and the allylamines. Polyenes (amphotericin B [Fungizone] and nystatin [Mycostatin]) are not discussed in this article because this group of compounds is not effective in the treatment of dermatophyte infections. Other agents that do not fit into the two main groupings are tolnaftate (Tinactin), haloprogin (Halotex), ciclopirox (Loprox) and butenafine (Mentax). 3 Because there are few direct comparisons of individual topical agents, it can be difficult to justify the choice of one preparation over another.

This choice is made less clear because several genera and species may produce the same clinical condition. When treating a dermatophyte infection, it is unlikely that the physician will know the infecting species. In general, tinea corporis and tinea cruris require once- to twice-daily treatment for two weeks. Tinea pedis may require treatment for four weeks. 3 Treatment should continue for at least one week after symptoms have resolved. 17 Some of the newer agents require only once-daily application and shorter courses of treatment, and are associated with lower relapse rates. The application area should include normal skin about 2 cm beyond the affected area. Guidelines regarding the optimal vehicle of treatment (e.g., cream, ointment, gel, or lotion) are given in Table 1 . 20 Ideally, an agent will provide clinical and mycologic cure, symptomatic relief, and low relapse rate, along with ease of use. In addition to specific anti-fungal properties, some preparations have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that may influence their efficacy. Combination therapy (antifungal plus steroid) can be considered when inflammation is an issue.

Combination agents should not be used when the diagnosis is in question because that may lead to their overuse or to adverse effects. Common Antifungal Medications and Their Forms Agent Rx = prescription; OTC = over-the-counter; BMD = betamethasone dipropionate. *—Powders and sprays may be used to prevent reinfection. †—Use lotions in intertriginous or hairy areas and on oozing lesions. ‡—Use creams on non-oozing and moderately scaling lesions. §—Use ointments on hyperkeratotic lesions. ||—Ciclopirox lacquer (Penlac) is approved for treatment of onychomycosis but has limited efficacy. Adapted with permission from Diehl KB. Topical antifungal agents: an update. Am Fam Physician 1996;54:1689. TABLE 1 Common Antifungal Medications and Their Forms Agent Rx = prescription; OTC = over-the-counter; BMD = betamethasone dipropionate. *—Powders and sprays may be used to prevent reinfection.

†—Use lotions in intertriginous or hairy areas and on oozing lesions. ‡—Use creams on non-oozing and moderately scaling lesions. §—Use ointments on hyperkeratotic lesions. ||—Ciclopirox lacquer (Penlac) is approved for treatment of onychomycosis but has limited efficacy. Adapted with permission from Diehl KB. Topical antifungal agents: an update. Am Fam Physician 1996;54:1689. The mechanism of action may have an effect on efficacy. The newer agents have fungicidal activity, which may translate into higher cure rates and lower relapse rates. Clinical judgment with regard to prior treatments and complicating conditions (bacterial growth or intense inflammation), along with knowledge of the agent's properties, will help guide the choice of therapy. When inflammation is a salient clinical feature, it must be considered in the selection of a treatment option. Tolnaftate This narrow-spectrum antifungal has no antibacterial or anticandidal activity. 21 It is effective in most dermatophytoses and for treatment of tinea versicolor.

22 It is available as an over-the-counter medication and requires twice-daily application. Haloprogin Introduced after tolnaftate, haloprogin combines equivalent efficacy with a broadened fungal spectrum (including yeasts). 23 It is associated with higher rates of irritant dermatitis. 24 It is applied twice daily. Ciclopirox This broad-spectrum agent is effective against dermatophytes, yeasts, and some bacteria. 3 It has in vitro antibacterial activity against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. It has been shown to be more effective than the nonprescription agent clotrimazole (Lotrimin) in the treatment of tinea pedis. 25 It requires twice-daily application. Ciclopirox 8 percent lacquer (Penlac), which was approved for treatment of onychomycosis in late 1999, has limited efficacy. In two trials of daily application to infected toenails for 48 weeks, complete cure was achieved in 5.5 and 8.5 percent of patients. Only the latter was statistically significant compared with placebo. Partial clearance was also low (12 percent in the more successful trial).

Penlac requires daily application for up to 48 weeks and monthly follow-up for nail debridement. 26 Butenafine This agent is similar in structure to that of the allylamines. Butenafine is fungicidal for dermatophytes in vitro. 27 It is applied once daily and, after four weeks of use, is associated with high cure rates and a long disease-free interval. 28 Azoles This class includes many over-the-counter and prescription preparations. Members of this class include clotrimazole, econazole (Spectazole), ketoconazole (Nizoral), miconazole (Micatin), oxiconazole (Oxistat), and sulconazole (Exelderm). These agents have broad-spectrum activity, including activity against some gram-positive bacteria. Ketoconazole, 29 sulconazole and oxiconazole 30 require only once-daily application because of their long durability in the superficial layers of the skin. Clotrimazole, miconazole, and econazole require twice-daily application.

Allylamines Naftifine (Naftin) and terbinafine (Lamisil) are applied once-daily and remain active in the skin for up to one week after application. 31 , 32 Both agents have fungicidal activity in vitro, but the clinical significance of this point is uncertain. 33 , 34 Terbinafine has been compared with ketoconazole and miconazole. Terbinafine was more efficacious after one week than ketoconazole was after two weeks. 35 In addition, one week of terbinafine was found to be as effective as four weeks of miconazole. 36 Evidence also suggests that terbinafine may be effective in curing tinea pedis in as few as three applications. 37 Naftifine has intrinsic anti-inflammatory properties equivalent to members of the azole class plus 1 percent hydrocortisone. 38 Evidence suggests that the fungicidal activity of naftifine and its duration of activity result in higher cure rates and a lower relapse rate.

39 COMBINED STEROID/ANTIFUNGAL AGENTS In the United States, the only combination steroid/antifungal agent indicated for the treatment of dermatophytosis is clotrimazole-betamethasone (Lotrisone). This formulation combines an effective antifungal agent with a potent steroid. Patients who have symptomatic inflammatory dermatophytosis with erythema, pruritus, and burning are optimally treated twice daily with this combination. The steroid component provides rapid symptomatic relief while the slower-acting antifungal agent eradicates the causative organism. Inflammation typically occurs in tineas caused by zoophilic dermatophytes. The efficacy of this combination treatment has been demonstrated in two randomized controlled studies, 40 , 41 the first treating tinea cruris and the second treating tinea cruris and corporis. In each study, the combination was better than either of the components alone in clearing the tinea infection. Because of these results, it is inferred that the steroid may enhance the antifungal activity of the clotrimazole.

40 A steroid/antifungal preparation should be used only when a diagnosis of fungal infection has been confirmed, not when it is in question. An analysis of the use of this product found that nondermatologists are more likely to use combination therapy. 42 In the absence of fungi or inflammation, the added expense of this preparation is not justified. Because of the potent steroid component, this medication provides rapid relief, but it must be used judiciously. 43 Potential complications associated with long-term steroid use are atrophy, steroid-induced acne, rosacea, and striae. Caution must be used when treating areas of thin skin and naturally occluded body areas, such as the groin, axillae, breast, and face. Treatment of these areas should be avoided whenever possible. When the groin is affected by dermatophytosis, the cream should be used sparingly and only for two weeks. The recommended duration of treatment for tinea pedis is four weeks. This combination should not be used in children younger than 12 years. Read the full article. Get immediate access, anytime, anywhere. Choose a single article, issue, or full-access subscription. Earn up to 6 CME credits per issue.

Already a member/subscriber? Already a member or subscriber? Log in Immediate, unlimited access to all AFP content More than 130 CME credits per year Access to the AFP app Print delivery option Immediate access to this issue CME credits in this issue Immediate access to this article To see the full article, log in or purchase access. The Authors show all author info ANDREW WEINSTEIN, M.D., M.P.H., is a resident in the Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery at the University of Miami School of Medicine. He received his medical degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Urbana-Champaign and a master of public health degree from Florida International University, Miami.... BRIAN BERMAN, M.D., PH.D., is professor in the departments of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, and Internal Medicine at the University of Miami School of Medicine. He received his medical and postdoctoral degrees from New York University School of Medicine, New York. He completed residency training in dermatology at New York University School of Medicine. Address correspondence to Brian Berman, M.D., Ph.D., Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami School of Medicine, P.O.

Box 016250 (R-250), Miami, FL 33101. Reprints are not available from the authors. The authors indicate that they do not have any conflicts of interest. Sources of funding: none reported. REFERENCES show all references 1. Weitzman I, Summerbell RC. The dermatophytes. Clin Microbiol Rev. 1995;8:240–59.... 2. Dei Cas E, Vernes A. Parasitic adaptation of pathogenic fungi to mammalian hosts. Crit Rev Microbiol. 1986;13:173–218. 3. Gupta AK, Einarson TR, Summerbell RC, Shear NH. An overview of topical antifungal therapy in dermatomycoses. A North American perspective. Drugs. 1998;55:645–74. 4. Roberts SO. Pityriasis versicolor: a clinical and mycological investigation. Br J Dermatol. 1969;81:315–26. 5.

Drake LA, Dinehart SM, Farmer ER, Goltz RW, Graham GF, Hardinsky MK, et al. Guidelines of care for superficial mycotic infections of the skin: tinea corporis, tinea cruris, tinea faciei, tinea manuum, and tinea pedis. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1996;34(2 pt 1):282–6. 6. Stern RS. The epidemiology of cutaneous disease. In: Freedberg IM, Fitzpatrick TB, eds. Fitz-patrick's Dermatology in general medicine. 5th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1999:7–12. 7. Aly R. Ecology and epidemiology of dermatophyte infections. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1994;31(3 pt 2):S21–5. 8. Kemna ME, Elewski BE. A U.S. epidemiologic survey of superficial fungal diseases. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1996;35:539–42. 9. Dahl MV.

Suppression of immunity and inflammation by products produced by dermatophytes. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1993;28(5 pt 1):S19–23. 10. La Touche CJ. Scrotal dermatophytosis. An insufficiently documented aspect of tinea cruris. Br J Dermatol. 1967;79:339–44. 11. McAleer R. Fungal infection as a cause of skin disease in Western Australia. Australas J Dermatol. 1980;21:25–46. 12. Philpot CM. Some aspects of the epidemiology of tinea. Mycopathologia. 1977;62:3–13. 13. Habif TP. Superficial fungal infections. In: Clinical dermatology: a color guide to diagnosis and therapy. Habif TP, ed. 3d ed. St. Louis: Mosby, 1996:362–408. 14. Rasmussen JE. Cutaneous fungus infections in children. Pediatr Rev.

1992;13:152–6. 15. Bergus GR, Johnson JS. Superficial tinea infections. Am Fam Physician. 1993;48:259–68. 16. Kenyon J, ed. Dermatology Practice Administration: CLIA ‘88. American Academy of Dermatology. Chambourg, Ill.: Knapp, 1993. 17. Fitzpatrick TB, Johnson RA, Wolff K, Polano MK, Suurmond D. Cutaneous fungal infections. In: Color atlas and synopsis of clinical dermatology: common and serious diseases. Fitzpatrick TB, et al., eds. 3d ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1997:688–733. 18. Taplin D, Zaias N, Rebell G, Blank H. Isolation and recognition of dermatophytes on a new medium (DTM). Arch Dermatol. 1969;99:203–9. 19. Head ES, Henry JC, Macdonald EM.

The cotton swab technic for the culture of dermatophyte infections—its efficacy and merit. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1984;11(5 pt 1):797–801. 20. Diehl KB. Topical antifungal agents: an update. Am Fam Physician. 1996;54:1687–92. 21. Barrett-Bee KJ, Lane AC, Turner RW. The mode of antifungal action of tolnaftate. J Med Vet Mycol. 1986;24:155–60. 22. Weinstein MJ, Oden EM, Moss E. Antifungal properties of tolnaftate in vitro and in vivo. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1964;3:595–601. 23. Hermann HW. Clinical efficacy studies of haloprogin, a new topical antimicrobial agent. Arch Dermatol. 1972;106:839–42. 24. Rudolph RL. Allergic contact dermatitis caused by haloprogin. Arch Dermatol.

1975;111:1487–8. 25. Aly R, Maibach HI, Bagatell FK, Dittmar W, Hanel H, Falanga V, et al. Ciclopirox olamine lotion 1%: bioequivalence to ciclopirox olamine cream 1% and clinical efficacy in tinea pedis. Clin Ther. 1989;11:290–303. 26. Penlac package insert. Dermik Laboratories, 2000. Retrieved May 2001, from: . 27. Nussbaumer P, Dorfstatter G, Grassberger MA, Leitner I, Meingassner JG, Thirring K, et al. Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of phenyl-substituted benzylamine antimycotics: a novel benzylbenzylamine antifungal agent for systemic treatment. J Med Chem. 1993;36:2115–20. 28. Tschen E, Elewski B, Gorsulowsky DC, Pariser DM.

Treatment of interdigital tinea pedis with a 4-week once-daily regimen of butenafine hydrochloride 1% cream. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1997;36(2 pt 1):S9–14. 29. Lester M. Ketoconazole 2 percent cream in the treatment of tinea pedis, tinea cruris, and tinea corporis. Cutis. 1995;55:181–3. 30. Polak A. Antifungal activity of four antifungal drugs in the cutaneous retention time test. Sabouraudia. 1984;22:501–3. 31. Hill S, Thomas R, Smith SG, Finlay AY. An investigation of the pharmacokinetics of topical terbinafine (Lamisil) 1% cream. Br J Dermatol. 1992;127:396–400. 32. Meinicke K, Striegel C, Weidinger G. Treatment of dermatomycosis with naftifin.

Therapeutic effectiveness following once and twice daily administration. Mykosen. 1984;27:608–14. 33. Patel A, Brookman SD, Bullen MU, Marley J, Ellis DH, Williams T, et al. Topical treatment of interdigital tinea pedis: terbinafine compared with clotrimazole. Australas J Dermatol. 1999;40:197–200. 34. Ryder NS. Terbinafine: mode of action and properties of the squalene epoxidase inhibition. Br J Dermatol. 1992;126(suppl 39):2–7. 35. Bonifaz A, Saul A. Comparative study between terbinafine 1% emulsion-gel versus ketoconazole 2% cream in tinea cruris and tinea corporis. Eur J Dermatol. 2000;10:107–9. 36.

Leenutaphong V, Niumpradit N, Tangwiwat S, Sri-taveesuwan R, Muanprasat C. Double-blind study of the efficacy of 1 week topical terbinafine cream compared to 4 weeks miconazole cream in patients with tinea pedis. J Med Assoc Thai. 1999;82:1006–10. 37. Evans EG, Seaman RA, James IG. Short-duration therapy with terbinafine 1% cream in dermatophyte skin infections. Br J Dermatol. 1994:130:83–7. 38. Nada M, Hanafi S, al-Omari H, Mokhtar M, el-Shamy S, Muhlbacher J. Naftifine versus miconazole/hydrocortisone in inflammatory dermatophyte infections. Int J Dermatol. 1994;33:570–2. 39. Smith EB, Breneman DL, Griffith RF, Hebert AA, Hickman JG, Maloney JM, et al.

Double-blind comparison of naftifine cream and clotrimazole/betamethasone dipropionate cream in the treatment of tinea pedis. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1992;26:125–7. 40. Wortzel MH. A double-blind study comparing the superiority of a combination antifungal (clotrimazole)/steroidal (betamethasone dipropionate) product. Cutis. 1982;30:258–61. 41. Katz HI, Bard J, Cole GW, Fischer S, McCormick GE, Medansky RS, et al. SCH 370 (clotrimazole-betamethasone dipropionate) cream in patients with tinea cruris or tinea corporis. Cutis. 1984;34:183–8. 42. Smith ES, Fleischer AB Jr, Feldman SR. Nondermatologists are more likely than dermatologists to prescribe antifungal/corticosteroid products: an analysis of office visits for cutaneous fungal infections, 1990–1994.

J Am Acad Dermatol. 1998;39:43–7. 43. Lotrisone. Package insert. Schering Corporation, Kenilworth, N.J.: 1994. Add/view comments A to Z: Ringworm (Dermatophytosis) - KidsHealth For Parents : Akron Children's Hospital A to Z: Ringworm (Dermatophytosis) A to Z: Ringworm (Dermatophytosis) May also be called: Ringworm; Tinea; Epidermomycosis Ringworm , or dermatophytosis (der-ma-tuh-fy-TO-sis), is a highly contagious infection of the skin, hair, or nails caused by a type of fungus called a dermatophyte. It affects people of all ages but is particularly common in kids. More to Know Dermatophytosis is classified according to the part of the body that is affected. Athlete's foot and jock itch are two common forms of the condition. Ringworm isn't caused by a worm, but gets its name from the appearance of the rash. Shaped like a ring, the infection is red and swollen on the edge and healthy-looking in the center.

Either one ring or several overlapping rings can appear on the skin. These raised patches are scaly and itchy and may blister and ooze. Ringworm on the scalp can cause temporary bald spots. Ringworm on the nails can cause them to become thick, discolored, and brittle. Keep in Mind Ringworm is often treated with over-the-counter antifungal ointments. In some cases, doctors prescribe antifungal pills to be taken by mouth. Scratching the affected area can sometimes cause a bacterial infection, which can be accompanied by a fever, pus, drainage, or increasing redness. If you see signs of a fungal or bacterial infection, contact your doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment. All A to Z dictionary entries are regularly reviewed by KidsHealth medical experts. Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2015 KidsHealth® All rights reserved.

Images provided by iStock, Getty Images, Corbis, Veer, Science Photo Library, Science Source Images, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com Small Fonts Normal Fonts Large Fonts Related Resources Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) The CDC (the national public health institute of the United States) promotes health and quality of life by preventing and controlling disease, injury, and disability. American Academy of Dermatology Provides up-to-date information on the treatment and management of disorders of the skin, hair, and nails. Related Articles First Aid: Ringworm Ringworm is a common fungal infection of the skin. Here's what to do if your child has ringworm. Athlete's Foot Anyone can get athlete's foot. Find out how to avoid this itchy skin condition in this article for kids. A to Z: Tinea Cruris (Jock Itch) Tinea cruris, also known as jock itch, is a skin infection of the groin area caused by several types of fungi often found on the skin. Ringworm Ringworm isn't a worm at all - it's the name for a type of fungal skin infection. The good news is that ringworm is easy to treat.

A to Z: Tinea Capitis Tinea capitis (ringworm of the scalp) is a fungal scalp infection that can be cured with medication. Skin, Hair, and Nails Our skin protects the network of tissues, muscles, bones, nerves, blood vessels, and everything else inside our bodies. Hair and nails are actually modified types of skin. Fungal Infections What do you think of when you hear the word fungus? Do you think of mushrooms? A mushroom is one type of fungus, but fungus is also a type of germ that lives on all of us. Jock Itch Jock itch is a pretty common fungal infection of the groin and upper thighs. It is generally easy to treat - and avoid - by following a few simple steps. A to Z: Tinea Corporis (Ringworm) Tinea corporis (ringworm) is a common skin infection that usually gets better with treatment. Athlete's Foot Although the name athlete's foot sounds funny, if you have this skin infection, you're probably not laughing. The good news is that it is generally easy to treat.

Tinea (Ringworm, Jock Itch, Athlete's Foot) Jock itch, athlete's foot, and ringworm are all types of fungal skin infections known collectively as tinea. Most are easily preventable and treatable. Google+ About Akron Children's Akron Children's Hospital is one of the largest pediatric hospitals in the U.S., and ranked among the best children's hospitals by U.S. News and World Report. Our dedicated staff handles nearly 800,000 patient visits each year through our 2 hospital campuses and a large network of locations offering primary and specialty care. We're leading the way to healthier futures for children and communities through expert medical care, research, and prevention and wellness programs. As a teaching affiliate of Northeast Ohio Medical University and other universities, we train new generations of pediatricians, specialists and nurses every year. Ringworm in Dogs - Symptoms, Causes and Treatment | The Munch Zone The fungi Trichophyton mentagrophytes , Microsporum gypseum and Microsporum Canis are the common cause of ringworm in dogs. Ringworm is present in humid, hot climates.

The infected animal will spread it in their living space and the places, animals and people he comes into contact with. Ringworm spores can live in an environment for more that 18 months. Places that are highly populated with animals such as a dog park, kennel, groomers or animal shelter increase the risk of your dog contracting ringworm. If your dog has a poor immune system or health issues they are more susceptible to ringworm. Signs of Ringworm in Dogs Although ringworm can appear on any part of your dog’s body, it most commonly appears on the ears, paws, head and forelimbs. If the ringworm goes untreated, it can easily spread all over your dog’s body. At the first sign of symptoms contact your veterinarian: Small round lesion on the skin A scaly center of the round lesion Pustules in the lesion Crusted lesions How is ringworm in dogs transmitted? Transmission of ringworm occurs by your dog having direct contact with the fungus. An infected animal or even a person can spread the ringworm fungus by touching your dog or coming into contact with surfaces or objects that your dog has access to.

Fungal spores remain on objects such as carpet, bedding, brushes, food bowls, furniture and toys for more than 18 months. The length of time between direct contact with the fungus and the signs of infection ranges between 14 to 21 days. Diagnosis of Ringworm in Dogs The veterinarian will use an ultraviolet light, also referred to as a Wood’s lamp, to closely examine your dog’s hair. In addition the veterinarian will take a fungal culture of skin clippings from the infected area and examine it under a microscope. A skin biopsy may also be performed. Treatment of Ringworm in Dogs The veterinarian will determine the proper treatment by the severity of the condition. Dogs and puppies that have small isolated lesions will most-likely just heal on within a 4 month time frame, without the help of treatment. Treatment options the veterinarian will consider is medicated shampoo, miconazole ointment, oral medications, topical treatment and antifungal agents. Once treatment begins the lesions should heal within 1 to 3 weeks. A followup visit to the veterinarian is required to assure that the lesion has healed properly.

Image Source Prevention of Ringworm in Dogs Since ringworm spreads easily and can be transferred from dog to human and vice versa, pet parents will want to take steps to prevent a reoccurrence. You will want to wash all of your dog’s bedding and toys thoroughly. In addition, wash the tile or wood floors and shampoo the carpet and rugs. Wipe down surfaces that your dog had contact with using one part bleach and 10 parts water mixture to kill the fungus. Always use gloves during the cleaning process and avoid contact with the objects. If you have other pets in your household you should fully inspect their skin for lesions. If you find any of your other pets have ringworm, take them to the veterinarian immediately for proper diagnosis and treatment. You can also quarantine your infected dog until he is fully healed so prevent the spread of the fungus. How long is the infected dog contagious? Your dog remains contagious for up to 3 weeks, even during treatment. If treatment is not involved your dog will remain contagious until the proper measures and treatment is taken. Several weeks after treatment, the veterinarian will request for you to bring your dog into the office so that ringworm cultures can be performed.

This step is to assure that the fungus is completely gone and your dog is not contagious any longer. Can dogs fully recover from ringworm? Yes. Dogs that receive proper treatment in accordance with the severity of ringworm they have will recover. Pet parents are responsible for following the instructions and recommendations for treatment from the veterinarian strictly. If proper treatment measures are not taken seriously your dog can have reoccurring bouts with ringworm. At times, pet parents will see the lesion heal and disappear which gives the appearance that the fungus is gone. However, the only true way to know if your dog is fully healed from ringworm is to have one last culture taken which will allow the veterinarian to confirm healing. Ringworm in dogs is one of the most common transferable infections between dogs and humans. It is well known that humans can get ringworm and transfer it to their dog without even realizing it. Pet parents will always want to keep a close eye on their own skin as well. If you spot any unusual lesions, itching, redness or circular shaped scaly skin on your own body, visit your doctor immediately for diagnosis and treatment.

You will want to isolate yourself as much as possible from your dog and wipe down surfaces to reduce the risk of transferring the fungus to your dog or anyone else in your household. Shares

Question: The fungal infection dermatophytosis is better known by what misleading name?
Answer: Ringworm