Tinea - an overview

Tinea is a common fungal infection caused by a dermatophyte (syn. ringworm).

For detailed information on tinea refer to the related chapters. This chapter provides an overview on tinea and is set out as follows:

• Tinea is a common fungal infection caused by a dermatophyte

• Depending on the host on which they survive they are defined as either:
• Anthropophilic - human host
• Zoophilic - animal host
• Geophilic - live in the soil

• Most infections are anthropophilic ie passed from human to human. Zoophilic species can occasionally infect humans causing a more vigorous inflammatory reaction

• There are three genera of dermatophytes - Trichophyton, Microsporum and Epidermophyton

• The most common organism in the UK is Trichophyton rubrum, except on the scalp where Trichophyton tonsurans and Microsporum canis predominate 

• Can be itchy

• Tinea should be part of the differential diagnosis of any rash that is asymmetrical and / or has a leading edge, which is erythematous and scaly

• For the purpose of this website the different presentations of tinea have been grouped together on the basis of clinical appearance and / or distribution:
• Tinea corporis (body), tinea cruris (groin), tinea incognito (steroid exacerbated), and tinea imbricata
• Tinea pedis (feet), manuum (hands) and unguium (nails)
• Tinea capitis (scalp)
• Tinea faciei (face) and barbae (beard)

• Refer to the related chapters for more detailed information on the above