User:Mr. Ibrahem/Dermatophytosis

Dermatophytosis, also known as tinea and ringworm, is a fungal infection of the outer layer of skin, hair, or nails, typically caused by Trichophyton, Microsporum, or Epidermophyton. It tends to result in a red, itchy, scaly, circular rash. Hair loss may occur in the area affected. Symptoms begin 4 to 14 days after exposure. It includes dermatophyte infections of the head, body, hands, feet, groin, beard, and nails.

About 40 types of fungi can cause ringworm. Risk factors include using public showers, contact sports such as wrestling, excessive sweating, contact with animals, obesity, and poor immune function. It can spread from other animals, between people, and from objects such as a hair brush, or from soil. Diagnosis is often based on the appearance and symptoms. It may be confirmed by either culturing or looking at a skin scraping under a microscope.

Prevention is by keeping the skin dry, not walking barefoot in public, and not sharing personal items. Treatment is typically with antifungal creams such as clotrimazole or miconazole. If the scalp is involved, antifungals by mouth such as fluconazole may be needed.

Globally, up to 20% of the population may be infected by ringworm at any given time. Infections of the groin are more common in males, while infections of the scalp and body occur equally in both sexes. Infections of the scalp are most common in children while infections of the groin are most common in the elderly. Descriptions of ringworm date back to ancient history.