Tinea Barbae
Tinea Barbae
Key Points
Condition results in an infection of the beard and moustache areas of the face with a dermatophyte fungus, commonly called ringworm.
Condition generally affects only adult men, and most often farmers with direct contact with infected animals.
Condition results in fungal spores on the outside of the coarse facial hair, and with swelling, red lumpy areas, pus-filled blisters, and crusting around the hair, but is not excessively itchy or painful.
Tinea barbae is an infection of the beard and moustache areas of the face with a dermatophyte fungus, commonly referred to as ringworm. It generally affects only adult men. The cause of tinea barbae is most often an animal fungus such as trichophyton verrucosum and trichophyton mentagrophytes var. equinum. Tinea barbae is usually due to infection of coarse facial hair with a pattern of fungal spores on the outside of the hair.
Tinea barbae most often affects farmers and is due to direct contact with an infected animal. It is rarely passed from one person to another. Tinea barbae is usually very inflamed with red lumpy areas, pus-filled blisters and crusting around the hairs (kerion). The hairs can be pulled out easily. Surprisingly, it is not excessively itchy or painful.
Tinea barbae can result in an Id reaction, especially just after starting antifungal treatment.
Differential Diagnosis (Other conditions with similar appearance)
Acne Vulgaria
Actinomycosis
Folliculitis
Rosacea
Syphilis
Diagnosis
Key Points
Diagnosis confirmed through clinical inspection and skin scraping cultures and hair pulled out by the roots.
The diagnosis of tinea pedis is confirmed through clinical inspection by microscopy and culture of skin scrapings and hair pulled out by the roots.
Treatment
Key Points
Most forms of tinea are treated with topical antifungal creams or antifungal medications.
If treatment is unsuccessful, consult your doctor as there may be additional causes.
Most forms of tinea are treated with topical antifungal creams or antifungal medications.