tinea favosa

What is Tinea Favosa?

Tinea favosa, also known as favus, is a severe and chronic inflammatory dermatophyte infection caused by the fungus Trichophyton schoenleinii. It primarily affects the scalp, but can occasionally involve other body parts.

Characteristics of Tinea Favosa:

• Yellowish Cup-Shaped Crusts: The condition is characterized by the formation of yellowish, cup-shaped crusts or scutula on the scalp.
• Scarring and Alopecia: These lesions can result in scarring or non-scarring alopecia (hair loss).
• Chronic Infection: Tinea favosa is a chronic infection that can persist for an extended period if left untreated.

Causes of Tinea Favosa:

• Dermatophyte Fungus: The condition is caused by the dermatophyte fungus Trichophyton schoenleinii.
• Anthropophilic and Zoophilic Strains: T. violaceum, T. verrucosum, zoophilic T. mentagrophytes (referred to as 'var. quinckeanum'), Microsporum canis, and geophilic M. gypseum have also been recovered from fav

Symptoms of Tinea Infection

Tinea infection, also known as ringworm, can manifest in various ways depending on the affected area of the body. Here are some common symptoms:

• Scalp: Red, scaly rash on the scalp; Itching of the scalp; Hair loss on the scalp [1]
• Skin: A red flaky rash that can crack, split and peel [3]
• Feet: Itchy, red blisters between your toes, cracked skin [3]
• Nails: Thickening or discoloration of the nails [3]

Other Symptoms

In addition to these specific symptoms, tinea infection can also cause:

• Itching and stinging: A sensation of itching or stinging in the affected area [5]
• Red scaly rash: A ring-shaped red scaly rash that can be itchy and uncomfortable [5]
• Cracking, splitting and peeling: In the toe web spaces, blisters can form and crack, leading to peeling skin [5]

Tinea Capitis

Tinea capitis is a specific type of tinea infection that affects the scalp. It begins as a small erythematous papule around a hair shaft on the scalp, eyebrows, or eyelashes. Within a few days, the red papule becomes paler and can lead to scarring and hair loss [8].

Favus or Tinea Favosa

Favus or tinea favosa is a chronic inflammatory dermatophyte infection of the scalp and, less commonly, of the glabrous skin and nails. It has an insidious course, usually lacking an acute phase, and often the patient does not feel any need to consult a physician [10].

References

[1] Context 1: Pain in the groin area. Symptoms of scalp ringworm (tinea capitis) may include: Red, scaly rash on the scalp; Itching of the scalp; Hair loss on the scalp ...

[3] Context 3: What are the symptoms of tinea? · Skin: a red flaky rash that can crack, split and peel. · Feet: itchy, red blisters between your toes, cracked skin. · Nails: ...

[5] Context 5: Symptoms of tinea · Itching and stinging · Red scaly rash · Cracking, splitting and peeling

[8] Context 8: Tinea capitis is a specific type of tinea infection that affects the scalp. It begins as a small erythematous papule around a hair shaft on the scalp, eyebrows, or eyelashes. Within a few days, the red papule becomes paler and can lead to scarring and hair loss.

[10] Context 11: Favus or tinea favosa is a chronic inflammatory dermatophyte infection of the scalp and, less commonly, of the glabrous skin and nails. It has an insidious course, usually lacking an acute phase, and often the patient does not feel any need to consult a physician.

Diagnostic Tests for Tinea Favosa

Tinea favosa, also known as favus, is a severe and chronic inflammatory dermatophyte infection caused by the fungus Trichophyton schoenleinii. Diagnosing this condition can be challenging due to its rarity and similarity in symptoms with other skin conditions. However, several diagnostic tests can help confirm the presence of tinea favosa.

• Microscopic Examination: This is a crucial test for diagnosing tinea favosa. A sample of skin scrapings or hair pulled out by the roots is examined under a microscope to identify the fungus [3]. The characteristic "spaghetti and meatballs" appearance of the fungal elements can confirm the diagnosis.
• Culture: Growing the fungus from a skin scraping or hair sample in a laboratory culture can also confirm the presence of tinea favosa [6].
• Dermoscopy: This non-invasive test uses a special microscope to examine the skin and hair for signs of infection. Dermoscopy has been shown to be highly efficient and precise in diagnosing tinea capitis, which is similar to tinea favosa [5].
• Calcium Fluorescent Microscopy: This test uses a fluorescent dye to highlight the fungal elements in the skin or hair sample. It can help confirm the diagnosis of tinea favosa [5].
• Wood Lamp Exam (Ultraviolet Light): This examination involves shining ultraviolet light on the affected area to detect signs of infection. However, this test is mainly used for diagnosing tinea capitis and not specifically for tinea favosa [9].

It's essential to note that a combination of these tests may be necessary to confirm the diagnosis of tinea favosa.

References:

[3] - Microscopic examination is central to the office diagnosis of any tinea infection. [5] - Dermoscopy and calcium fluorescent microscopy as highly efficient and precise diagnostic tools for tinea capitis. [6] - Laboratory diagnosis of tinea capitis depends on examination and culture of skin rubbings, skin scrapings, or hair pluckings (epilated hair). [9] - Wood light (UV light) examination may be performed to diagnose tinea capitis.

The differential diagnosis of tinea favosa, also known as favus or tinea favosa, involves identifying other conditions that may present with similar symptoms.

• Seborrheic dermatitis: This is a common condition characterized by a scaly, itchy scalp. It can be difficult to distinguish from tinea capitis, but seborrheic dermatitis typically does not involve hair loss or the formation of scutula (a characteristic feature of favus) [10].
• Atopic dermatitis: Also known as eczema, this condition can cause a scaly, itchy scalp. However, atopic dermatitis is often associated with other skin symptoms and a personal or family history of allergies [13].
• Psoriasis: This chronic autoimmune condition can cause scaly patches on the scalp, but psoriasis typically does not involve hair loss or the formation of scutula [14].
• Alopecia areata: This condition is characterized by patchy hair loss, which can be mistaken for tinea capitis. However, alopecia areata does not typically involve a scaly scalp or the formation of scutula [13].
• Dandruff: This is a mild, non-inflammatory condition that causes flaking skin on the scalp. While dandruff can be itchy and scaly, it does not typically involve hair loss or the formation of scutula [14].

It's essential to note that the differential diagnosis of tinea favosa can be extensive, and accurate diagnosis requires a thorough examination and consideration of individual clinical manifestations [14].