Generality
Tinea barbae (or beard ringworm) is a "fungal infection that involves the skin surface of the face and neck, in areas where beards and mustaches are present.
Usually, tinea barbae involves the formation of superficial annular lesions, but it can also lead to a deeper infection, similar to folliculitis. Sometimes, this dermatophytosis causes the onset of an inflammatory kerion, which can lead to hair loss in the areas of scarring.
The diagnosis of tinea barbae is formulated on the basis of dermatological evaluation and microscopic, histological or cultural examination.
In mild cases, treatment involves the use of topical drugs (to be applied topically to the skin), but systemic antifungals (to be taken orally) are generally needed, such as griseofulvin, terbinafine and itraconazole. In the presence of severe inflammatory lesions, to help relieve itching and pain, your doctor may also prescribe corticosteroids.
Causes
Tinea barbae is a localized dermatophytosis in the beard and mustache area.
It is usually caused by such fungi Trichophyton, which parasitize the stratum corneum of the epidermis and the keratinized skin appendages, such as hair, nails and hair. Thanks to some enzymes, these keratinophilic and keratinolytic fungi are capable of lysing the horny structures of the skin, nails and hair, using the products of demolition as nourishment.
The mechanism underlying tinea barbae is similar to that of tinea capitis: in both conditions, the invasion of the hair, hair and hair follicles by dermatophytes induces an inflammatory response.
The species of fungi most commonly responsible for the onset of tinea barbae are:
- Trichophyton mentagrophytes;
- Trichophyton verrucosum;
Less often, however, infections are due to:
- Trichophyton violaceum;
- Trichophyton rubrum;
- Microsporum canis.
