Tinea faciei

Tinea faciei
Other names	Ringworm of the face
Tinea faciei
Specialty	Dermatology
Symptoms	Facial ringworm appears as one or more pink-to-red scaly patches which contain bumps, blisters, or scabs.They can be itchy, and it may get worse or feel sunburned after exposure to the sun.
Treatment	topical creams and lotions: Terbinafine, Clotrimazole, Miconazole, Econazole, Oxiconazole, Ketoconazole, Sulconazole, Naftifine

Tinea faciei is a fungal infection of the skin of the face. ^[1] It generally appears as a photosensitive painless red rash with small bumps and a raised edge appearing to grow outwards, usually over eyebrows or one side of the face. ^[1]

Tinea faciei can be due to an anthropophilic (human) fungus such as Trichophyton rubrum (T rubrum). Infection often comes from the feet (tinea pedis) or nails (tinea unguium) originally. ^[2]

Zoophilic (animal) fungi such as Microsporum canis (M canis) is acquired from cats and dogs, and T verrucosum, from farm cattle, are also common.

The site of infection may feel wet or have some crusting, and overlying hairs may fall out easily. ^[3] There may be a mild itch. ^[4]

Causes & Risk Factors

• Direct contact with infected humans, animals (e.g., pets), or soil.
• Compromised immunity, excessive sweating, or misuse of corticosteroids.

Diagnosis

Source: ^[5]

• Clinical examination: Distinctive rash morphology. ^[6]
• KOH microscopy : Reveals hyphae in skin scrapings. ^[7]
• Wood’s lamp: Limited utility (some species fluoresce green).
• Fungal culture/PCR : For resistant or atypical cases.

Treatment

Most infections can be treated with topical antifungal medication. Rarely, more extensive or long-standing infections may require treatment with oral antifungals. The infection will still be contagious between 24 and 48 hours of the first treatment.

The ringworm should go away within 4–6 weeks after using effective treatment.

Prevention

• Practice good hygiene (wash hands, avoid sharing towels).
• Treat infected pets or household contacts.
• Keep facial skin clean and dry.

See also

• Tinea corporis
• Antifungal drug
• List of cutaneous conditions
• Ringworm

References

1. James, William D.; Elston, Dirk; Treat, James R.; Rosenbach, Misha A.; Neuhaus, Isaac (2020). "15. Diseases resulting from fungi and yeasts". Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology (13th ed.). Edinburgh: Elsevier. p. 295. ISBN   978-0-323-54753-6.
2. "Tinea faciei". DermNet®. 2023-10-26. Retrieved 2025-05-01.
3. "Tinea faciei (face) and barbae (beard)". www.pcds.org.uk. Retrieved 18 September 2021.
4. Ginter-Hanselmayer, Gabriele; Nenoff, Pietro (2018). Presterl, Elisabeth (ed.). Clinically Relevant Mycoses: A Practical Approach. Springer. pp. 149–150. ISBN   978-3-319-92300-0.
5. "Tinea faciei". DermNet®. 2023-10-26. Retrieved 2025-05-01.
6. "Ringworm: Diagnosis and treatment". www.aad.org. Retrieved 2025-05-01.
7. Sahoo, Alok Kumar; Mahajan, Rahul (2016). "Management of tinea corporis, tinea cruris, and tinea pedis: A comprehensive review". Indian Dermatology Online Journal. 7 (2): 77–86. doi: 10.4103/2229-5178.178099 . ISSN   2229-5178. PMC   4804599 . PMID   27057486.