Fungal Infections (Ringworm, Athlete's Foot & Yeast)

Types of Fungal Skin Infections

Tinea (Dermatophyte) Infections

• Tinea corporis (ringworm) — scaly, ring-shaped patches on the body
• Tinea pedis (athlete's foot) — scaling, maceration, and blistering between toes and on soles
• Tinea cruris (jock itch) — red, itchy rash in the groin and inner thighs
• Tinea capitis — scalp ringworm, most common in children; can cause kerion (inflamed boggy plaque) and scarring

Candidal Infections

• Cutaneous candidiasis — beefy red plaques in moist skin folds (under breasts, groin, axillae) with satellite pustules
• Oral candidiasis (thrush)
• Candidal paronychia — nail fold infection

Pityriasis Versicolor

*Malassezia furfur* overgrowth causing hypo- or hyperpigmented scaly patches on the trunk; more visible in summer.

Treatment

| Infection | First-Line | |---|---| | Tinea corporis/pedis/cruris | Topical terbinafine, clotrimazole, miconazole (2–4 weeks) | | Tinea capitis | Oral griseofulvin or terbinafine (6–12 weeks) | | Candidiasis | Topical nystatin or azole; oral fluconazole for refractory/widespread | | Pityriasis versicolor | Topical selenium sulfide, ketoconazole shampoo; oral fluconazole |