Tinea is a superficial fungal infection of the skin, hair, or nails caused by dermatophytes (fungi that feed on keratin). It presents as itchy, red, scaly, ring-shaped lesions.
Mnemonic: "T.I.N.E.A. = Tinea Infection Needs Effective
Antifungals"
CAUSES OF TINEA (DERMATOPHYTES)
Three Main Genera of Dermatophytes:
- Microsporum → Affects head & skin.
- Trichophyton → Affects head, skin, nails.
- Epidermophyton → Affects skin & nails.
Mnemonic: "M.T.E." (Microsporum – Head & Skin,
Trichophyton – Head, Skin & Nails, Epidermophyton – Skin & Nails)
TYPES OF TINEA (BASED ON SITE OF
INFECTION)
- Tinea Capitis → Scalp Infection (Patchy Hair Loss, Black Dots, Kerion Formation).
- Tinea Barbae → Beard Area Infection (Pustules & Swelling, Common in Men).
- Tinea Faciei → Facial Infection (Outside Beard Area, Itchy, Red Patches).
- Tinea Corporis → Body Infection ("Ringworm" with Central Clearing, Well-Defined Edges).
- Tinea Cruris (Jock Itch) → Groin Infection (Red, Itchy Rash on Thighs & Buttocks, More in Males).
- Tinea Pedis (Athlete’s Foot) → Foot Infection (Peeling Skin Between Toes, Fissures, Blisters).
- Tinea Manuum → Hand Infection (One-Sided, Powdery Scaling on Palms).
- Tinea Unguium (Onychomycosis) → Nail Infection (Thick, Yellow, Crumbly Nails).
- Tinea Incognito → Atypical Tinea Due to Steroid Misuse (Fungal Infection Masked by Steroids).
Mnemonic: "C.B.F.C.C.P.M.U.I." (Capitis, Barbae, Faciei,
Corporis, Cruris, Pedis, Manuum, Unguium, Incognito)
CLINICAL FEATURES OF TINEA
- Ring-Shaped, Itchy, Scaly Red Lesions with Central Clearing.
- Well-Defined Borders, Sometimes with Pustules or Vesicles.
- Scalp Tinea → Hair Loss, Black Dots, Kerion (Boggy Swelling).
- Nail Tinea → Yellow, Thickened, Crumbly Nails.
Mnemonic: "R.I.N.G." (Red, Itchy, Nails Affected, Growing
Circular Lesions)
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF TINEA
- Eczema (No Central Clearing, More Chronic & Dry).
- Psoriasis (Silvery Scales, No Fungal Elements).
- Pityriasis Rosea (Herald Patch, No Itching).
- Seborrheic Dermatitis (Greasy, Yellowish Scales).
- Mnemonic: "E.P.P.S." (Eczema, Psoriasis, Pityriasis,
Seborrheic Dermatitis)
DIAGNOSIS OF TINEA
- Clinical Examination (Typical Ring-Shaped Lesions).
- Wood’s Lamp Test (Fluorescent Green in Microsporum Infections).
- KOH Mount (Detects Fungal Hyphae in Skin Scraping).
- Fungal Culture (For Exact Identification of Dermatophyte).
- Mnemonic: "C.W.K.F." (Clinical, Wood’s Lamp, KOH Mount,
Fungal Culture)
TREATMENT OF TINEA
1. TOPICAL ANTIFUNGALS (For Mild
Cases, Limited Infection)
- Clotrimazole, Miconazole, Terbinafine Cream (Applied for 4-6 Weeks).
- Whitfield’s Ointment (For Hyperkeratotic Lesions on Palms & Soles).
Mnemonic: "C.M.T.W." (Clotrimazole, Miconazole,
Terbinafine, Whitfield’s Ointment)
2. ORAL ANTIFUNGALS (For Severe
or Scalp/Nail Infections)
- Griseofulvin (Drug of Choice for Tinea Capitis, 8 Weeks Course).
- Itraconazole (200 mg Twice Daily for 7 Days for Tinea Corporis & Cruris).
- Fluconazole (150 mg Once a Week for 4-6 Weeks).
- Terbinafine (250 mg Daily for 2 Weeks in Skin Infections, 3-6 Months in Nail Infections).
Mnemonic: "G.I.F.T." (Griseofulvin, Itraconazole,
Fluconazole, Terbinafine)
3. GENERAL MEASURES
- Maintain Good Hygiene (Regular Bathing, Keeping Skin Dry).
- Avoid Sharing Personal Items (Towels, Combs, Clothing).
- Wear Loose, Breathable Clothing (To Reduce Sweat & Humidity).
- Wash & Iron Clothes at High Temperature (Kills Fungal Spores).
Mnemonic: "H.A.L.W." (Hygiene, Avoid Sharing, Loose
Clothes, Wash & Iron Clothes)
HOMOEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT OF TINEA
- For Itchy, Ring-Shaped Lesions:
- Sulphur, Bacillinum, Psorinum, Sepia.
- For Thickened, Crumbly Nails (Tinea Unguium):
- Graphites, Silicea, Thuja, Antimonium Crudum.
- For Recurrent & Resistant Tinea:
- Tellurium, Kali Sulph, Arsenicum Album.
Mnemonic: "S.B.P.S." (Sulphur, Bacillinum, Psorinum,
Sepia for Skin Tinea)
FINAL REVISION WITH MNEMONICS
- Definition = "T.I.N.E.A. = Tinea Infection Needs Effective Antifungals"
- Dermatophytes = "M.T.E." (Microsporum – Head & Skin, Trichophyton – Head, Skin & Nails, Epidermophyton – Skin & Nails)
- Types = "C.B.F.C.C.P.M.U.I." (Capitis, Barbae, Faciei, Corporis, Cruris, Pedis, Manuum, Unguium, Incognito)
- Symptoms = "R.I.N.G." (Red, Itchy, Nails Affected, Growing Circular Lesions)
- Differential = "E.P.P.S." (Eczema, Psoriasis, Pityriasis, Seborrheic Dermatitis)
- Diagnosis = "C.W.K.F." (Clinical, Wood’s Lamp, KOH Mount, Fungal Culture)
- Topical Treatment = "C.M.T.W." (Clotrimazole, Miconazole, Terbinafine, Whitfield’s Ointment)
- Oral Treatment = "G.I.F.T." (Griseofulvin, Itraconazole, Fluconazole, Terbinafine)
- General Measures = "H.A.L.W." (Hygiene, Avoid Sharing, Loose Clothes, Wash & Iron Clothes)
- Homeopathy = "S.B.P.S." (Sulphur, Bacillinum, Psorinum, Sepia for Skin Tinea)
