Beard ringworm is a dermatophyte (fungal) infection, generally of the beard area.
(See also Overview of Fungal Skin Infections.)
Tinea barbae is a type of dermatophytosis. It is most often caused by the fungus Trichophyton mentagrophytes or Trichophyton verrucosum. Infection may occur after recent shaving at barbershops, animal exposure (dairy cows or pets), or in patients whose immune systems are suppressed.
Tinea barbae usually causes superficial, circular patches andsometimes hardened, inflamed nodules that may scar; even deeper infection mayoccur. Tinea barbae is rare. Most skin infections in the beard area are caused by bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, not fungi.
Image provided by Thomas Habif, MD.
Diagnosis of Tinea Barbae
A doctor's examination of the beard area
Examination of plucked hairs or a culture
Doctors may suspect tinea barbae if a person with symptoms had recently been shaved at a barbershop or was exposed to animals that may have been contaminated (such as dairy cows or pets). Doctors diagnose tinea barbae by examining plucked hairs under a microscope or by doing a culture (the process of growing an organism in a laboratory for identification) or biopsy.
Treatment of Beard Ringworm
Antifungal medications taken by mouth
Sometimes a steroid (also sometimes known as a glucocorticoid or corticosteroid)
Treatment of tinea barbae is with an antifungal medication, such as griseofulvin, terbinafine, or itraconazole, taken by mouth. Treatment of tinea barbae is with an antifungal medication, such as griseofulvin, terbinafine, or itraconazole, taken by mouth.
If the area is severely inflamed, doctors may add a steroid such as prednisone taken by mouth for a short period to lessen symptoms and perhaps reduce the likelihood of scarring.If the area is severely inflamed, doctors may add a steroid such as prednisone taken by mouth for a short period to lessen symptoms and perhaps reduce the likelihood of scarring.
Drugs Mentioned In This Article
