Dermatophytosis history and symptoms

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Syed Hassan A. Kazmi BSc, MD [2]

The hallmark of dermatophytosis is an enlarged, raised red ring with central clearing. Infection on the skin of the feet may cause athlete's foot and infection of the groin area may result in jock itch. Involvement of the nails is termed onychomycosis, and they may thicken, discolor, and finally crumble or fall off.

Patients presenting with dermatophytosis may present with the following history:^{_Ringworm_|_Types_of_Diseases_|_Fungal_Diseases_|_CDC-1|[1]}

• Dermatophytosis affected patients may have a history of weakened immune system and may have problems fighting off a ringworm infection
• People may present with a history of usage of public showers or locker rooms or they may be athletes (particularly those who are involved in contact sports such as wrestling)
• People who wear tight shoes and have excessive sweating may also present with dermatophytosis
• Patient may have a history of close contact with animals
• There may be a history of fungal infection in other family members

Symptoms of dermatophytosis include:^{_Ringworm_|_Types_of_Diseases_|_Fungal_Diseases_|_CDC-2|[2]}

• Itchy, red, raised, scaly patches that may blister and ooze
• The patches tend to have sharply-defined edges
• Red patches with a central clearing that may look like a ring

• If ringworm affects the hair, patients may have bald patches

• If ringworm affects the nails, they may become discolored, thick, and even crumble

• Pustules and vesicles at the active edge of the infected area
• Maceration
• Red, scaling lesions with raised borders

• Fissuring, maceration, and scaling in the interdigital spaces of the fourth and fifth toes
• Itching or burning
• Vesiculobullous form of tinea pedis is characterized by the development of vesicles, pustules, and bullae in an inflammatory pattern on the soles

• Itching and burning, which become worse after sunlight exposure
• Round or annular red patches
• Red areas may be indistinct, especially on darkly pigmented skin
• May have little or no scaling or raised edges

• Palmar surface is diffusely dry and hyperkeratotic
• When the fingernails are involved, vesicles and scant scaling may be present

Less common symptoms of dermatophytosis include:

• Blister formation
• "Black dot" appearance in scalp infection
• “Kerion,” which is a boggy, sterile, inflammatory scalp mass
• Cervical or occipital lymphadenopathy
• Border of the lesion may contain pustules or follicular papules
• Itching and burning

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