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.
Tinea barbae usually causes superficial, circular patches, but deeper infection may occur. Tinea barbae is rare. Most skin infections in the beard area are caused by bacteria, not fungi.
Image provided by Thomas Habif, MD.
Utambuzi wa Tinea Barbae
A doctor's examination of the beard area
Examination of plucked hairs or a culture
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.
Matibabu ya Choa wa Ndevu
Antifungal medications taken by mouth
Sometimes a corticosteroid
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 corticosteroid such as prednisone taken by mouth to lessen symptoms and perhaps reduce the chance of scarring.
