Favus Health Dictionary

The general term applied to diseases due to the growth of fungi in the body. Among some of the simplest and commonest mycoses are RINGWORM, FAVUS, and thrush (CANDIDA). The MADURA FOOT of India, ACTINOMYCOSIS, and occasional cases of PNEUMONIA and suppurative ear disease are also due to the growth of moulds in the bodily tissues. Other forms of mycosis include ASPERGILLOSIS, candidiasis (see CANDIDA), CRYPTOCOCCOSIS and HISTOPLASMOSIS.... mycosis

Ringworm, or tinea, is the name given to in?ammatory rashes caused by DERMATOPHYTES of the genera microsporum, epidermophyton and trichophyton. These fungi can infect skin, hair and nails. The important clinical patterns are:

Tinea capitis Usually seen in children in Britain and caused by microsporum species of human or animal (frequently a kitten) origin. Typically, patches of ALOPECIA are seen with broken-o? hair stumps which ?uoresce bright green under an ultraviolet (Wood’s) lamp. In Asia a chronic, scarring alopecia may be caused by a speci?c trichophyton (favus).

Tinea corporis is usually due to trichophyton species and forms ringed (hence ‘ringworm’) patches of redness and scaling on the trunk or limbs.

Tinea pedis (athlete’s foot) is caused by epidermophyton or trichophyton species. Its minor form manifests as itching, scaling or blistering in the lateral toe clefts. More severe forms can be extensive on the sole. Trichophyton rubrum can cause a chronic, dry, scaling in?ammation of the foot, eventually extending into the nails and on to the soles and top of the foot which may persist for years if untreated.

Tinea cruris typically causes a ‘butter?y’ rash on the upper inner thighs in young adult males. It is usually caused by spread from the feet.

Tinea unguium (onychomycosis) Affecting the nails, especially of the toes, T. rubrum is the usual cause and may persist for decades.

Tinea barbae This rash of the face and beard is rare. It may be very in?ammatory and is usually contracted from cattle by farm workers.

Treatment Tinea of the toe clefts and groin will usually respond to an antifungal cream containing terbina?ne or an azole. Tinea capitis, barbae, extensive tinea corporis and all nail infections require oral treatment with terbina?ne or itraconazole (a triazole antifungal agent taken orally and used for candidiasis of the mouth, throat and vulgovaginal area as well as for ringworm) which have largely superseded the earlier treatment with the antiobiotic griseofulvin. (See FUNGAL AND YEAST INFECTIONS.)... ringworm