Superficial Dermatophytic Infection Prevention and Its Management: A Review

Abstract

Dermatophytes are a group of parasitic fungi that live at the expense of the keratin in the skin, nails and hair. They are generally confined to the stratum corneum of the epidermis and skin appendages, particularly in the tropics, where heat and humidity provide the ideal conditions for the growth of fungi that cause cutaneous infections. The dermatophytes that usually cause only superficial infections of the skin are grouped into three genera: Trichophyton, Microsporum, and Epidermophyton. They can be classified into three groups according to their normal habitats: anthropophilic species, zoophilic species and geophilic species. Dermatophyte infections are subclassified in Latin names according to the sites of skin involved, e.g. Tinea faciei, Tinea manuum, Tinea corporis, Tinea cruris, Tinea pedis, Tinea capitis, Tinea unguium. Trichophyton rubrum is the most common cause worldwide for superficial dermatophytosis. By their metabolic activity they produce inflammatory responses in the form of erythema, scaling, postulation and micro-abscess formation giving rise to itching and discomfort. The high prevalence rate of superficial dermatophytic infection has shown that 20-25% of the world’s population. The diagnosis was confirmed on the basis of clinical presentation, KOH examination of skin and would light examination. The article also discusses the main treatments for superficial dermatophytosis, with a practical approach to the most commonly used topical and systemic drugs, referring also to their dosage and duration of use in different types of the dermatophytic infection. Keywords: Dermatophytosis; Trichophyton rubrum; Tinea; KOH examination.