Tinea (Fungal Skin Infection)

Tinea, commonly known as ringworm, is a fungal infection of the skin, scalp, or nails caused by dermatophyte fungi. Despite its name, it is not caused by a worm, and it spreads through direct contact or contaminated objects.

• Itchy, red, ring-shaped patch with a raised, scaly border and often clearer skin in the centre
• Scalp involvement (tinea capitis) can cause patchy hair loss with scaling, more common in children
• Nail involvement causes thickened, discoloured, and crumbly nails
• Involvement between the toes ("athlete's foot") causes itching, cracking, and peeling skin

• Caused by dermatophyte fungi that thrive on the skin's outer layer, hair, and nails.
• Spread through direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected person or animal, or indirectly via contaminated combs, towels, clothing, or shared sports equipment.
• Risk is increased by warm, humid climates, sweating, tight clothing or footwear, and close contact settings such as schools.

• Mainly a clinical diagnosis based on the characteristic appearance and distribution of the rash.
• Skin scraping for microscopic examination or fungal culture, where available, can confirm the diagnosis in uncertain or treatment-resistant cases.

Localised tinea of the skin is treated with a topical antifungal cream, such as clotrimazole, applied twice daily for 2–4 weeks, continuing for a period after visible symptoms clear to prevent recurrence.

Tinea of the scalp or nails generally requires an oral antifungal medicine, such as griseofulvin or terbinafine, as topical treatment alone is usually not effective for these sites.

Keeping the affected area clean and dry, and avoiding sharing personal items such as combs, hats, and towels, supports treatment and helps prevent spread to others.

Extensive, recurrent, or treatment-resistant infections may need referral for further assessment.

• Keep skin clean and dry, especially in skin folds and between the toes.
• Avoid sharing combs, hats, towels, and clothing.
• Wear breathable footwear and change socks regularly, particularly in hot or humid conditions.
• Treat infected pets or seek veterinary advice, as some tinea infections can spread from animals to people.