Tinea mycosis is a disease caused by fungi that have the ability to break down the keratin present in the epidermis, hair and nails (or dermatophytes). The most common disease process is the hairy scalp, but eruptions are also described on hairless skin and nails. Clipping mycosis of the skin is a condition that typically occurs in pre-pubertal children. There are two types of mycosis, superficial and deep, which differ in their clinical picture, course, treatment method and complications.

Clipping mycosisof the scalp is caused by dermatophytes. They are one of the three species of fungi (next to yeast-like and mold fungi) that are responsible for the majority of fungal infections of the skin, hair and nails in humans.

Among the most frequently described diseases caused by these fungi are:

  • mycosis of smooth skin
  • athlete's foot
  • athlete's foot
  • onychomycosis
  • mycosis of the scalp (including tinea pedis)
  • beard mycosis

Dermatophytoses are caused by several species of fungi, both anthropophilic (i.e. dermatophytes transmitted from human to human, they can be infected with them through contact with other people) and zoophilic (zoonotic - humans become infected through contact with animals, and carriers of microorganisms are often domestic animals!) and geophilic (living in the soil).

It is worth noting that infections with zoophilic and geophilic dermatophytes usually cause a greater immune response and inflammation than anthropophilic fungi.

Among the most frequently described species of fungi causing clippings on the scalp, there are those of the genusTrichophyton(especiallyTrichophyton rubrum ) and Microsporum .

A characteristic feature of dermatophytes is the production of keratolytic enzymes that allow them to digest keratin and penetrate into the structures that contain it, i.e. the epidermis, hair and nails. The humid environment favors the growth of fungi.

Shearing mycosis: who gets sick?

According to specialists, susceptibility to infectionfungi of the species of dermatophytes may depend on the age, sex and even ethnicity of a person. However, the most important factor in the development of the disease is the efficiency of the immune system.

Shearing mycosis is much more common in children, the elderly, as well as in people who suffer from skin changes (microtrauma, maceration) and those who stay for a long time in a warm and humid climate.

Higher rates of mycosis have also been reported in poorer, poorly hygienic environments.

Mycosis: symptoms

Superficial vaginal mycosis of the scalp is characterized by the presence of small, numerous, round, exfoliating lesions that are well demarcated from he althy skin.

A typical feature is intense itching of the skin covered with flashes.

Within the outbreaks, you can notice delicate, thinning, grayish hair, broken at an uneven height, which looks poorly trimmed, as well as numerous black, tiny spots. This is where the name of the disease "clippings mycosis" comes from.

It is also worth mentioning that despite the presence of a slight inflammation of the affected skin, even in the advanced stage of superficial mycosis, scarring and permanent alopecia do not occur. Hair grows back completely, even without pharmacotherapy.

In contrast, the deep shearing mycosis is characterized by the presence of erythematous foci with exfoliating skin. Within them, painful, inflammatory nodular changes of various sizes can be observed. Tumors are prone to softening, and may even ooze purulent contents.

The hair follicles in the affected skin are destroyed and the hair falls out on its own. As a result, after the lumps are healed, scars remain on the skin, and the hair, unfortunately, does not grow back.

It is worth mentioning that clinical symptoms such as malaise, fever, headache and enlargement of the lymph nodes located in the head and neck are often described in the course of deep shearing mycosis.

Shearing mycosis: course

The superficial form of shearing mycosis of the skin is characterized by a chronic course. The literature describes the cure of the disease, despite not using pharmacotherapy in adolescents after adolescence.

The deep form of mycosis is characterized by a more severe course and an unfavorable prognosis in terms of hair preservation. Outbreaks of scarring on the skin cause damage to the hair follicles and permanent hair loss, despite being earlyapplying the correct treatment.

Mycosis: diagnosis and diagnosis

The diagnosis of mycosis of superficial hairy skin is made by a specialist dermatologist.

A patient who notices skin lesions indicating mycosis should first see their GP to get a referral to a dermatologist.

Shearing mycosis is diagnosed by its typical clinical picture. The final confirmation of the diagnosis is obtained after microscopic examination of the hair and scales taken from lesions for the presence of the fungus (the intra-hair spore system is characteristic) and after culturing the skin scrapings or a hair fragment in laboratory conditions.

It is also worth mentioning the possibility of using Wood's lamp in the diagnosis of shearing mycosis, because most species of the Microsporum genus show bright green fluorescence in the light of the lamp.

Mycosis: treatment

Treatment of tinea capitis is based on the use of topical antifungal preparations, such as ketoconazole, miconazole, clotrimazole or terbinafine.

In advanced stages of the disease and the occurrence of numerous disease outbreaks, systemic treatment is also used, consisting in the administration of antifungal drugs containing, for example, itraconazole, fluconazole, griseofulvin or terbinafine.

In the case of the treatment of the deep clipping mycosis variety, one should not forget about decontaminating the lesions and introducing antibiotics and anti-inflammatory agents.

The skin changes should improve in 2-4. weeks of therapy.

Mycosis: differentiation

The superficial shearing mycosis of the scalp should be differentiated primarily from diseases such as:

  • psoriasis
  • dandruff
  • Gilbert's pink dandruff
  • alopecia areata
  • seborrheic eczema
  • pimple eczema

However, before diagnosing the form of deep clipping mycosis, among others, furunculosis and purulent inflammation of the hair follicles on the scalp should be ruled out.

Category:

Dermatology