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Tinea barbae (tinea sycosis): experience with nine cases
Alexandro Bonifaz1, Teresa Ramírez-Tamayo, Amado Saúl
1Dermatology Service and Micology Department, General Hospital of Mexico, Dr. Balmis 148, col Doctores CP 06720, México D.F., Mexico.
The Journal of Dermatology
|January 24, 2004
Summary
Tinea barbae, a rare fungal infection of beard hair, presents in deep forms like folliculitis and kerion. This study details 9 cases, identifying causative fungi and successful systemic antifungal treatments.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Tinea barbae is a fungal infection impacting beard and mustache hair follicles.
- It is a rare condition, often presenting as deep-seated infections.
Observation:
- This study analyzed 9 cases of tinea barbae over 18 years.
- Cases included 1 superficial and 8 deep infections (6 folliculitis-like, 2 kerion-like).
- Associated factors included topical steroid use (4 cases), pet contact (3 cases), and diabetes (1 case).
Findings:
- Commonly isolated dermatophytes were *Trichophyton rubrum*, *Microsporum canis*, *Trichophyton mentagrophytes*, and *Trichophyton tonsurans*.
- All patients exhibited a positive trichophytin skin reaction.
- Systemic antifungal treatments (griseofulvin, ketoconazole, itraconazole, terbinafine) led to clinical and mycological cures within 6-8 weeks.
Implications:
- Highlights the varied clinical presentations and causative agents of tinea barbae.
- Demonstrates the efficacy of systemic antifungal therapy for tinea barbae.
- Suggests considering tinea barbae in differential diagnoses for beard/mustache inflammatory conditions, especially with risk factors.