Atheletes foot/ Ringworm/ Tinea
● Tinea (Dermatophytosis / Fungal Infection)
Tinea is a fungal infection caused by dermatophytes — a type of mold that infects the skin, nails, or hair.
Common conditions such as athlete’s foot (mizumushi) and ringworm (tamushi) are types of tinea.
Common conditions such as athlete’s foot (mizumushi) and ringworm (tamushi) are types of tinea.
● Symptom
• Tinea pedis (Athlete’s foot)
– Moist, peeling, or itchy skin between the toes.
– In some cases, thickened and scaly skin appears on the soles or heels.
• Tinea unguium (Nail fungus / Onychomycosis)
– Nails become white or yellowish, thickened, brittle, or crumbly.
• Tinea corporis (Ringworm)
– Circular red rash with clearer centers and raised, spreading edges — giving a “ring-like” appearance.
– Usually appears on the body, arms, or legs and is itchy.
– Can be transmitted from infected animals (cats or dogs) through fur or dander.
• Tinea capitis (Scalp ringworm)
– Causes round bald patches and dandruff-like scaling on the scalp.
– More common in children.
– Moist, peeling, or itchy skin between the toes.
– In some cases, thickened and scaly skin appears on the soles or heels.
• Tinea unguium (Nail fungus / Onychomycosis)
– Nails become white or yellowish, thickened, brittle, or crumbly.
• Tinea corporis (Ringworm)
– Circular red rash with clearer centers and raised, spreading edges — giving a “ring-like” appearance.
– Usually appears on the body, arms, or legs and is itchy.
– Can be transmitted from infected animals (cats or dogs) through fur or dander.
• Tinea capitis (Scalp ringworm)
– Causes round bald patches and dandruff-like scaling on the scalp.
– More common in children.
● Diagnosis
• Diagnosis is made by collecting a small skin or nail sample and microscopically confirming the presence of fungi.
• It is important to distinguish from similar conditions such as eczema or psoriasis.
• It is important to distinguish from similar conditions such as eczema or psoriasis.
● Treatment
• Topical antifungal medication (ointment or cream)
– Used for mild tinea pedis or tinea corporis.
– Must be applied daily and continued for several weeks after improvement to prevent recurrence.
• Oral antifungal medication
– Used for nail fungus or widespread infections.
– Treatment may take several months or longer depending on the severity.
– Used for mild tinea pedis or tinea corporis.
– Must be applied daily and continued for several weeks after improvement to prevent recurrence.
• Oral antifungal medication
– Used for nail fungus or widespread infections.
– Treatment may take several months or longer depending on the severity.
● Daily Care Advice
• Keep the affected areas clean and thoroughly dry every day.
• Avoid sharing towels, slippers, or bath mats to prevent family transmission.
• Nail fungus rarely heals on its own — untreated cases can spread infection to family members, so early treatment is recommended.
• Avoid sharing towels, slippers, or bath mats to prevent family transmission.
• Nail fungus rarely heals on its own — untreated cases can spread infection to family members, so early treatment is recommended.