Tinea Cruris 

  • Author: Michael Wiederkehr, MD; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jan 24, 2012
 

Background

Tinea cruris, a pruritic superficial fungal infection of the groin and adjacent skin, is the second most common clinical presentation for dermatophytosis. Tinea cruris is a common and important clinical problem that may, at times, be a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge.

Oother eMedicine articles on tinea infections include Tinea Barbae, Tinea Capitis, Tinea Corporis, Tinea Faciei, Tinea Nigra, Tinea Pedis, and Tinea Versicolor.

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Pathophysiology

The most common etiologic agents for tinea cruris include Trichophyton rubrum and Epidermophyton floccosum; less commonly Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Trichophyton verrucosum are involved. Tinea cruris is a contagious infection transmitted by fomites, such as contaminated towels or hotel bedroom sheets, or by autoinoculation from a reservoir on the hands or feet (tinea manuum, tinea pedis, tinea unguium). The etiologic agents in tinea cruris produce keratinases, which allow invasion of the cornified cell layer of the epidermis. The host immune response may prevent deeper invasion. Risk factors for initial tinea cruris infection or reinfection include wearing tight-fitting or wet clothing or undergarments.

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Epidemiology

Frequency

United States

Dermatophytosis accounts for approximately 10-20% of all visits to dermatologists.[1]

International

Tinea cruris has a worldwide distribution but is found more commonly in hot humid climates.[2, 3]

Mortality/Morbidity

No mortality is associated with tinea cruris. Associated pruritus leads to morbidity resulting from lichenification, secondary bacterial infection, and irritant and allergic contact dermatitis caused by topically applied medications.

Sex

Tinea cruris is 3 times more common in men than in women.

Age

Adults are affected by tinea cruris much more commonly than are children. However, the prevalence of several risk factors for tinea cruris, such as obesity and diabetes mellitus, is rapidly increasing among adolescents.[4]

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Michael Wiederkehr, MD  Consulting Staff, Livingston Dermatology Associates; Consulting Staff, Comprehensive Dermatology and Laser Center

Michael Wiederkehr, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha and American Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH  Professor and Head, Dermatology, Professor of Pathology, Pediatrics, Medicine, and Preventive Medicine and Community Health, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Medical School

Robert A Schwartz, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American College of Physicians, and Sigma Xi

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Gregory J Raugi, MD, PhD  Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Dermatology, University of Washington at Seattle School of Medicine; Chief, Dermatology Section, Primary and Specialty Care Service, Veterans Administration Medical Center of Seattle

Gregory J Raugi, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Richard P Vinson, MD  Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Paul L Foster School of Medicine; Consulting Staff, Mountain View Dermatology, PA

Richard P Vinson, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, Association of Military Dermatologists, Texas Dermatological Society, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Lester F Libow, MD  Dermatopathologist, South Texas Dermatopathology Laboratory

Lester F Libow, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Society of Dermatopathology, and Texas Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Glen H Crawford, MD  Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Dermatology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine; Chief, Division of Dermatology, The Pennsylvania Hospital

Glen H Crawford, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, Phi Beta Kappa, and Society of USAF Flight Surgeons

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Dirk M Elston, MD  Director, Ackerman Academy of Dermatopathology, New York

Dirk M Elston, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

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Tinea cruris.
Tinea cruris.
Tinea cruris.
Tinea cruris (hematoxylin and eosin stain).
Tinea cruris (periodic acid-Schiff stain, magnification X 20).
Tinea cruris (Gomori methenamine-silver stain, magnification X 20).
 
 
 
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