Tinea Faciei 

  • Author: Jacek C Szepietowski, MD, PhD; Chief Editor: Dirk M Elston, MD   more...
 
Updated: Jan 25, 2012
 

Background

Tinea faciei is a superficial dermatophyte infection limited to the glabrous skin of the face.[1] In pediatric and female patients, the infection may appear on any surface of the face, including the upper lip and chin. In men, the condition is known as tinea barbae when a dermatophyte infection of bearded areas occurs.

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Pathophysiology

Keratinophilic fungi, or dermatophytes, are responsible tinea faciei. Dermatophytes release several enzymes, including keratinases, which allow them to invade the stratum corneum of the epidermis. Infection caused by zoophilic dermatophytes is usually associated with inflammatory reactions that are more severe than those due to anthropophilic fungi.

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Epidemiology

Frequency

International

Tinea faciei is not an uncommon disease. It occurs worldwide. However, as with other cutaneous fungal infections, it is more common in tropical regions with high temperatures and humidity.[2, 3, 4, 5] Tinea faciei was shown to represent approximately 19% of all superficial fungal infections in the pediatric population with dermatomycoses.[6]

Mortality/Morbidity

Scarring may occur in patients with Trichophyton schoenleinii infection; this is extremely rare.

Sex

Some authors suggest that females may be affected more frequently than males, but the difference is probably semantic. In females, dermatophyte infection of the face is more likely to be diagnosed as tinea faciei, whereas many infections that occur in similar locations in men are diagnosed as tinea barbae. Data indicate a female-to-male ratio of 1.06:1.[7]

Age

Tinea faciei may appear in persons of any age, with 2 peaks of disease incidence. One peak involves children, who constitute a large group of patients because of their frequent direct contact with pets. Tinea faciei is commonly noted as a dermatosis that occurs after holidays; it is diagnosed more frequently in children after they spend their holidays in rural areas, where they may come into contact with animals when they play. Several cases are also reported in neonates[8, 9, 10] ; these patients may acquire the infection from siblings or contact with pets. The other peak occurs in those aged 20-40 years.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Jacek C Szepietowski, MD, PhD  Professor, Vice-Head, Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Wroclaw Medical University; Director of the Institute of Immunology and Experimental Therapy, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland

Disclosure: Stiefel GSK Company Salary Employment; Orfagen Consulting fee Consulting; Maruho Consulting fee Consulting; Astellas Consulting fee Consulting; Abbott Consulting fee Consulting; Leo Pharma Consulting fee Consulting

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

Bernice R Krafchik, MBChB, FRCPC  Professor Emeritus, Department of Pediatrics, Section of Dermatology, University of Toronto

Bernice R Krafchik, MBChB, FRCPC is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology, American Dermatological Association, Canadian Medical Association, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, and Society for Pediatric Dermatology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

David F Butler, MD  Professor of Dermatology, Texas A&M University College of Medicine; Chair, Department of Dermatology, Director, Dermatology Residency Training Program, Scott and White Clinic, Northside Clinic

David F Butler, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Dermatology, American Medical Association, American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, American Society for MOHS Surgery, Association of Military Dermatologists, and Phi Beta Kappa

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Van Perry, MD  Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Dermatology, University of Texas School of Medicine at San Antonio

Van Perry, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Dermatology and American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery

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.

References

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  2. Atzori L, Aste N, Aste N, Pau M. Tinea Faciei Due to Microsporum canis in Children: A Survey of 46 Cases in the District of Cagliari (Italy). Pediatr Dermatol. Oct 20 2011;[Medline].

  3. Del Boz J, Crespo V, de Troya M. Pediatric Tinea Faciei in Southern Spain: A 30-Year Survey. Pediatr Dermatol. Oct 13 2011;[Medline].

  4. Ansar A, Farshchian M, Nazeri H, Ghiasian SA. Clinico-epidemiological and mycological aspects of tinea incognito in Iran: A 16-year study. Med Mycol J. 2011;52(1):25-32. [Medline].

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  7. Romano C, Ghilardi A, Massai L. Eighty-four consecutive cases of tinea faciei in Siena, a retrospective study (1989-2003). Mycoses. Sep 2005;48(5):343-6. [Medline].

  8. Bardazzi F, Raone B, Neri I, Patrizi A. Tinea faciei in a newborn: a new case. Pediatr Dermatol. Nov-Dec 2000;17(6):494-5. [Medline].

  9. Cohen-Abbo A. Newborn with vesicular rash. Tinea corporis (tinea faciei). Pediatr Infect Dis J. Jul 2000;19(7):661, 676-7. [Medline].

  10. Szepietowski J. Dermatomycoses in newborns. Mikol Lek. 1997;4:41-5.

  11. Meymandi S, Wiseman MC, Crawford RI. Tinea faciei mimicking cutaneous lupus erythematosus: a histopathologic case report. J Am Acad Dermatol. Feb 2003;48(2 Suppl):S7-8. [Medline].

  12. Singh R, Bharu K, Ghazali W, Bharu K, Nor M, Kerian K. Tinea faciei mimicking lupus erythematosus. Cutis. Jun 1994;53(6):297-8. [Medline].

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  14. Nenoff P, Mugge C, Hermann J, Keller U. Tinea faciei incognito due to Trichophyton rubrum as a result of autoinoculation from onychomycosis. Mycoses. 50, suppl.2;2007:20-25.

  15. Pustisek N, Skerlev M, Basta-Juzbasic A, Lipozencic J, Marinovic B, Bukvic-Mokos Z. Tinea incognito caused by trichophyton mentagrophytes -- a case report. Acta Dermatovenerol Croat. Dec 2001;9(4):283-6. [Medline].

  16. Dekio S, Imaoka C, Jidoi J. Corticosteroid-modified tinea faciei simulating rosacea. J Dermatol. Oct 1987;14(5):509-11. [Medline].

  17. Wilmer A, Wollina U. Oral terbinafine in the treatment of griseofulvin-resistant Tinea capitis et faciei et corporis in a 10-month-old girl. Acta Derm Venereol. Jul 1998;78(4):314. [Medline].

  18. Alteras I, Sandbank M, David M, Segal R. 15-year survey of tinea faciei in the adult. Dermatologica. 1988;177(2):65-9. [Medline].

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  22. [Guideline] Drake LA, Dinehart SM, Farmer ER, et al. Guidelines of care for superficial mycotic infections of the skin: tinea corporis, tinea cruris, tinea faciei, tinea manuum, and tinea pedis. Guidelines/Outcomes Committee. American Academy of Dermatology. J Am Acad Dermatol. Feb 1996;34(2 Pt 1):282-6. [Medline].

  23. Filice C, Chamlin SL. A 7-year-old girl with a pruritic facial eruption. Tinea faciei. Pediatr Ann. 2008;37:726-728.

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  25. Khaled A, Chtourou O, Zeglaoui F, Fazaa B, Jones M, Kamoun MR. Tinea faciei: a report on four cases. Acta Dermatovenereol Alp Panonoca Adriat. 2007;16:170-173.

  26. Lee SJ, Choi HJ, Hann SK. Rosacea-like tinea faciei. Int J Dermatol. Jun 1999;38(6):479-80. [Medline].

  27. Ohta Y, Saitoh N, Tanuma H, Fujimura T, Katsuoka K. Local cytokine expression in steroid-modified tinea faciei. J Dermatol. Jun 1998;25(6):362-6. [Medline].

 
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Multiple lesions on the face caused by Microsporum canis infection in a patient who also has tinea capitis.
Erythematous scaling lesion on the cheek.
 
 
 
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