A Wood's lamp is a diagnostic tool that produces ultraviolet light. When shone on certain skin lesions, such as those caused by ringworm, the light causes the affected area to fluoresce, assisting in clinical diagnosis.

Wood's Lamp

Tineas, or ringworm, typically manifest as itchy, red, circular skin lesions with a raised red edge.

Signs and Symptoms of Tineas

Ringworm is highly contagious and can be transmitted directly from person to person through touch. It can also be transferred indirectly via contaminated objects, making public swimming pools, locker rooms, and contact sports such as wrestling common sources of infection.

Transmission of Ringworm

Dermatophytes are a group of pathogenic, keratin-requiring ascomycetes from the genera *Trichophyton*, *Microsporum*, and *Epidermophyton*. They are capable of causing cutaneous mycoses, including skin infections such as athlete's foot, jock itch, and ringworm.

Dermatophytes

To diagnose tineas (ringworm), a skin scraping is first examined under a microscope to confirm a fungal infection. If initial treatment fails, culturing the fungus on a growth medium is required for positive identification of the specific fungal species.

Diagnosis of Tineas

Tineas, commonly referred to as ringworm, are cutaneous fungal infections that often produce radially spreading lesions that heal in the center. Despite the common name, ringworm is not caused by an actual worm.

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University of Southern Mississippi

Fungal Infections of the Skin and eyes (Mycoses)

https://openstax.org/details/books/microbiology/

Microbiology covers the scope and sequence requirements for a single-semester microbiology course for non-majors. The book presents the core concepts of microbiology with a focus on applications for careers in allied health. The pedagogical features of the text make the material interesting and accessible while maintaining the career-application focus and scientific rigor inherent in the subject matter. Microbiology’s art program enhances students’ understanding of concepts through clear and effective illustrations, diagrams, and photographs.

Microbiology is produced through a collaborative publishing agreement between OpenStax and the American Society for Microbiology Press. The book aligns with the curriculum guidelines of the American Society for Microbiology.

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Tineas

This a genus consisting of molds of many different species, some of which cause a condition called aspergillosis.

Aspergillosis (cutaneous)

Candidiasis are sometimes responsible for intertrigo, a general term for a rash that occurs in a skin fold, or other localized rashes on the skin, yeast infection, and thrush. Candida can also infect the nails, causing them to become yellow and harden.

Candidiasis

This is a subcutaneous mycoses which can spread from the skin to deeper tissues. In temperate regions this is the most common subcutaneous mycosis.

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