TINEA OR RING WORM INFECTION AND HOMEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT

                                                        TINEA (RING WORM INFECTION)

                Tinea, commonly known as ring worm infection is a common skin disease. It is caused by various types of tinea, belonging to the class dermatophytes. Besides skin, the hair and nails may be affected. Clinically, tinea occurs in a number of different forms which are named as per the site of their primary involvement. The lesions are inflammatory in nature.

TYPES:-

1.       TINEA CIRCINATA OR TINEA CORPORIS:-

-          It is ring worm infection of the body.

-          The lesions are in the form of circular or oval rings (hence the name tinea circinata) with raised margins.

-          The rings spreads at the periphery while the lesion remains inactivate at the centre.

-          The patch is dusky red in colour and its surface is rough. The margins are scaly containing minute papules or vesicles.

-          The lesions are multiple, asymmetrically distributed mostly over the exposed part of the body. The commonest sites are the face, neck, hands and the back.

-          There is intense itching is present.

-          On microscopic examination, of the scrapings obtained from the margins, the causative fungus can be identified.

2.       TINEA CRURIS:-

-          Its ring worm infection of the groin.

-          Tinea cruris affects the groins and the upper and inner parts of the thighs. Later, it may spread to involve the buttocks or the lower parts of the abdomen.

-          During the acute stage, there are red, raised, maculopapular patches that spread peripherally and fuse to form bigger patches.

-          The disease flares up during hot and humid months and cause intense itching on the affected sites, particularly the groins.

-          The disease is more common in males.

-          Hot and humid climate, obesity, local frictions and moisture are the predisposing factors.

-          In the long run, tinea cruris turns into a chronic, lingering condition with eczematous thickening and increased pigmentation.

-          The surface over the affected part of the skin is rough and scaly.

-          Secondary bacterial infection may occur producing superadded impetigo or pyoderma.

3.       TINEA CAPITIS:-

-          Its ring worm infection of the scalp.

-          It occurs in 2 forms.

A. non- inflammatory or grey patch tinea capitis (black dot tinea).

B. inflammatory or granulomatous tinea capitis (verious).-

-     Children’s or adolescents are mostly affected.

-     The non- inflammatory type occurs in the form of round or oval grayish patches over the scalp, covered with fine grayish white scales. The overlying skin is rough and scaly.

 -   The causative fungus penetrates and gets inside the hair shaft. Consequently, hairs over the affected part turn brittle, lustureless and break off easily leaving behind tiny, little stumps (so called fracture hairs).

-   Patches of alopecia are present over the affected areas. The infected hair may be show bright green colour fluorescence.

4.       TENIA PEDIS:-

-          It’s called as athlete’s foot.

-          Ring worm infection of the feet is a common condition in this country especially during hot and humid months.

-          Housewives, maids, washer men and agricultural labourers are mostly affected.

-          The causative organism in most cases is e. floccosum.

-          The infection is usually acquired while walking bare footed over wet floors, working bare footed in water logged fields or wearing wet shoes.

-          The skin between the toes (most commonly the cleft between the fourth and the fifth toes) is thick, white, sodden and macerated.

-          Cracks and fissures are likely to develop later.

-          Occasionally, tinea pedis may present as an unusual thickening of the soles and the palms.

5.       TINEA UNGUIUM (ONYCHOMYCOSIS):-

-          Tinea unguium is a chronic fungal infection of the nails.

-          The toe nails are usually affected, particularly the big toes.

-          The causative organism is usually Tinea rubrum.

-          The affected nails are thickened and rendered brittle, rough and opaque.

-          The skin folds around the nail plate are somewhat thickened and horny.

-          In a long standing case, the nails are deformed and worn out presenting a typical moth-eaten appearance.

-          Onychomycosis needs to be diffentiated from candida infection of the nails and psoriasis.

TREATMENT:-

-          During the acute stage, potassium permanganate solution (1; 8000) or diluted burrow’s solution should be applied locally.

-          In chronic case, ointment anti fungal can be useful.

-          Avoid fish, bare foot walking, brinjal and oily foods.

-          Maintain neatness and neat and clean.

HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENT:-

1.       CALCAREA CARB.

2.       BROMIUM.

3.       DUL CAMARA.

4.       HEPAR SULPH.

5.       KALI CARB.

6.       LYCOPODIUM.

7.       MEZERIUM.

8.       SEPIA.

9.       SILICEA.

10.   VIOLA TRICOLOR.

11.   ARSENIC ALBUM.

12.   AILANTHUS.

13.   CARBO VEG.

14.   GRANATUM.

15.   GRAPHITIS.

16.   NATRUM CARB.

17.   PLATINA.

18.   PULSATILLA.

19.   SABADILLA.

20.   STANNUM MET.