Tinea Barbae

Tinea barbae is actually an infection caused by fungi and appears on face, especially in bearded areas, and neck. This type of skin disorder usually appears in males who are adult. Although a person suffering from tinea barbae feels inflammation on the affected part of the skin, however it neither pains not gives itching sensation. This complication is not contagious among humans but it can spread from animals to humans. In fact, farmers are more prone to tinea barbae as they frequently come in contact with animals.

Once, it was considered that the males who go to barber for shaving were more prone to tinea barbae. The reason was simple – barbers in the past were usually using the same razor to shave at least 4-5 men before throwing it away and thus the likeness of skin infection in those males was more. Hence, another name of tinea barbae is barber’s itch. But nowadays, the barbers always use new shaving razor for every male.

Tinea Barbae Symptoms

You may find the first symptom of tinea barbae on the chin. As the problem becomes severe, rashes and blisters may appear on the beard portion as well as on neck. Sometimes, pruritis like features can also be an indicator tinea barbae. If this skin disorder reaches in advanced stage, it may also look like lupus vulgaris, which is tuberculosis of the skin and appears first on the face and heals slowly leaving deep scars.

Tinea Barbae Causes

The fungi which develops in keratin is basically responsible for a majority of fungal infections including tinea barbae that occur on the surface of the skin. Tinea barbae causes inflammation on the skin because fungi not only infest the hair but even the follicles of hair. Similarly, there are several types of dermatophytes that cause tinea barbae such as zoophilic. The areas with soaring temperatures and high humidity level may also be the reason of fungal infection thus leading to tinea barbae.

Tinea Barbae Diagnosis

Apart from examining the visible symptoms, the doctor will take out samples from the affected areas to diagnose the complication. The doctor may prefer tests conducted under mycology to deeply examine the fungal infection.

Treatment for Tinea Barbae

In mild cases of tinea barbae, there are medicated creams and ointments to be applied on the affected areas topically. The course of treatment can take a couple of weeks. If the topical treatment causes side effects like itching, immediately consult your doctor for other alternative because you might be allergic to the ingredients used in the particular medicated cream. In case, tinea barbae becomes severe, the doctor can ask you to begin a course of oral medication including doses of antibiotics. Some people also get relief with chemical peels.

An individual may also undergo surgery to remove hair from the affected area or may prefer electrolysis for the same purpose but neither of the two methods can effectively treat tinea barbae. Instead, the problem might reappear after sometimes. In addition, electrolysis may increase pigmentation apart from causing irritation and redness. On the contrary, laser therapy could be adopted for better result as it removes follicles of hair. This method mainly aims to destroy melanin in the affected portion. But as a side effect, the laser also damages the pigments of the surrounding areas.

Prevention

If possible, avoid shaving till the problem is treated completely. But if you want to shave then do it carefully so that the blade may not cut the skin because this might exacerbate the problem.

Don’t use harsh soaps to rinse the infected portion. Instead, use soaps having bacteria fighting ingredients.

Use tepid water to wash the infected area. You can also use washcloth dampened in lukewarm water to clean the area.