Tinea - Fungal Infection

What is Tinea?

Tinea is another form of skin disease caused by fungal infection .what the fungus does is that it messes up with the normal tanning process of the body and as a result some regions in the body are darker than the other which results in the formation of white patches all around the body. These patches are more apparent in the summer months when the difference in the skin color is more apparent. The infection, is normally prevalent in warm, humid temperatures, usually affects the back, chest, neck or upper arms and can cause very mild pain and irritation.

Causes: You will be surprised to know that all individuals have this fungus. So when does it becomes a problem? The answer is that once it overgrows from its normal size than it becomes a problem. This phenomenon might be triggered by a variety of factors.
1. Very hot and humid whether condition
2. Excessive sweating 
3. Oily skin
4. Changes in hormones due to several factors
5. Immunosuppressant (it’s a condition when the immune system just becomes unable to protect your body from bacteria, fungi or other kinds of viral attack).

Screening and Diagnosis: this kind of skin disease is so very self evident that it does not require much of a test. Also one of the most fool proof solution is using laboratory analysis. Take the sample of the scaly layers from the infected region and put it into a solution of potassium hydroxide solutions. Now heat the solution gently so that the skin gets melted but the fungus cells don’t. If it is actually infected by fungal infection you can actually see the fungal cells using a microscope.

Treatment for Tinea: Treatment of Tinea is a very relative process and all depends on the severity of the problem. If the problem is mild enough than over the counter drugs are good enough to take care of your problem. But however if the problem is severe you need a prescription drugs or oral medication. These include

Topical
Selenium sulfide (Selsun, Exsel) 2.5 percent lotion 
Ciclopirox (Loprox) cream, gel or lotion 
Ketoconazole (Nizoral) cream or shampoo 

Oral
Ketoconazole (Nizoral) tablets 
Itraconazole (Sporanox) capsules

Wash and dry the affected area. Then, apply a thin layer of the topical agent once or twice every day until the time the whitening of your skin diminishes.