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Tinea faciei is a fungal infection that causes itchy, scaly, raised patches on the face or scalp. It can be spread through direct contact or sharing personal hygiene items. Treatment involves topical or oral antifungal medication.
Tinea faciei is a variety of fungal infection that affects the skin of the face or scalp. The infection is characterized by itchy, round, scaly, slightly raised patches that are pink or red in color. The same fungi that cause athlete’s foot and ringworm can cause rashes on the face, and the infection can be passed on to others through direct contact or by sharing personal hygiene items. In most cases, tinea faciei can be cured by applying a topical antifungal cream daily for about two weeks. Severe infections may require heavy-strength creams or oral medications prescribed by a dermatologist.
The fungi that cause tinea faciei are found worldwide, although people who live in tropical, humid climates are more likely to get infections. Young children and people who have weakened immune systems are at the highest risk of developing major symptoms. In many cases, a fungal infection starts elsewhere on the body, such as the toes, and is accidentally transferred to the face after scratching the infected area or using a wet towel. The fungi are contagious and can spread to other people if they share razors, towels or cosmetics with an infected person.
Tinea faciei rashes tend to develop over the course of about a week. The first signs of an infection are usually multiple raised patches covering a small area of the face. Within days, the patches develop a scaly feel and start to itch. The rash is usually much redder than the surrounding area of skin and has a well-defined border. Itching and pain are often worst when the face is exposed to direct sunlight.
It is important to visit a dermatologist whenever a rash appears suddenly and persists for several days. Your doctor can usually make a diagnosis of tinea faciei based solely on the physical appearance of the patches. In some cases, he may decide to collect a small sample of skin tissue from the infected area and have it tested in a laboratory to confirm the specific fungus involved.
If a patient’s rash is mild and doesn’t cause significant itchy symptoms, the doctor may suggest an over-the-counter topical ointment such as tolnaftate or clotrimazole. More severe cases of tinea faciei can be treated with prescription ointments. Your dermatologist might also prescribe an oral antifungal medication if symptoms persist or worsen despite about two weeks of topical treatment. When treated properly, most tinea faciei rashes disappear in less than a month without leaving any scars on the skin.
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