Tinea barbae (tinea sycosis): experience with nine cases

J Dermatol. 2003 Dec;30(12):898-903. doi: 10.1111/j.1346-8138.2003.tb00345.x.

Abstract

Tinea barbae is a rare dermatophytosis that affects the hair and hair follicles of the beard and mustache. This paper presents 9 cases of tinea barbae observed over an 18-year period of time and classified as follows: 1 was superficial and 8 were deep (6 folliculitis-like and 2 kerion-like). Most of the cases (4) were associated with topical steroid therapy, others with pet contact (3 cases) and one with diabetes. The causal agents isolated were: Trichophyton rubrum in 3; Microsporum canis in 3; Trichophyton mentagrophytes in 2; and Trichophyton tonsurans in one. The involvement of the hair was observed and classified in all cases. The trichophytin skin reaction was positive in all 9 patients. All the patients were treated with systemic antimycotics, 3 cases with griseofulvin, 1 with ketoconazole, 3 with itraconazole, and 2 with terbinafine. Clinical and mycologic cures were achieved at 6 to 8 weeks of treatment at the usual doses.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Facial Dermatoses / drug therapy
  • Facial Dermatoses / epidemiology*
  • Facial Dermatoses / etiology
  • Facial Dermatoses / microbiology
  • Facial Dermatoses / pathology
  • Folliculitis / drug therapy
  • Folliculitis / epidemiology*
  • Folliculitis / etiology
  • Folliculitis / microbiology
  • Folliculitis / pathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mexico / epidemiology
  • Microsporum / isolation & purification
  • Middle Aged
  • Tinea / drug therapy
  • Tinea / epidemiology*
  • Tinea / etiology
  • Tinea / microbiology
  • Tinea / pathology
  • Trichophyton / isolation & purification

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents