A Clinical Characteristics of Tinea Faciei and Its Mycological Findings

Kim, Woo Jin; Shin, Dong Hoon; Choi, Jong Soo; Kim, Ki Hong

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Tinea faciei (TF) is a dermatophytosis of the non-beard areas of the face. Its clinical features may be similar to that of contact dermatitis, discoid lupus erythematosus, polymorphous light eruption or seborrheic dermatitis. A differential diagnosis should be considered for these. It is important to find hyphae through potassium hydroxide (KOH) preparation. OBJECTIVE: The purpose was to evaluate clinical characteristics and mycological findings of TF. METHODS: Clinical charts of 93 patients with TF were reviewed. KOH preparation (+) and/or culture (+) from the skin lesions confirmed the diagnosis of TF. RESULT & CONCLUSIONS: Patients with TF were most prevalent under 10 years old, and relatively even in 20s to 50s. Overall male to female ratio was 1.07: 1, but differed in each age groups; male was predominant in age groups of 20s, 40s and 50s, while female in age groups of 30s and over 60. Most (74.3%) of the lesion was single and the cheek (32%) was the most frequently involved site, followed by the nose, periorbital area, chin, ear, forehead and perioral area in decreasing order. 29 patients (31.2%) had coexistent dermatophytosis in other areas of the body; tinea pedis et unguium (17.2%), tinea corporis (8.6%), tinea capitis (5.4%). 38 patients (86.4%) were treated for contact dermatitis and eczema by primary care physician before the diagnosis of TF. KOH preparation from the lesions showed positive for 95.7% of the patients. 46 strains (49.5%) were identified from the 93 patients. They were Trichophyton (T.) rubrum (65.2%), T. mentagrophytes (26.1%), Microsporum canis (6.5%) and T. verrucosum (2.2%). All of these findings suggest that localized erythematous facial lesions and if there is no response to treatment of dermatitis, examination for fungus should be considered.