Sycosiform tinea barbae caused by Trichophyton rubrum

• Published in: Dermatology online journal Vol. 14; no. 11; p. 10
• Main Authors: Xavier, Marcus Henrique, Torturella, Daniel M, Rehfeldt, Fernanda Valente, Alvariño, Cristina Rodrigues, Gaspar, Neide Neide, Rochael, Mayra C, Cunha, Flávia de Souza
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 15-11-2008
• Subjects: Aged; Antifungal Agents - therapeutic use; Diagnostic Errors; Facial Dermatoses - diagnosis; Facial Dermatoses - drug therapy; Facial Dermatoses - microbiology; Facial Injuries - complications; Facial Injuries - microbiology; Folliculitis - diagnosis; Griseofulvin - therapeutic use; Humans; Male; Tinea - diagnosis; Tinea - drug therapy; Tinea - microbiology; Trichophyton - isolation & purification; Wound Infection - microbiology
• ISSN: 1087-2108

Tinea barbae is an uncommon superficial dermatophyte infection of the beard and moustache areas. It was more frequently observed in the past, before single-use razors became available. In most cases, the zoophilic ectothrix Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Trichophyton verrucosum are responsible for this type of infection. Its clinical presentation is variable; it can mimic many other skin disorders such as sycosis, iododerma, contact dermatitis, perioral dermatitis, and actinomycosis. We report a case of tinea barbae caused by an uncommon agent Trichophyton rubrum, misdiagnosed as sycosis, and review the approach and management of the disease.