teigne

Teigne, known in medical terms as tinea, is a common fungal infection of the skin, hair, and nails caused by dermatophyte fungi such as Trichophyton, Microsporum, and Epidermophyton. The term teigne is French for tinea; the condition is not caused by a worm.

The infection is contagious and typically spreads through direct skin-to-skin contact or via contaminated objects, clothing, towels, or surfaces. Animals can carry dermatophytes and transmit infection to humans. Warm, humid conditions and shared facilities increase the risk, and children are frequently affected.

Several forms are distinguished by location. Teigne corporis refers to the body, teigne capitis to the scalp, teigne pedis to the feet (athlete’s foot), and teigne cruris to the groin. Onychomycosis describes nail involvement. Symptoms usually include ring-shaped or oval patches with a scaly, raised border and central clearing, sometimes accompanied by itching. Scalp involvement can cause patchy hair loss; nail infection leads to thickened, discolored nails.

Diagnosis is typically clinical but can be confirmed by microscopic examination of skin scrapings with potassium hydroxide (KOH), fungal culture, or, in some cases, Wood’s lamp examination.

Treatment depends on extent and location. For limited skin disease, topical antifungals such as terbinafine or azoles are common. More extensive, recurrent, or scalp and nail infections often require systemic antifungals (eg, oral terbinafine, itraconazole). Hygiene measures and treating close contacts and pets help prevent recurrence and spread.

Prognosis is generally favorable with appropriate therapy, though relapses can occur if preventive measures are not maintained.