What is the medical term and treatment for tinea faciei (ringworm of the face)?

From the Guidelines

Tinea faciei is the medical term for ringworm of the face, and treatment typically involves topical antifungal medications, with oral agents like itraconazole or terbinafine being effective for more severe cases. The infection is caused by dermatophytes, and treatment should be guided by the severity of the infection and the patient's overall health. Some key points to consider in the treatment of Tinea faciei include:

• Avoiding skin-to-skin contact with people known to have lesions, not sharing towels and other fomites, and limiting exposure to swimming pools that have recently been associated with known outbreaks 1
• Using oral agents like itraconazole, which has been shown to be effective in the treatment of T corporis, with a mycological cure rate of 87% when given for 15 days 1
• Considering terbinafine as a treatment option, as it appears superior for T tonsurans 1
• Maintaining good hygiene and completing the full course of medication even if symptoms improve quickly
• Being aware that the infection can spread through direct contact with infected humans, animals, or contaminated objects Symptoms of Tinea faciei typically improve within a week of starting treatment, but complete resolution requires the full treatment course to prevent recurrence. In terms of specific treatment options, topical antifungal medications such as clotrimazole 1% (Lotrimin), miconazole 2% (Micatin), or terbinafine 1% (Lamisil) can be applied twice daily for 2-4 weeks. For more severe or resistant cases, oral antifungal medications like itraconazole (100mg once daily for 15 days) or terbinafine (250mg daily for 2-4 weeks) may be necessary.

From the FDA Drug Label

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Accurate diagnosis of the infecting organism is essential.

Representative treatment periods are ...; tinea faciei (not explicitly mentioned but can be considered similar to tinea corporis), 2 to 4 weeks;

Adults: 0. 5 g daily (125 mg four times a day, 250 mg twice a day, or 500 mg/day).

Pediatric patients (older than 2 years): A dosage of 10 mg/kg daily is usually adequate

The medical term for ringworm of the face is tinea faciei. The treatment for tinea faciei is griseofulvin (PO), with a dosage of 0.5 g daily for adults and 10 mg/kg daily for pediatric patients older than 2 years 2. Key points:

• Accurate diagnosis of the infecting organism is essential
• Treatment should be continued until the infecting organism is completely eradicated
• Concomitant use of appropriate topical agents may be required
• The dosage should be individualized for each patient 2

From the Research

Medical Term for Ringworm of the Face

• The medical term for ringworm of the face is tinea faciei 3.

Treatment for Ringworm of the Face

• The treatment for tinea faciei includes oral antifungal drugs such as fluconazole, griseofulvin, itraconazole, and terbinafine 3, 4.
• Itraconazole has been shown to be the most effective drug in the treatment of tinea faciei, followed by fluconazole, terbinafine, and then griseofulvin 3.
• The dosage and duration of treatment may vary depending on the severity of the infection and the patient's response to treatment 5, 4.
• Adjuvant topical therapy with antifungal shampoos such as 2% ketoconazole and 1% selenium sulfide may also be recommended to decrease the viability of fungal spores and prevent infection or eliminate the carrier state 6, 7.

Efficacy of Treatment

• The efficacy of treatment for tinea faciei has been shown to be limited, with cure rates ranging from 14% to 66% at 8 weeks 3.
• The number needed to treat (vs. griseofulvin) has been calculated to be 4 for fluconazole, 2 for itraconazole, and 8 for terbinafine 3.
• Relapse rates after 4 and 8 weeks of cure with the four treatments have been shown to be not significantly different 3.