Current RMA Instruments

Changes from previous Instruments

SOP Bulletin 179

ICD Coding

ICD-10-AM Codes: B35.0, B35.2, B35.3, B35.4, B35.5, B35.6, B35.8, B35.9

Brief description

This is a specific type of fungal infection of the skin, hair or nails by dermatophytes of the species Epidermophyton, Trichophyton or Microsporum.

Confirming the diagnosis

The diagnosis is generally made on clinical grounds (symptoms and signs).  Microscopy of skin scrapings or fungal culture may be undertaken.  The site of the tinea needs to be known to apply a number of the SOP factors.  The diagnosis can be made by a general practitioner. 

The relevant medical specialist is a dermatologist.

Additional diagnoses covered by these SOPs

• Tinea capitis [head]
• Tinea barbae [beard]
• Tinea corporis [body] - includes face (Tinea faciei*), neck, trunk, limb, hand (Tinea manuum*) and groin (Tinea cruris*) 
• Tinea pedis [feet]
• Tinea unguium or Onychomycosis [nails]

* These labels are not used in the SOP, but the conditions are covered by the SOP definition for Tinea corporis

Conditions excluded from these SOPs

• Tinea (Pityriasis) versicolour^#
• Candidiasis of the skin^#
• Seborrhoeic dermatitis* of the scalp

* another SOP applies  - the SOP has the same name unless otherwise specified

^# non-SOP condition

Clinical onset

Clinical features depend on the site, but mostly involve a localised, itchy, scaly, slowly spreading rash.   Once the diagnosis has been confirmed, the clinical onset can be based on the time of first manfestion of the relevant rash (or nail changes).

Clinical worsening

The condition is generally responsive to topical drug therapy or oral drug therapy in more severe cases.  Recurrence is common.  Spread to another body site may also occur.