Tinea A001

Current RMA Instruments

Changes from previous instruments

ICD Coding

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

Brief description

Tinea is a specific type of fungal infection of the skin, hair or nails by dermatophytes (fungi that infect keratinized tissues) of the species Epidermophyton, Trichophyton, Microsporum, Arthroderma, Ctenomyces, Lophophyton, Nannizzia, Guarromyces or Paraphyton. 

Tinea infections are named based on the part of the body they affect. 

Confirming the diagnosis

The diagnosis is generally made on clinical history and examination findings by a medical practitioner. 

Microscopy of skin scrapings or fungal culture may be undertaken. Wood's Lamp examination might also be required for some species of dermatophytes as they fluoresce under UV light. 

The relevant medical specialist would be a general practitioner or a dermatologist.

Additional diagnoses covered by these SOPs

• Tinea capitis (head)
• Tinea barbae (beard)
• Tinea corporis (body) - includes face (Tinea faciei*), neck, trunk, limb, and groin/perineal region (tinea cruris*/inguinalis)
• Tinea gladiatorum (a form of Tinea corporis) 
• Hand (tinea manuum*)
• Tinea pedis (feet)
• Tinea unguium or Onychomycosis (nails)
• Majocchi’s granuloma or granuloma trichophyticum (hair follicle, dermis and subcutaneous tissue)
• Tinea 'Id reactions' or autoeczematization/dermatophytid - an allergic rash occurring as a result of allergy to fungal antigens from a tinea at a distant site

* These labels are not specifically used in the SoP definition, but the conditions are covered under the definition of Tinea corporis

Conditions excluded from these SOPs

• Tinea (Pityriasis) versicolour #
• Candidiasis of the skin #
• Seborrhoeic dermatitis* of the scalp 
• Tinea flava #
• Tinea nigra #
• Tinea blanca #
• Tinea amiantacea #
• Fungal infection involving mucous membranes #
• Systemic fungal infection #

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

^# non-SOP condition

Clinical onset

Once the diagnosis has been confirmed, the clinical date of onset can be taken from the time of first manifestation of the relevant rash (or nail changes). Specific clinical features depend on the site, but most cases involve a localised, itchy, scaly, slowly spreading rash. 

Clinical worsening

With appropriate treatment, most tinea infections can be effectively managed and cured. The condition is generally responsive to topical antifungal medications but may also require oral antifungal medications in more severe cases.  

Reinfection and spread from one body site to another may often occur- particularly if preventative measures are not followed. 

Some examples of clinical worsening involve cases where the tinea has disseminated, become deeply invasive in the form of Majocchi’s granuloma, or has become refractory to first-line treatment. Advice from a treating dermatologist will be useful in the assessment of any cases that might involve clinical worsening.