Tinea Types: Common Dermatophyte Infections Case 9 Tinea Faciei

An eruption on the face of a 49-year-old woman had been misdiagnosed as astaphylococcal infection; the rash failed to respond to oral and topical antibiotics.A mid-potency topical corticosteroid also had been tried, but the eruptionworsened.A well-demarcated, annular, erythematous plaque with a raised borderwas noted. A potassium hydroxide preparation of a scraping from the borderof the lesion confirmed the clinical impression of tinea faciei. The patient'snew kitten was the suspected source of the dermatophyte.A 2-week course of oral terbinafine, 250 mg/d, and twice-daily applicationof econazole cream were prescribed. The infection resolved within 3 weeks.The kitten was evaluated and treated by a veterinarian for a fungal infection.Pets are a common source of dermatophytes; treating their infection reducesthe likelihood of reinfection.