According to Calderone and Clancy (2012), Tinea Corporis, commonly known as ringworm, is a fungal skin infection caused by a mold like fungi known as dermatophyte. The disorder affects all age groups. Tinea Corporis is a communicable disorder contracted through sharing of clothes, personal effects and body contact.
Army (2012) maintains that the disease can affect healthy persons of all age groups, and might appear on any region of the body. The fungus grows faster on warm and moist skin surface.
The symptoms of Tinea include; raised red pimples or bumps, burning sensation, itchiness, round ring-shaped rash with healthy looking skin at the center, scaly and raised borders of the rashes, and may appear as globular, flat, red dry skin.
There are different types of Tinea depending on the location of the infection. These include Tinea Barbae that occurs in adult males, and manifest on the face and the neck regions. The affected areas form rough crusts with fluid filled pustules. Tinea Capitis affects the scalp resulting in excessive scaling that consequently results in hair loss, yellow crusts and inflammation (Army, 2012).
Tinea Cruris occurs on the groin and the perineum regions of the body. Its symptoms include inflammation and itchiness of the affected area. On the other hand, Tinea Corporis infects all parts of the body except the groin, beard and scalp regions while Tinea Unguium affects both the toe and finger nails. Lastly, Tinea Pedis or athletes foot occurs on the feet due to increase in sweating and exposure of the feet to moist environment (Hamilton, 2012).
Diagnosis of Tinea is through direct observation of the general skin condition. Other methods of diagnosis include the application of skin lesion biopsy and observation of the skin scrapping using potassium hydroxide under a microscope.
Candidiasis, on the other hand, is a wide range of infections brought about by yeast-like fungus, known as candida.The disorder exists in varied species such as, Candida albicans, C. tropicalis, C.crusei among others.
Candidiasis is commensal and affects the gastrointestinal tract and the vagina. The bacteria found in the gastrointestinal tract and the vagina checks and controls, the growth of the fungi. Colonization may result under given instances (Army, 2012).
The known types of candidiasis include; Oral thrush that occurs as a result of Candida Albicans, Oesophagitis, Candida Vaginitis that occurs due to contamination with yeast from the rectum, Balanitis that occurs under the foreskin and the glans of the penis, and Systematic Candidiasis that occurs in persons with compromised immune systems such as diabetics, cancer and HIV patients (Calderone & Clancy, 2012).
Candidiasis is not contagious. This is because the disease causing yeast is present in all individuals. The disorder becomes severe due to increased chances of colonization by the fungi.
Hamilton (2012) notes that, while Tinea Corporis infection occurs through body contact and sharing of personal items with the infected persons, Candidiasis occurs as a result of excessive use of antibiotics, steroids, and diabetes and cancer medications. Another notable difference between Tinea and Candidiasis is that, Tinea affects only the superficial layer of the skin while Candidiasis affects both the external layer of the skin and internal organs such as the spleen and the blood stream.
Traetment of Tinea and Candidiasis entails direct application of ointments and lotions with antifungal medications on the affected area. Both resistant and extensive Tinea and Candidiasis requires the administration of oral antifungal pills (Army, 2012).
References
Army, U. S. (2012). 68W Advanced Field Craft: Combat Medic Skills. Burlington, Massachusettes: Jones & Bartlett Publishers.
Calderone, R. A., & Clancy, C. J. (2012). Candida and Candidiasis. Herndon, Virginia: ASM Press.
Hamilton, R. J. (2012). Tarascon Pharmacopoeia 2013 Professional Desk Reference Edition. Burlington, Massachusetts: Jones & Bartlett Publisher.