I. What is fungal dermatosis? Fungal skin diseases are caused by pathogenic fungal infections, which can be divided into two categories: superficial fungi and deep fungi. More than 90% of fungal diseases in China are superficial fungal diseases, where the fungus only invades the surface, the stratum corneum, the hair and the nail plate. Those that invade subcutaneous tissue and internal organs are called deep fungal diseases. Fungal skin diseases can be classified as: ringworm of the head, ringworm of the hands, ringworm of the feet, ringworm of the nails, ringworm of the body, ringworm of the femur, etc. What is tinea capitis? Tinea capitis refers to a superficial fungal infection of the scalp and hair. It can be classified as tinea capitis, tinea albicans, tinea nigra, and tinea suppurativa depending on the pathogenic fungus and clinical presentation. How to recognize tinea capitis? Tinea capitis develops in childhood and begins with redness of the skin at the root of the hair, followed by a small pustule that dries to a yellow crust. As the rash expands and the yellow scabs fuse with each other and become thick, the center is depressed with hairs passing through and the edges are slightly higher like a disc, and the yellow scabs are forcibly removed and a bright red moist vesicular surface or ulcer is underneath. Tinea alba starts as a confined white scaly patch on which the hair turns gray, and gradually expands if left untreated, with small satellite-like scaly patches appearing around it. The roots of the hair have white sheaths, and the hair often breaks off at about 0.5 cm from the scalp. Patients with tinea nigra have small scaly patches of very mild inflammation on the scalp, intermittently appearing as black dots, or sometimes as high, broken hair with white sheaths. The scalp and hair follicles of patients with impetigo may often become purulent as one or more red, swollen elevations, and a small amount of plasma or translucent pus may appear when the lesion is cut and squeezed. Localized hair is easily pulled out to form scars after healing, leaving permanent hair loss. How can ringworm be prevented and treated? The prevention and control measures for ringworm include three aspects, namely eliminating the source of infection, cutting off the transmission route and protecting the susceptible person. The most important thing is to eliminate the source of infection, i.e., to cure all people with ringworm and livestock with the disease. Ringworm invades not only the scalp but also the roots of the hair follicles, so treatment is more complicated than for other ringworm diseases. Cut off the means of transmission, and if a person with ringworm of the head is found, appropriate isolation measures should be taken. Hats, headscarves, pillowcases, and clothing used by the patient should be disinfected by sunlight and boiling water. Contaminated haircutting tools should also be thoroughly disinfected, either by boiling them or by placing them in a closed container and fumigating them with formaldehyde gas. Bacteria-bearing hairs, scales, and scabs should be destroyed by fire. To protect susceptible people, prevention of ringworm is not dependent on taking medicine, but rather on strengthening publicity and education so that children can develop good hygiene habits and checking children’s heads frequently, and if suspicious cases are found, they should be seen in a hospital in time. V. What is ringworm of the hands? Tinea capitis is a skin damage caused by a harmful fungal infection on the hands. How do I recognize ringworm? Tinea capitis starts in one part of the hand, especially on the side of the thumb or index finger, the flexural surface and the palm, and then gradually expands. Since the palm of the hand is exposed, it is rare to see interphalangeal impregnation. However, in cases caused by Candida albicans, interphalangeal vesicles can be seen. The papulosquamous type often has small blisters and durable ring-like scales. The blister type has significant itching and is prone to secondary infection if it occurs on the palm and proximal end of the fingers. The hyperkeratotic type has pronounced keratinization of the palm and fingers and often has fissures. How to prevent and treat tinea capitis? In addition to actively cooperating with medication, tinea pedis, tinea corporis and tinea nail should be treated at the same time. What is tinea pedis? Tinea pedis is a skin damage caused by a pathogenic fungus that infects the foot and is commonly known as tinea pedis. Tinea pedis is mainly caused by Trichophyton rubrum (73.59%), followed by Trichophyton flocculans (13%) and Trichophyton rubrum (11.84%), and a few other dermatophytes. How to identify tinea pedis? Tinea pedis can be divided into the following three types: keratotic desquamation type: manifests as dry desquamation of the foot and plantar area, which gradually expands, and may aggravate in winter to form chaps on the heel; it may reduce in summer. Blister type: It is mainly manifested as heaps or scattered blisters on the lateral edge of the foot with thick walls and itchy sensation, which is common in summer. It is also common and is often the first manifestation of tinea pedis, manifesting as impregnated white skin between the toes, followed by exfoliation and self-induced itching, which often leads to scratching, causing the epidermis to peel off and exposing the fresh, tender thin skin underneath. Long-term untreated interdigital erosion often leads to streptococcal infection and the formation of tinea, which is a common cause of lower extremity tinea. 10. How to prevent and treat tinea pedis? Choose the appropriate medication. After tinea pedis is cured, it is important to cut off the source of fungal infection. Disinfect used shoes and socks thoroughly, change socks regularly, and do not share towels and bath tubs with others; especially in public places, pay special attention to personal hygiene and develop good sanitary habits. XI. What is nail fungus? Tinea nail is a lesion caused by ringworm that invades the nail plate. The most common causative agent is Trichophyton rubrum. How to recognize onychomycosis? Tinea nail is often a single disease that gradually affects other fingernails and toenails; the nail is thickened, uneven, brittle, and deformed, with a grayish or yellowish color and no luster; it is often accompanied by tinea cruris. XIII. How to prevent and treat onychomycosis? Treat the associated ringworm at the same time; scrape off the diseased nail and then apply antifungal preparations topically; surgically remove the diseased nail and then apply antifungal preparations topically;. Internal systemic antifungal treatment if necessary. You should also pay attention to personal hygiene, less contact with related chemicals, less contact with people with onychomycosis, etc. What is tinea corporis? Tinea corporis, also known as ringworm or ringworm money, is caused by the bacterium Tinea capillaris, Bacillus microplus or Tinea epidermidis. The main sources of infection are ringworm of the hands, feet, nails and contaminated clothing. Ringworm is easy to develop in people who are humid, obese, sweaty, rubbing, not paying attention to hygiene, have diabetes, etc. and have low immunity. 15. How to recognize ringworm? Tinea corporis starts as a small papule that gradually expands outward and has a tendency to heal on its own in the center. It is circular or polycyclic in shape, surrounded by a ring of papules, blisters, crusts or scales that are high on the skin surface, with clear boundaries. How can ringworm be prevented and treated? Tinea corporis is mainly treated with topical medication. The area should be kept clean and dry. Tinea capitis, tinea capitis, tinea nail, tinea cruris, etc. can cause ringworm in other parts of the body, so they should be treated at the same time. Pay attention to personal hygiene to avoid reinfection. What is ringworm? Tinea cruris is a skin disease caused by fungal infection on the inner part of the femur, perineum and buttocks. How to recognize tinea cruris? Tinea cruris starts as a slightly raised red spot with clear edges, gradually enlarges and has flakes on it, and gradually changes from red to brown or skin color. The center of the lesion gradually heals on its own and progresses to the periphery, with the edges of the erythema being more clearly inflamed and may have a rash, blisters, scabs, or even erosions on it, forming a ring. After healing, it leaves temporary hyperpigmentation and severe itching symptoms. XIX. How to prevent and control ringworm? Be clean and do not have inappropriate sexual relations with others. Do not use other people’s underwear, underwear and toiletries. Change your underwear often, keep your vulva clean, and wash and dry your clothes often. Reduce sweating and promote the evaporative action of the root of the femur. Try to keep the perineum dry and wear loose fitting underwear that is not too tight. If you have gray nails, goose paws, or ringworm, you should actively treat them to prevent transmission to the pubic area via your hands. The treatment of ringworm is based on local topical medication. What is lichen planus? Tinea corporis, commonly known as sweat spot, is caused by the bacterium Stachybotrys phalloides. It is transmitted through contact with the carrier or their clothes, bedding, or mats. It is easy to get the disease in summer when the skin is sweaty and humid. How can I recognize lichen planus? Lichen planus is most common in adults and occurs on the chest, back, neck and upper arms. At first, it is a round spot the size of a soybean, grayish white, brown or yellowish, with tiny bran-like scales attached to it, and later the lesions become more and more numerous, sometimes fusing into a patch. After removing the scales, it leaves temporary hypopigmented spots. The disease process is slow and does not heal for many years, heavy in summer and light in winter, with no conscious symptoms or slight itching. How to prevent and treat lichen planus? Usually oral medication and topical medication are used in combination. At the same time, resistance should be strengthened, treatment should be thorough, and clothing should be disinfected after cure. It is easy to recur after being infected by this pathogenic bacteria, so treatment should be thorough to achieve the purpose of eradication.