Tinea Barbae

Dermatophytes are fungi that invade keratinized tissues such as skin, hair, and nails. Dermatophytosis is an infection caused by dermatophytes; these infections are commonly referred to as "tinea" infections. Dermatophytes are keratinophiles that need keratin to grow; they do not infect mucosal surfaces. Dermatophyte infections can affect any superficial keratinized surface from the scalp to the toes. Tinea infections are classified according to the affected body site. Tinea barbae predominantly affects men due to its involvement in the bearded regions of the face and neck. Tinea faciei is a condition in which the same areas affect healthy women and infants. Tinea barbae may be almost exclusively observed in older adolescents and men, as hair begins to appear on the face during adolescence. Tinea barbae is a rare dermatophyte infection affecting the beard and mustache's skin, hair, and hair follicles. In 1842, Gruby first described tinea barbae as a fungal infection of the beard area, where the fungal elements formed a continuous sheath around the hair. Gruby named the fungus "mentagrophyte," which means "plant of the chin." Tinea barbae is also known as tinea sycosis, as one of the clinical manifestations is inflammation of the hair follicles. In the past, people commonly attributed the transmission of tinea barbae to the unsanitary razors used by barbers. Hence, it was commonly called barber's itch and beard ringworm.