Tinea Corporis in the Elderly Adult

Fungal infections are common part of aging and are often associated with malnutrition and metabolic disease. If you are caring for an aging parent who has complications associated with tinea corporis, it is important to become familiar with the health condition and what steps you can take to not only remedy the complication but also prevent future fungal infection outbreaks.

Tinea corporis is the medical term used to describe the fungal infection that is chronic and progressive in nature. Unlike other fungal infections, including tinea versicolor, the development of tinea corporis is not associated with overgrowth of yeast. Instead, this infection manifests along the skin, in response to direct contact with fungi, and ring-like patches begin to develop - often spreading rather quickly.

In older adults, who typically have compromised immune systems, the risk for mismanagement of fungal infection is quite common. When not managed effectively, fungal infections along the skin can be progressive, painful, and even lead to changes in the look and texture of the skin. With tinea corporis, the key to overcoming this complication lies in early detection and very aggressive treatment.

Consultation with a dermatologist is necessary for elderly adults who have tinea corporis. Topical fungal treatments are typically recommended to the areas of the skin that are directly affected - usually in the groin and on the feet. In addition to topical application of anti-fungal creams, the dermatologist may also recommend the use of oral anti-fungal medications to assist in fighting any immune complications that may be present. In addition, herbal remedies, including vitiligo herbal treatment, may be recommended as it will help in restoring pigment and improving the look and feel of the skin affected.

Cleaning the home in which the elderly adult lives, in addition to aggressive and thorough cleaning of clothes and bed sheets, is also important to the adult who has tinea corporis. By doing all of these simple home remedies, many adults with tinea corporis can overcome the fungal complication and restore their health to a degree of normalcy. The key to successful treatment, however, will lie in the aggressive nature of care.

Sources: Immunology of Fungal Infections, by Gordon Brown