Tinea is caused by a fungus that grows on the skin. It is also known as “Ringworm”. This skin infection is caused by fungi called Dermatophytes. Once the fungus is established, it spreads out in rings. The centre of the ring may look clear while a new ring of infection develops at the edge of the old ring.

Fungi are microscopic plants that can live on the dead tissues of your skin, hair and nails, much like a mushroom growing on the bark of a tree. Fungal infections are very common and tends to affect scalp, groins, external genitals, trunk and foot.
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Tinea capitis or ringworm of the scalp, is typically caused by the fungus, trichophyton. This causes spotty baldness. We medically term this as “Alopecia areata.” Sometimes it causes total baldness.

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         Tinea versicolor is the commonest fungal infection. The lesions over the trunk and face are commonly misinterpreted with vitiligo patches. It starts as small circles in cluster form that spreads very rapidly all over.

Tinea corporis or ringworm of non-hairy areas of the body, is usually caused by trichophyton or microsporum. Ringworm is characterized by a red ring of small blisters or a red ring of scaly skin that grows outward as the infection spreads. Though children are especially susceptible to catching ringworm, it can affect adults as well.

     Tinea cruris is the common name for a fungal infection of the groin. If you're an adult, you've probably had it at sometime in your life. But women can get this itch frequently. Women can also get a fungal infection called Candidiasis, which begins in the vagina and may spread to external skin if left untreated. Men and women who perspire a lot or who are obese and have folds of skin that rub against each other are particularly prone to develop rashes in the groin area.
 

Tinea pedis, normally known as “Athlete's foot,” is another common fungal infection, and you don't have to be an athlete to get it. This annoying ailment occurs in boys and girls, men and women of all ages. The lesions are itchy, scaly and red rash that usually starts between the toes; if untreated, develops into cracked, blistered skin, that may become infected. Dry, flaking skin on the soles of the feet gives an unpleasant foot odour, small itchy bubbles or blisters on the soles of the feet. This fungal infection has to be differentiated from psoriatic lesions.

   Personal Hygiene is very important. Do not use towel, dress, hat, comb of infected persons. If you are prone to sweat more take bath with suitable antibacterial soap. Always keep your undergarments dry under good sunlight. It is better to rinse in hot water to kill the fungus.
   Always use cotton underwears which aid good air circulation and sweat absorption. Sunbath is an ideal treatment for the victims to kill the fungus. Change your sweaty clothes immediately soon after exercising. Make sure your feet gets plenty of air.
   Keep your nails short, and clean out debris under and around nails to prevent spread of the infection. Make sure that your shoes fit properly. Small shoes make it more likely for the infection to spread to nearby nails.
   Wear cotton socks and shoes that absorb sweat and aid air circulation.

 
      

      Tinea tends to affect the individuals who sweat a lot. Normally, the victims try with many anti-fungal and steroid ointments in vain. Tinea infection is often a challenge to the medical profession. If we look into the causative factor, the fungus grows well on sweat and on the dead cells. It takes nutrition from them. Usually the patients often goes to the clinic with recurrence .

  In Homoeopathy we think the cause to be the tubercular miasm, which is a part of psora. Here the immunity is impaired and the organisms invade easily. Normally modern medicines treat this as a local disease but we give importance as a whole to enhance immunity. We analyse the character of sweat such as nature, smell .... the study involves person as a whole to find a suitable remedy which eradicates tinea permanently.