Exploring the clinical features and risk factors for children tinea capitis complicated with allergic diseases

Abstract

Background Tinea capitis, atopic dermatitis and allergic rhinitis are the most common disorders endured by prepubescent children. Dermatophyte infections have been linked to allergic disorders, such as increased sensitivity to dermatophytes in patients with atopic dermatitis. Objectives To explore the correlation between tinea capitis and allergic diseases in children and to analyse their risk factors. Methods This study monitored epidemiological changes in childhood tinea capitis and risk factors for whom with allergic disease in a single centre in three consecutive five‐year intervals by reviewing clinical data and multivariate logistic data analysis. Results Between 2007 and 2022, there were 127 children patients with tinea capitis, the mean age was 4.83 years, and the male‐to‐female ratio was 1.76:1. Zoophilic Microsporum canis and Trichophyton mentagrophytes were the most prevalent pathogens, and the proportions remained relatively constant every 5 years. There were 34 (26.8%) children with tinea capitis complicated with allergic disease, among them 14 children with atopic dermatitis/eczema, 13 with allergic rhinitis, 8 urticaria, 6 food allergies and 1 allergic asthma. Male, kerion, zoophilic species infections and animal contact history were prevalent features in allergic disease combined with tinea capitis. Patients with tinea capitis plus allergic disease mostly had a family history with similar complications. Conclusion M. canis and T. mentagrophytes were the most prevalent pathogens of tinea capitis in the last 15 years; atopic dermatitis/eczema and allergic rhinitis were the most frequently associated allergic diseases. Male, kerion, zoophilic pathogen and animal contact history are risk factors.

Epidemiologic features and therapeutic strategies of kerion: A nationwide multicentre study

“…34 In our study, 6.6% of patients with kerion had had AD before, which was significantly higher than the rate of patients with noninflammatory TC (0.8%), as skin barrier dysfunction and reduced production of epidermal antimicrobial peptides in AD patients could trigger severe skin infections. 35,36 Our study also indicated that animal contact could increase the risk of kerion development, as animals could be healthy carriers of geophilic and zoophilic pathogens [37][38][39] due to their 'burrowing and denning' habits and contact with other animals. Interestingly, endothrix hyphae were also related to kerion occurrence.…”

Aetiology of tinea of vellus hair and substrate specificity in Microsporum species

“…The percentage of a history of animal contact was over 65.21% (15/23) in our study and thus pet holding is an obvious risk factor for zoophilic pathogen infection. 36 In Italy, 46 cases of tinea faciei due to M. canis were reviewed, 39.13% (18/46) of the cases involving the vellus hair follicle.…”