A fungal infection of the skin, commonly called ringworm (tinea). The different types of ringworm are usually named for the location of the infection on the body.

• Feet (tinea pedis, commonly called "athlete's foot")

• Groin, inner thighs, or buttocks (tinea cruris, commonly called "jock itch")

• Scalp (tinea capitis)

• Beard (tinea barbae)

• Hands (tinea manuum)

• Toenails or fingernails (tinea unguium, also called "onychomycosis")

• Other parts of the body such as arms or legs (tinea corporis)

• Skin (tinea versicolor)

The cause is the Trichophyton mentagrophytes fungus that grows on the skin.

The main symptom is itching. If pain is present, it may indicate secondary infection. The location determines the presentation on the body, e.g., on the soles and feet there is chronic, non-inflammatory scaling, and in the toe webbing there is fissuring, maceration, and loss of skin. Lastly, there may be groups of blisters and destructive nail involvement. Secondary bacterial infection may occur.

Using a microscope, mold (hyphae) can be seen in skin scrapings.

Personal hygiene is an essential factor in prevention. Measures include: careful drying between toes after bathing, changing socks frequently, and use of antifungal creams and powders. Systemic medications are used when topical therapy fails.

Recurrence is common, and the condition becomes a chronic affliction.

• 38 CFR 4.118 (a) For the purposes of this section, systemic therapy is treatment that is administered through any route (orally, injection, suppository, intranasally) other than the skin, and topical therapy is treatment that is administered through the skin. 

• 38 CFR 4.118 (b) Two or more skin conditions may be combined in accordance with 38 CFR 4.25 only if separate areas of skin are involved. If two or more skin conditions involve the same area of skin, then only the highest evaluation shall be used. 

Tinea Barbae and Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) are separate conditions.  Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (PFB) is typically not due to a skin infection and is a common condition associated with the removal of facial hair.  This condition is more likely due to inflammation and can be classified under DC 7806.  However, if treatment records show that the pathogen is/was bacterial, fungal, viral, or parasitic, consideration to DC 7820 (Infections of the skin not listed elsewhere including bacterial, fungal, viral, treponemal, and parasitic diseases) may be more appropriate.