Beard lichen (tinea barbae)

The Beard lichen, also Tinea barbae or Beard mycosis called, is a male skin condition caused by fungus. It is shown by large reddish spots that can turn into pustules as the disease progresses and occur primarily on the facial hair.

What is a beard lichen?

Beard lichen, whose medical term is tinea barbae, is one of the so-called dermatophytoses. This includes skin diseases that are caused by one of the 38 types of deratophytes, a type of filamentous fungus.

One of the most common forms of this condition is beard lichen, which only occurs in men. There are also similar skin rashes caused by these fungi that can affect all mammals, for example head and face lichen.

Beard lichen usually affects older men; boys and young men are rarely affected. However, the presence and length of the beard play no role in the development and course of the disease.

Typical symptoms of beard lichen are round, scaly, reddish spots that connect very quickly with the hair follicles at the hairline and form so-called boils or pustules there. Sparkles are deep, very painful inflammations of the hair follicle and the surrounding tissue, which fill with pus and leave scars as they heal.

causes

The cause of beard lichen are infections with specific thread fungi, the deratophytes. The exact pathogens are called Trichophyton mentagrophytes, which occurs in rodents, or Trichophyton verrucosum, whose noun is cattle. More rarely, fungi or bacterial infections, mostly staphylococci, can be identified as the cause.

The transmission of the pathogen and thus the infection occurs through contact with the named animal species. The problem is that the fungal spores are not only highly contagious, but also remain infectious and resistant to all environmental influences for four years.

In order to be able to infect humans, the fungi have to overcome the natural skin flora and their specific immune system in order to be able to penetrate the nails, horny layer or hair. The following processes are very complex, but lead to the symptoms described.

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Symptoms, ailments & signs

A beard lichen is associated with a characteristic appearance. Typically, the skin of the face is reddened and painful or itchy. The first sign are circular red spots in the beard region where weeping scales can form.

In the later stages, the disease resembles a severe form of acne: the inflamed foci fill with pus and cause severe itching. If the pustules do not empty on their own, large boils will form. This can be accompanied by fever, chills and circulatory problems. A beard lichen is also expressed by an unpleasant odor.

Especially with the progression of the disease, there is a slightly putrid smell in the area of ​​the rash. Abscesses, scarred skin changes and bleeding can also occur. With a severe course, the beard hair falls out in the affected area, which leads to the characteristic light spots.

If the beard lichen is caused by a serious infectious disease, the inflammation can spread to other parts of the body. Then, in the course of the disease, redness and inflammation appear in the neck, neck and finally in the upper body and arms. In the absence of treatment, serious cardiovascular problems and other complications can arise.

Diagnosis & course

If a man notices noticeable spots on himself, he should make an appointment with a dermatologist. It is important to describe the rash as precisely as possible when making an appointment in order to get an appointment as soon as possible.

For the dermatologist, the shape, appearance and location of the rash are typical indicators of beard lichen and he can initiate general treatment if they suspect it. However, the exact diagnosis and thus the cause-related treatment may only be made if the pathogen has been properly identified after a swab and laboratory analysis of the skin.

Lupus erythematosus, an autoimmune disease, other fungal skin diseases, psoriasis and eczema can be excluded from the differential diagnosis.

If the reddish spots are not treated or treated insufficiently, they develop into pus-filled boils and, if treatment is still not carried out, into large abscesses. These can be accompanied by swelling of the lymph nodes and a fever. The chronification of beard lichen is also a possible complication of the untreated course.

Complications

Beard lichen, which is usually caused by the filamentous fungus Trichophyton mentagrophytes or Trichophyton verrucosum, can lead to considerable complications if left untreated. After the initial stage of the fungal infection, pustules typically form on the skin of the face in the areas with beard growth and fill with pus. If the pustules do not burst and are not opened mechanically, deep-reaching, painful boils develop.

Multiple boils can combine to form carbuncles and ultimately cause abscesses, which can also be accompanied by a fever. If basic hygiene is not observed, boils, carbuncles and abscesses are the gateway for infections with other germs. As a further complication, a kind of superinfection can develop, which can be caused by a wide variety of germs.

If the disease is not treated further, there is a risk that the inflammation will become chronic and difficult to treat. If no superinfection sets in, the beard lichen usually heals on its own after several months. However, the healed boils, carbuncles, and abscesses leave scars that can be a cosmetic problem.

If the pathogen causing the onset of beard lichen can be correctly diagnosed, broad-spectrum and, in some cases, pathogen-specific antimycotics are available for external use. The complications described above are largely avoided with professional and targeted treatment. The length of the beard itself does not affect the appearance of the beard lichen.

When should you go to the doctor?

If you develop beard lichen, you should always consult a doctor. The complaints can also spread to other regions of the body and lead to various complaints there too. A doctor should be consulted in the event of permanent reddening of the skin or if pustules appear in the area of ​​the beard. If there is swelling of the lymph nodes or a high fever, the symptoms can point to beard lichen, so it makes sense to see a doctor. It is not uncommon for other skin diseases or psoriasis to continue to occur.

As a rule, a dermatologist can be consulted directly with beard lichen. In acute emergencies or if you experience severe itching or pain, you can also go to the hospital. As a rule, treatment is carried out with the help of medication and does not lead to further complications. The complaints are contained relatively well. Especially a direct shave of the beard can remove and eliminate the beard lichen quickly. The life expectancy of the person affected is not restricted by this complaint.

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Treatment & Therapy

Beard lichen often heals by itself after several months, but since this does not take place without abscess formation, pain and large scars are associated with it.

For this reason, those affected are advised to seek medical treatment. In addition, chronification should be prevented. An important first step in treatment is a close shave of the affected area.

Further therapy depends on the identified pathogens and the severity of the disease. Beard fungus is treated externally with antimycotics or disinfecting creams, taking medication is rare and only necessary in very serious cases.

Outlook & forecast

Beard lichen allows for different prognoses, depending on the person affected, their hygiene and the type of treatment. In this way, a beard lichen recognized at an early stage, which is not yet in the stage of abscess and furuncle formation, can be treated well with medication. Complete healing is to be expected and no consequential damage is to be expected if detected early.

If left untreated, tinea barbae also heals. For those affected, this also means that pustules form first, then boils and abscesses later. Due to the enormous damage to the skin, this can enable secondary infections with other pathogens, which makes a dangerous superinfection possible.

The series of subsequent complications is long and includes, among other things, permanent disfigurement of the face due to tissue damage. In addition, hair roots - and with it the beard growth - are often lost in affected areas if the fungus is not treated with medication.

In addition, if the fungal infection progresses, it can lead to swollen lymph nodes and a fever.

The more conscientiously the treatment of a beard lichen is the more successful. For better access to the fungus and better skin regeneration, it is recommended that existing beard be shaved off. The better the face is cared for in the course of the treatment, the better the skin can regenerate.

A single infestation by beard mycosis does not lead to resistance in the affected person. The type of skin, various illnesses and living conditions play a key role in the likelihood of recurrence.

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prevention

Antifungal drugs are very effective anti-fungal drugs, provided they are used correctly and targeted at the pathogen. They are applied as a cream or ointment.

Due to the longevity of the pathogen, there are no safe preventive measures if contact with sick animals cannot be ruled out.

However, sick people should adhere to strict hygiene measures in order to avoid recurring infection. Used razors should be disinfected after each use, towels and specialist rags must be washed hot regularly or ideally boiled out.

Aftercare

Follow-up treatments or examinations are not necessary for a beard lichen that has been completely treated or healed on its own. With beard lichen healed alone, it can be assumed that there is no longer any recurrence. Even with tinea barbae treated with antifungal agents, it is assumed that treatment lasting several weeks will remove the last traces of the fungus.

The only exception are particularly serious fungal infestations, in which it cannot be ruled out that the spores are also located outside the neck and beard region. In this case, the use of systemic antimycotics is usually recommended even when the symptoms have completely subsided. This is usually continued for a few weeks and should be combined with blood tests due to the strain on the liver.

Any scars that may be caused by the fungus do not require any aftercare. They are just a cosmetic problem. In addition, it applies to people who have intensive contact with fur animals (e.g. farmers) that their animals should be examined for fungal infestation. This is because hairy animals in particular transmit the fungus particularly often. Accordingly, it is part of the follow-up care (and also the prophylaxis of a further infection) that the population is checked and, if necessary, treated.

You can do that yourself

Beard lichens can be treated independently in consultation with a doctor. It is usually sufficient to treat the affected area several times a day with fungicidal ointments, lotions and creams. A wet shave should also be avoided until the inflammation has subsided. It is advisable to use dry razors and to ensure adequate hygiene in general. In order to prevent renewed inflammation, diet and lifestyle habits should also be questioned and, if necessary, changed.

However, the cause of the beard lichen must first be determined. The cause is usually a weakened immune system, which can be treated with a healthy diet and sufficient physical activity as well as with intestinal rehabilitation or autologous blood therapy. Medicinal herbs such as taiga root also have a positive effect on the body's defense system.

Marigold ointment or tincture from the pharmacy helps against the actual inflammation. Alternatively, teas or compresses made from horsetail can be used. From homeopathy, for example, the Schüssler salts No. 1 "Calcum fluoratum", No. 11 "Silicea" and No. 12 "Calcium sulfuricum" can be used. Cheap household alternatives include vinegar and tea tree oil.