Multiple, inflammatory elevations of the skin around the hair follicle are typical of fungal infections in the beard area. This image displays a circular border of tinea (ringworm), which is most evident on the neck, but it is also seen on the cheek. Tinea barbae occurs when hair follicles and the skin surface in the beard area are infected with fungus. Fungal infection of the hair follicles, leading to pus-filled lesions and red, crusted bumps of the beard region are typical of tinea barbae. This patient has fungal infection of the hair follicles, leading to multiple red bumps and crusts rather than a circle shape of typical ringworm on the skin surface. This case of tinea barbae (a fungal infection of the beard area) has pus-filled lesions with crusting.
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Ringworm, Beard (Tinea Barbae)  Information for adults

Picture of Ringworm, Beard (Tinea Barbae): Multiple, inflammatory elevations of the skin around the hair follicle are typical of fungal infections in the beard area. Divider line
Multiple, inflammatory elevations of the skin around the hair follicle are typical of fungal infections in the beard area.
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Signs and Symptoms
The most common locations for beard ringworm infection include the following:
  • Chin
  • Cheeks
  • Neck
  • Upper lip
Beard ringworm may affect either the outer surface (superficial) or the deep portion of the skin that holds shafts of hair (hair follicles). If the infection is superficial, beard ringworm appears as a pink-to-red scaly patch ranging in size from 1 to 5 cm. Alternatively, small pus-filled bumps (pustules) may be seen around hair follicles in the affected skin. In deeper forms of beard ringworm, you may see firm red nodules covered with pustules or scabs that may ooze blood and pus.

Beard ringworm is usually itchy. Deeper forms of beard ringworm may be accompanied by fever and swollen lymph glands.
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Last Modified: 22 Dec 2008
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