Tinea barbae is a fungal infection of the hair. Tinea barbae is due to a dermatophytic infection around the bearded area of men. Generally, the infection occurs as a follicular inflammation, or as a cutaneous granulomatous lesion, i.e. a chronic inflammatory reaction. It is one of the causes of folliculitis. It is most common among agricultural workers, as the transmission is more common from animal-to-human than human-to-human. The most common causes are Trichophyton mentagrophytes and T. verrucosum. Signs and symptoms
Main symptoms that occur when affected with tinea barbae is pimple or blister amongst affected area, swelling and redness around infected area, red and lumpy skin on infected area. Crusting around hairs in infected area will occur, hairs on infected area will also be effortless to pull out. Tinea barbae can be itchy or painful to touch but these symptoms do not always occur. Transmission
The transmission of tinea barbae to humans occurs through contact of an infected animal to the skin of a human. Infection can occasionally be transmitted through contact of infected animal hair on human skin. Tinea barbae is very rarely transmitted through human to human contact but is not completely impossible. Diagnosis
Diagnosis of tinea barbae will firstly include questions being asked from doctors about interactions with farm animals and lifestyle experiences. Doctor will then gain knowledge on possible disease by microscopy, this is viewing the skin under a microscope to get an enlarge view of infected area. Skin scraping and removal of hairs on infected area will occur for medical examination.
MRI scans can also confirm a diagnosis; abnormal low intensities can indicate iron accumulation in the brain. Prevention
Children of affected individuals are obligate carriers for aceruloplasminemia. If the CP mutations has been identified in a related individual, prenatal testing is recommended. Siblings of those affected by the disease are at a 25% of aceruloplasminemia. In asymptomatic siblings, serum concentrations of hemoglobin and hemoglobin A1c should be monitored.To prevent the progression of symptoms of the disease, annual glucose tolerance tests beginning in early teen years to evaluate the onset of diabetes mellitus. Those at risk should avoid taking iron supplements. Treatment
Treatment includes the use of iron chelating agents (such as desferrioxamine) to lower brain and liver iron stores, and to prevent progression of neurologic symptoms. This, combined with fresh-frozen human plasma (FFP) works effectively in decreasing liver iron content. Repetitive use of FFP can even improve neurologic symptoms. Antioxidants such as vitamin E can be used simultaneously to prevent tissue damage to the liver and pancreas. See also
Human iron metabolism
Iron overload disorder

References
External links

GeneReviews/NCBI/NIH/UW entry on Aceruloplasminemia
OMIM entries on Aceruloplasminemia