What is the Difference Between Tinea Corporis and Tinea Cruris

The key difference between tinea corporis and tinea cruris is that tinea corporis is a superficial fungal infection that normally occurs on the torso, arms, legs, and neck of a person, while tinea cruris is a superficial fungal infection that normally occurs on the groin area, inner thighs, and butt crack.

Tinea is a condition caused by a dermatophyte infection. A dermatophyte is a type of fungus that grows on body surfaces such as the skin and hair. Tinea corporis and tinea cruris are two different tinea conditions. Tinea corporis is commonly known as ringworm, whereas tinea cruris is known as jock itch.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Tinea Corporis  
3. What is Tinea Cruris
4. Similarities – Tinea Corporis and Tinea Cruris
5. Tinea Corporis vs. Tinea Cruris in Tabular Form
6. FAQ – Tinea Corporis and Tinea Cruris
7. Summary – Tinea Corporis vs. Tinea Cruris

What is Tinea Corporis?

Tinea corporis is an itchy, contagious fungal infection that causes ring ring-shaped pattern on the skin, torso, arms, legs, and neck. The symptoms of this condition may include a ring-shaped rash, red skin that is scaly or cracked, hair loss, and itchy skin. Moreover, the risk factors for this condition may include living in damp, hot, or humid areas, excessive sweating, participating in contact sports, wearing tight clothing, having a weak immune system, sharing clothing, bedding, or towels with others, and diabetes.

Tinea corporis can be diagnosed through physical examination and observing skin scrapings from the affected area under a microscope. Furthermore, treatment options for tinea corporis may include over-the-counter products such as clotrimazole and miconazole and oral medications like terbinafine, itraconazole, and fluconazole.

What is Tinea Cruris?

Tinea cruris is a common fungal infection that causes an itchy, stinging, burning rash on the skin around the groin, inner thighs, and butt crack. The symptoms of tinea cruris may include burning, itching sensations, irritation, change in skin colour, scaly and flaky skin, and ring-shaped rash that may have small bumps or blisters. Moreover, the risk factors for tinea cruris are diabetes, obesity, and a weakened immune system.

Tinea cruris can be diagnosed through medical history, physical examination, and skin biopsy. Furthermore, treatment options for tinea cruris may include over-the-counter and prescription antifungal creams, ointments, gels, sprays, that contain clotrimazole, miconazole, tolnaftate or terbinafine, and prescription antifungal medication pills that contain fluconazole, itraconazole or terbinafine.

What are the Similarities Between Tinea Corporis and Tinea Cruris?

• Tinea corporis and tinea cruris are two different tinea conditions.
• Dermophytes cause both conditions.
• These conditions are contagious.
• Both conditions can cause a ring-shaped rash.
• Both conditions can be diagnosed through physical examination.
• They can be treated through specific antifungal medications.

What is the Difference Between Tinea Corporis and Tinea Cruris?

Tinea corporis is a superficial fungal infection that normally occurs on the torso, arms, legs, and neck of a person, while tinea cruris is a superficial fungal infection that normally occurs on the groin area, inner thighs, and butt crack. Thus, this is the key difference between tinea corporis and tinea cruris. Furthermore, the risk factors for tinea corporis may include living in damp, hot, or humid areas, excessive sweating, participating in contact sports, wearing tight clothing, having a weak immune system, sharing clothing, bedding, or towels with others, and diabetes. On the other hand, the risk factors for tinea cruris may include diabetes, obesity, and a weakened immune system.

The infographic below presents the differences between tinea corporis and tinea cruris in tabular form for side-by-side comparison.

FAQ: Tinea Corporis and Tinea Cruris

How do you identify tinea corporis?

Tinea corporis infection can be identified by its symptoms, including the scaly ring-shaped area on the buttocks, trunk, arms, and legs, itchiness, and a clear or scaly area inside the ring, perhaps with a scattering of bumps whose color ranges from red to white skin to reddish, purplish, brown or gray on black and brown skin and by slightly raised, expanding rings.

What is the first-line treatment for tinea cruris?

The first-line drug used in the treatment of tinea cruris is Clotrimazole topical.

What is the fastest way to cure tinea corporis?

The fastest way of curing tinea corporis is the use of an antifungal cream containing clotrimazole, ketoconazole, econazole, tolnaftate, or terbinafine

Summary – Tinea Corporis vs. Tinea Cruris

Tinea is a highly contagious fungal infection of the skin. These fungi thrive in hot, moist areas. Common infection sites for these fungi are the feet and groin. Good hygienic practices normally can prevent recurring attacks of tinea. Tinea corporis and tinea cruris are two different tinea conditions. However, tinea corporis is a superficial fungal infection that normally occurs on the torso, arms, legs, and neck of a person, while tinea cruris is a superficial fungal infection that normally occurs on the groin area, inner thighs, and butt crack. So, this summarizes the difference between tinea corporis and tinea cruris.

Reference:

1. Aaron, Denise M. “Tinea Corporis (Body Ringworm) – Dermatologic Disorders.” MSD Manual Professional Edition, MSD Manuals.
2. “Jock Itch: What It Is, Symptoms & Treatment.” Cleveland Clinic.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Tinea corporis” By Mohammad3021 – Own work (CC0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Tinea cruris” By Robertgascoin – File:Ji2.jpg (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia