Kerion celsi

Kerion Celsi (or tinea barbae) is a particular form of ringworm affecting the beard and moustache areas of the face with invasion of coarse hairs. The affected men are commonly farm workers in cases caused by the two main species, T. verrucosum and T. mentagrophytes variant mentagrophytes. 

Kerion Celsi also requires a well-defined schedule of treatment terbinafine 250 mg/day for 6 weeks or itraconazole 100 mg/day for the same period. Fairly long-term follow up is recommended, and late recurrences undoubtedly occur. 

Fungal infections from animals are mostly on open skin areas. Infections by T. verrucosum or T. equinum for example, often result in deep follicular infections (kerion celsi) and are often misdiagnosed as bacterial infections. Children seem to be more susceptible to T. verrucosum than adults. Their skin lesions are often on the face or head. The deeper forms of fungal infections can be quite long standing, even feverish, and may leave permanent scars. Systemic, antimycotic treatment is often warranted in these cases. Zoophilic fungi may be difficult to culture e.g., T, verrucosum has its own specific cultural demands. 

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