## Site Distribution in Tinea Corporis **Key Point:** The most common sites of tinea corporis are exposed areas of the body — face, neck, forearms, and dorsal surfaces — accounting for 40–50% of cases. ### Anatomical Distribution — Frequency Comparison | Site | Frequency | Clinical Features | |---|---|---| | **Exposed areas** (face, neck, forearms, dorsal hands) | **40–50% (most common)** | **Annular lesions, central clearing, scaly border** | | Intertriginous areas (axillae, groin, inframammary) | 20–25% | Maceration, erosion, satellite lesions | | Scalp and hair-bearing areas | 15–20% | Tinea capitis; more common in children | | Palms and soles | 10–15% | Hyperkeratotic, diffuse scaling; difficult to treat | ### Why Exposed Areas Are Most Commonly Affected 1. **Trauma and inoculation** — exposed skin is more prone to minor cuts and abrasions that facilitate fungal entry 2. **Environmental exposure** — direct contact with contaminated fomites and infected individuals 3. **Cosmetic visibility** — lesions on face and forearms prompt earlier presentation and reporting 4. **Climate in India** — warm, humid weather increases spore viability and transmission on exposed skin ### Clinical Presentation of Tinea Corporis on Exposed Areas **High-Yield:** Classic features include: - Annular (ring-shaped) lesions with raised, scaly erythematous borders - Central clearing ("ringworm" appearance) - Pruritus (variable intensity) - Unilateral or bilateral involvement - Sharp demarcation from normal skin **Clinical Pearl:** The face is a common site in tinea corporis caused by *T. rubrum*, and lesions here may be misdiagnosed as eczema or seborrheic dermatitis — always perform KOH mount to confirm. **Mnemonic:** **EXposed = EXtended involvement** — exposed areas are the most frequently affected in tinea corporis. [cite:Valia & Valia Textbook of Dermatology]
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