Tricophyton rubrum

What is it?
  • Tricophyton are a group of parasitic fungi that can infect and live on damp skin, hair or nails.
  • This group of fungi can cause a variety of common infections, including ringworm and athletes foot (in fact, this group of fungi is the most common cause of ringworm infections worldwide).
How does it spread?
  • Tricophyton can spread directly from one person to another through skin contact, as well as from pets to people.
  • Tricophyton love damp areas, such as the bottom of shower trays or bathroom floors and can spread from person to person via skin scales that are shed on these areas.
  • These germs can also be spread indirectly through objects that have been in contact with an infected person’s skin - hair brushes, towels, clothing and bedding for example.
Who is at risk?
At risk
  • Anyone can become infected with this group of fungi and infections such as ringworm and athlete’s foot are very common.
  • Some people are more likely to suffer from infections than others - children are more susceptible than adults and boys are more susceptible than girls.
  • People with eczema or damaged skin can get ringworm infections more easily than those with healthy skin.
Symptoms
  • Some of the common infections caused by this group of fungi can cause the following symptoms:
  • Athlete’s Foot
    Infections often take place where there are ‘folds’ of skin, for example athlete’s foot infections happen in between the toes and cause red, raised itchy patches of skin
  • Ringworm
    Raised itchy patches of skin, often in a ring shape with a darker red edge on ‘open’ areas of skin
  • Infected Nails
    Nails appear thick and discoloured and may crumble
  • If any of these infections have made someone’s skin cracked, they can sometimes go on to catch a bacterial infection of the skin or cellulitis.
Salmonella bacteria

  • Prevent the spread

  • It’s important to disinfect any damp areas you touch, such as shower trays, bathroom floors or shower curtains regularly with a bleach based cleaner, such as Domestos, as they can help these fungi spread.
  • Avoid touching the infected skin areas of people or pets if you know they have an infection, and make sure you wash your hands thoroughly on a regular basis, particularly after touching pets where infections may be hard to spot underneath their fur.
  • Make sure you practice good personal hygiene, and pay particular attention to drying areas with ‘folds’ of skin, such as between your toes after washing.
  • Don't share towels, hairbrushes, combs, clothing, sports kit etc.
  • If someone in your home is infected, wash their clothing, bedlinen, towels etc. separately and as the last wash load (ie after you have finished all your other washing). You should also use a laundry detergent that contains bleach (eg Persil Biological tablets or powder) and a hot wash cycle (eg 60 degrees).