Category: What is Trichomycosis ?

Treating trichomycosis is a simple process that begins with shaving off the affected hair. Following the removal of hair, antibiotic creams, ointments, or powders may be used to help ensure that bacteria are eliminated from the area.

The antibiotic typically used is erythromycin. However, other types of antibiotics, such as clindamycin, may be used, as well as antifungal medication known as clotrimazole.

Trichomycosis Prevention

Once the infection has cleared, you can use drying powders and ammonium chloride to stop excessive sweating. This should help ensure that the infection doesn’t return.

Many people don’t notice they have trichomycosis, and diagnosing it doesn’t come with any specific test. Typically, your healthcare provider will conduct a physical exam to check for signs such as the red, yellow, and black bead-like nodules that appear on the hair shaft and other signs of infection.

If more information is needed to make a diagnosis, a solution of potassium hydroxide will be used to help determine if the bacterium is present on the body.

In some cases, a wood’s light exam will be used. This type of test utilizes ultraviolet light to identify the colonization of bacteria on the skin.

Does Trichomycosis Get Worse If It Goes Untreated?

While the infection itself won’t become any more severe, it can spread to other parts of the body if it is not diagnosed and treated.

Trichomycosis is caused by a type of bacteria known as coryneform-actinomycetes. The bacterium is referred to in medical literature as Corynebacterium tenuis.

While the infection itself generally isn’t passed from person to person, there are some risk factors that make it more likely for someone to get it. These risk factors include:

• Hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating of the underarms
• Living in a humid environment, such as a tropical climate
• Poor personal hygiene
• Obesity

Can Shaving Your Underarms Prevent Trichomycosis?

Since bacteria target the hair in the armpit, shaving can help reduce your risk of getting trichomycosis.

While many people with trichomycosis experience no symptoms at all, symptoms can develop. The symptoms are not severe and can cause mild discomfort in the armpit area, the groin, or the area between the buttocks.

Signs of infection from trichomycosis include:

• Sweating in the area that can be yellow, black, or red
• Underarm odor
• Small masses formed around the hair shaft (can be red, yellow, or black, and look similar to beads)
• Hair that becomes rough in texture
• Hair loss, in rare cases

Trichomycosis isn’t severe or serious in nature, and there are no complications associated with the infection.

Trichomycosis is a mild bacterial infection that mainly affects the axilla, also referred to as the armpit. Other areas of the body, such as the scalp, genitals, or buttocks, can also be affected.

While the infection itself isn’t serious and often comes without any symptoms, it can be uncomfortable. How common the infection is isn’t known since it is not often reported due to a lack of symptoms.