Barber’s Itch, also known as Tinea Barbae, is a superficial fungal infection of the beard. It often develops on the skin underneath the beard and can also occur on the neck, chin and upper lip.

Barber’s itch is contagious. This means it often spreads from animal to person and sometimes from person to person. It affects adult men generally. Barber’s itch is most commonly found among agricultural workers who come in frequent contact with animals.

Tinea barbae is caused by animal fungi Trichophyton verrucosum (from cattle) and Trichophyton mentagrophytes (from horses). It is transmitted through direct contact with infected animals or persons and indirectly through the sharing of an infected razor or beard brush.

Risk factors of barber’s itch are contact with an infected person or animal, sharing of razor or beard brush, having a coarse beard, poor nutrition, poor hygiene, farming, weakened immune system, chronic stress, misuse of anabolic steroids, autoimmune disease, diabetes and other chronic illnesses.

Barber’s itch does not usually cause serious complications. Meanwhile, if left untreated, it can spread to other parts of the body, cause hair loss, increased risk of bacterial infection, skin injury and swollen lymph nodes.

Laboratory diagnosis is by microscopy and culture of skin scrapings and hair pulled out by the roots. Skin biopsy can also be used for diagnosis.

Barber’s itch can be prevented by practicing good hygiene, proper hand-washing, not sharing personal objects, wearing protective clothing and drying the body after a bath or shower.

For an accurate diagnosis of Barber’s Itch, visit MedBioTechLab.

References:

my.clevelandclinic.org

www.dermnetnz.org

www.healthline.com

www.wikidoc.com