Tinea Barbae (Beard Ringworm) - Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
Medically reviewed by Dr. Anand S. Urhekar, MD, MD Pathology, Clinical Advisor · Last updated July 2026
A dermatophyte infection of the beard and moustache area, usually acquired from cattle or other animals, producing inflamed pustules, crusting, boggy swellings and patchy hair loss. Unlike ordinary bacterial folliculitis, it requires oral antifungal treatment.
Concerned this might be tinea barbae? Scan it with our AI skin checker or, for moles and pigmented spots, our AI mole checker. Free, no signup required.
Quick Answer
Tinea barbae is ringworm of the beard area, usually caught from cattle or pets. It causes inflamed pustules, crusting and boggy patches with hairs that pull out painlessly, and is easily mistaken for bacterial folliculitis or barber's rash. Topical creams do not penetrate the hair follicle adequately, so treatment is oral terbinafine or itraconazole for four to six weeks.
Symptoms
- Red inflamed patches with pustules in the beard area
- Crusting and boggy swelling
- Hairs that come out easily and painlessly
- Patchy hair loss in the beard
- Sometimes swollen local lymph nodes
Causes & Risk Factors
- Zoophilic dermatophytes from cattle, horses and pets
- Trichophyton verrucosum and T. mentagrophytes most common
- Occupational exposure in farming and veterinary work
- Rarely spread via contaminated barber equipment
Treatment & Management
- Oral terbinafine or itraconazole for 4–6 weeks
- Antifungal shampoo or cream as an adjunct
- Stopping shaving over inflamed areas until improved
- Treating infected animals
- Confirmation by fungal culture or microscopy
When to See a Doctor
See a doctor for any beard rash with pustules or hair loss that has not responded to antibiotics — fungal sampling should be done before further treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is tinea barbae different from ordinary folliculitis?
Folliculitis is bacterial, itchy and responds to antibiotics. Tinea barbae is deeper, boggier, causes hair loss with painless hair extraction, and only improves with oral antifungals.
Can I keep shaving?
Avoid shaving inflamed areas while active, as it spreads the infection and irritates the skin. Discard or thoroughly disinfect razors and brushes used during the infection.
Related Conditions
Medical References
Information on this page is sourced from and verified against reputable medical resources:
Concerned About Your Skin?
Upload a photo and get instant AI-powered analysis across 80+ skin conditions. Track your condition over time with photo timelines, or use our dedicated AI mole checker for moles and pigmented lesions.
Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content on this page should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problem. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for proper medical evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of your condition.