Finding fungus - an asymmetric scaly rash is fungus until proved otherwise!
There are not many cures in dermatology! But the onus is on us to find those that are!
Dermatophyte fungal infections can be one of those. Although we are now entering the era of oral antifungal drug resistance, the vast majority of dermatophyte infections are still curable with current medications.
Dermatophyte infections are usually asymmetric and are usually scaly and may have an accentuated edge.
On the palms, tinea is usually unilateral.
Tinea is occasionally sufficiently inflammatory to produce blistering.
The proof of the pudding however is in taking scrapings for mycology. Otherwise, it is educated guess work. It is relatively inexpensive and either PCR or culture will identify the causative fungus which will indicate whether the infection has been acquired from another human or from an animal.
The zoophilic fungi are usually very species-specific, so it is possible to tell exactly the source of the infection; so important in eradicating a potential outbreak. So take specimens - it's money well spent.
Remember that appearances of tinea can be modified by the use of topical steroids. They make the infection spread and allows the fungus to delve into hair follicles producing pustules.
Post your comment
Comments
10 August 26
Maiada
Nice information
7 August 26
May wahid
Very useful information
31 July 26
Elham Mutahar
In addition to know the source of fungal infection. I think KOH, and fungal culture will help in diagnosis.
30 July 26
Nina Sawicki
So, many prescribers use a combination of 1% HC and antifungal cream
Does a mild steroid cream also create a risk for follicular incursion?
30 July 26
Rob
...but, as stated, the diagnostic key is based on scraping.
I've seen a morphoeic BCC that looked identical, it proved resistant to anti-fungal therapy and the eventual diagnosis was made on biopsy.
30 July 26
Shaunagh
The concise illustrated format of these pearls is much appreciated
29 July 26
Itziar
Thanks for these very useful posts
29 July 26
Екатерина
Большое спасибо!
29 July 26
Ben
You should always keep leprosy as a possibility. Test for loss of sensation too.
No one has commented on this page yet.