Related Experiment Videos
Bizarre annular lesion emerging as tinea incognito
J Wacker1, B K Durani, W Hartschuh
1Department of Dermatology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
Mycoses
|October 27, 2004
Summary
Tinea incognito, a fungal infection altered by topical corticosteroids, can mimic other skin conditions. This case highlights a unique presentation of annular lesions caused by Microsporum canis.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Mycology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Tinea incognito is defined as a fungal infection where clinical presentation is altered by topical corticosteroid use.
- This modification can lead to atypical presentations, potentially causing misdiagnosis of various dermatological conditions, including annular eruptions.
Observation:
- A patient presented with unusual annular, inflammatory skin lesions localized to the umbilical region.
- The morphology of these lesions was atypical for a standard fungal infection.
Findings:
- Mycological culture from the patient's skin lesions identified Microsporum canis as the causative agent.
- This finding confirmed a dermatophyte infection presenting as tinea incognito.
Implications:
- Recognizing the varied clinical presentations of tinea incognito is crucial for accurate diagnosis.
- Awareness of this condition can prevent misdiagnosis and ensure appropriate antifungal treatment.
- This case underscores the importance of considering fungal infections even when clinical features are masked by prior treatments.