Bilateral tinea nigra in a temperate climate

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Mycology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Tinea nigra is a superficial fungal infection caused by the dematiaceous fungus Phaeoannellomyces werneckii.
• It commonly manifests as asymptomatic, non-scaly, pigmented macules, predominantly on the palmar surfaces.
• Bilateral presentations are exceptionally rare, with only a few cases documented in medical literature.

Observation:

• A 5-year-old boy presented with two distinct hyperpigmented lesions on both palms.
• These lesions had irregular borders and had been present for three months.
• The clinical presentation was consistent with tinea nigra, a rare fungal infection.

Findings:

• The case represents a rare bilateral occurrence of tinea nigra on the palmar skin.
• Microscopic examination or fungal culture, though not detailed in the abstract, would confirm the diagnosis.
• The patient's lesions responded well to topical antifungal treatment.

Implications:

• This case expands the understanding of the clinical spectrum and rare presentations of tinea nigra.
• It underscores the importance of considering fungal infections in the differential diagnosis of palmar hyperpigmentation, even in bilateral forms.
• Effective treatment options, such as topical ketoconazole, are available for this condition.