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Tinea incognito in Korea and its risk factors: nine-year multicenter survey

Won-Jeong Kim1, Tae-Wook Kim, Je-Ho Mun

  • 1Department of Dermatology, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Busan, Korea. ; Biomedical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hospital, Busan, Korea.

Journal of Korean Medical Science
|January 24, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Tinea incognito (TI), a fungal infection altered by improper steroid use, is rising. This study highlights its varied appearance and common causes in Korea, emphasizing the need for clinical awareness.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Mycology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Tinea incognito (TI) presents atypically due to misuse of immunosuppressants like steroids.
  • The incidence of TI is increasing globally.
  • Understanding TI's characteristics is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the demographic, clinical, and mycological features of Tinea incognito.
  • To identify risk factors associated with TI.
  • To provide insights into the rising incidence of TI in Korea.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of 283 Tinea incognito patients from 25 Korean dermatology training hospitals (2002-2010).
  • Analysis of patient demographics, clinical presentations, and mycological findings.
  • Identification of causative fungal species.

Main Results:

  • Over half of patients (59.3%) had prior self-treatment or treatment by non-dermatologists.
  • Common clinical forms included eczema-like, psoriasis-like, and lupus erythematosus-like lesions.
  • Trichophyton rubrum was the most frequent isolate (73.1%), and 32.2% had coexisting fungal infections.

Conclusions:

  • Tinea incognito often mimics other dermatoses, necessitating consideration in cases of intractable eczema-like lesions, especially with concurrent tinea pedis or unguium.
  • The study underscores the impact of topical steroid misuse on fungal infection presentation.
  • Policy changes regarding over-the-counter potent topical steroid accessibility may be warranted.
Keywords:
Calcineurin InhibitorDermatophytosesKoreaSteroidTineaTinea Incognito

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