Tinea Nigra.

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Mycology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Tinea nigra is a superficial fungal infection characterized by asymptomatic, pigmented macules.
• It typically affects the palms and soles, though other body areas can be involved.
• The condition is rare in North India, making case reports valuable.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of tinea nigra in a pediatric patient in North India.
• To illustrate the diagnostic methods and successful treatment of this infrequent fungal infection.
• To contribute to the limited literature on tinea nigra prevalence in the region.

Main Methods:

• Clinical presentation of a 5-year-old boy with asymptomatic black spots.
• Microscopic examination of skin scrapings using Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) preparation.
• Treatment with topical Whitfield's ointment.

Main Results:

• The KOH preparation confirmed the presence of brownish-black, septate, branching hyphae with budding cells, indicative of fungal elements.
• The patient's asymptomatic black spots spread from palms to the neck, trunk, and thighs.
• Complete resolution of the lesions was achieved with topical Whitfield's ointment.

Conclusions:

• Tinea nigra, though infrequent, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of pigmented skin lesions.
• KOH preparation is an effective and rapid diagnostic tool for tinea nigra.
• Topical antifungals like Whitfield's ointment are curative for tinea nigra.