This articleneeds additional citations forverification.(December 2008) |
Tinea incognita,also spelledtinea incognito,is afungal infectionof theskinthat generally looks odd for a typicaltinea infection.[1][2][a]The border of the skin lesion is usually blurred and it appears to have florid growth.[1]
| Tinea incognita | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Tinea atypia[1] |
 | |
| Tinea incognitain the forearm of a child being treated forcontact dermatitis | |
| Specialty | Dermatology |
It generally occurs following the application of asteroid creamto what at first is thought to beeczema.[1]Continued application results in expansion of the fungal infection which appears unrecognisable.[3]Occasionally,secondary infectionwithbacteriaoccurs with concurrentpustulesandimpetigo.[5]
Cause
editThe use of a topical steroid is the most common cause. Frequently, a combination topical steroid and antifungal cream is prescribed by a physician. These combinations includebetamethasone dipropionateandclotrimazole(trade nameLotrisone) andtriamcinolone acetonideandclotrimazole.In areas of open skin, these combinations are acceptable in treatingfungal infectionof the skin. In areas where the skin is occluded (groin,buttockcrease,armpit), the immunosuppression by the topical steroid might be significant enough to cause tinea incognita to occur even in the presence of an effective antifungal.
Diagnosis
editClinical suspicion arises especially if the eruption is on theface,ankle,legs,orgroin.A history of topical steroid or immunosuppressive agent is noted. Confirmation is with askin scrapingand either fungal culture ormicroscopicexam withpotassium hydroxidesolution.Characteristichyphaeare seen running through thesquamous epithelial cells.
Treatment
editThe removal of the offending topical steroid or immunosuppressive agent and treatment with a topical antifungal is often adequate. If the tinea incognita is extensive or involves hair bearing areas, treatment with a systemic antifungal may be indicated.[citation needed]
Notes
editReferences
edit- ^abcdChander, Jagdish (2018).Textbook of Medical Mycology(4th ed.). New Delhi: Jaypee Brothers Medical Publishers Ltd. p. 172.ISBN978-93-86261-83-0.
- ^James, William D.; Elston, Dirk; Treat, James R.; Rosenbach, Misha A.; Neuhaus, Isaac (2020)."15. Diseases resulting from fungi and yeasts".Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology(13th ed.). Elsevier. p. 296.ISBN978-0-323-54753-6.
- ^ab"What is tinea incognita?".DermNet NZ.
- ^Verma, SB (March 2017)."A Closer Look at the Term" Tinea Incognito: "A Factual as Well as Grammatical Inaccuracy".Indian Journal of Dermatology.62(2): 219–220.doi:10.4103/ijd.IJD_84_17.PMC5363154.PMID28400650.
- ^Habif, T. P. (1995)Clinical Dermatology.Mosby, 3rd ed.; pp. 41-42.