What Is Tinea Nigra?
Tinea nigra is a fungal infection that attacks the skin’s uppermost layers. This fungus is found in soil, sewage, and decaying vegetation in tropical or subtropical coastal regions. In particular, these areas consist of the Caribbean and the coast of South America.
Tinea Negra is rare in the United States, but when it does, it generally occurs in the hot, humid climates of the Southeast.
What Is The Cause Of Tinea Nigra?
Tinea nigra is instigated by a fungus called Hortaea werneckii, found in rotting wood, soil, compost, or sewage. The fungus may come into the body through a split in the skin
The fungus can infiltrate the skin through open wounds or cuts. It tends to thrive on clammy, clammy, and sweaty skin, which is why the palms of the hands and soles of the feet seem to be common targets for infection.
The fungus causes unproblematic brown or black patches growth on palms and feet. Occasionally other parts of the physique, such as the neckline and chest, can also affect.
Symptoms of Tinea Nigra
Tinea nigra is primarily painless and harmless, but it produces a few symptoms. They include:
A brown or black patch is similar to a stain that usually occurs on the palm or, more rarely, on the sole. People with tinea nigra have patches on their palms. The patch is generally flat, with distinct borders.
The gloomiest area of the patch is at the ends. Shading gets lighter as it extends inward. This darker outer area may look like a halo.
The lesion is slow-growing and generally appears on only one hand or foot.
Diagnosis of Tinea Nigra
Tinea nigra can appear as more severe skin conditions, such as malignant melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer that can present as dark spots. For this reason, your doctor may require to scrape a sample from the lesion and send it to a laboratory for analysis. In some cases, the injury can be scraped entirely off and does not require further treatment.
In many cases, a patient’s symptoms may lead a doctor to expect tinea nigra. However, as tinea nigra can be similar to several other conditions, it is essential to get a correct diagnosis. The doctor may inquire the individual about their current travel, injury history, and contact to wood, compost, or soil.
They will also generally take a skin culture and send it to a lab to see whether Hortaea werneckii grows within a week. If it does, it means that the test is positive for tinea nigra. Sometimes, a doctor may also do a skin biopsy to test for skin cancer, as certain types of skin cancer can look similar to tinea nigra.
Treatment of Tinea Nigra
People who try home remedies may see improvements with keratolytic agents. A keratolytic is a chemical that helps takes out excess skin.
Some potentially adequate keratolytic are:
- Wart cream
- Salicylic acid
- Whitfield’s ointment
These drugs may be harmless during pregnancy, so pregnant women or trying to conceive should see a doctor in its place of trying home remedies. If home treatment bombs, it is best to see a doctor. There are also other possible causes of brown lesions on the skin.
Doctors usually recommend topical antifungal creams to treat it. People should use the cream directly to the patch strictly as a doctor advises. In some cases, a person may also have to take oral antifungal medicines, especially if the lesions are extensive or if antifungal creams have not worked.
Doctors do not know what treatment period is most favourable, but the report advises that one month of treatment is sufficient.
Tips For Prevention
Since the fungus that causes ringworm is found in soil, wastewater, and decaying vegetation, the best way to prevent infection is to protect the skin. Wear shoes if you walk in hot, humid regions where the fungus is found. If there is a risk that you are touching vegetation, for example, if you are walking, gardening or planting, be sure to also wear gloves.
Conclusion:
Tinea Nigra is a rare and harmless skin condition. With treatment, it usually disperses up within a few weeks. It has no long-lasting side effects and is unlikely to reappear unless re-exposed to the fungus.
Also Read: Salmonella – Definition, Salmonella Enterocolitis, Causes, Symptoms, Risk Factors, Preventions
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