Tinea Nigra
Pronounced: Tee-nee-uh Ni-gra
Definition
Tinea nigra is a type of dermatomycosis. A dermatomycosis is a fungal infection of the skin. Tinea nigra affects the outermost layer of skin, called the stratum corneum. Tinea nigra causes a black or brown patch on the skin. Although a patch of tinea nigra may be mistaken for the more serious skin discolorations of melanoma, tinea nigra is actually a very benign condition that often causes no symptoms apart from its appearance.
Cross-Section of Skin
Causes
Tinea nigra is caused by a fungus called Hortaea werneckii that lives in rotting wood, soil, compost, or sewage. You may contract the fungus if you are around any of these materials and you suffer an injury that involves a break in the skin.
Risk Factors
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition. Individuals more likely to develop tinea nigra are:
- Children
- Young adults
- Females
-
Living or traveling in tropical or subtropical areas, such as:
- South Africa
- Brazil
- Panama
- Cuba
- Puerto Rico
- Coastal areas along the Southeastern seaboard of the United States
Symptoms
Tinea nigra causes a brownish-black patch on the skin. The area tends to expand over time, has an irregular shape, and often sports a darker border. Sometimes the area is itchy or scaly. Patches usually affect the palms of the hands or soles of the feet. Occasionally, patches may appear on the neck or trunk.
Diagnosis
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam. You may need to see a dermatologist for testing, diagnosis, and treatment of this condition. Tinea nigra is diagnosed by scraping a small sample of the affected skin. The sample is cultured in a laboratory and examined under a microscope, where the fungi can be identified.
Treatment
Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Tinea nigra is usually treated with topical medications that can be applied to the affected area of skin, such as:
- Whitfield’s Ointment
- 2% Miconazole cream
- 2% Ketoconazole cream
- 5-10% Salicylic acid ointment
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
Canadian Family Physician
http://www.cfpc.ca/cfp/
Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index-eng.php/
References:
Gupta AK. Tinea corporis, tinea cruris, tinea nigra, and piedra. Dermatological Clinics . 2003;21:395-400.
Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology . 4th ed. St. Louis: Mosby; 2004.
Mandel GL, Bennett JE, Dolin R. (eds). Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases . 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier, Inc.; 2005.
Last reviewed November 2008 by David L. Horn, MD, FACP
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Copyright © 2007 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.