Do Oral Antifungals Necessitate Treatment for Tinea Incognito?
Age: 24, Gender: Female I can't believe how clueless I've been. While cleaning the floor, I suddenly felt an intense itch on my feet. When I looked down, I discovered numerous blisters had appeared seemingly out of nowhere, resembling dyshidrotic eczema. My first thought was, "Oh no, I must be allergic to the floor cleaner. This is entirely my fault. No big deal, I suppose." Having experienced dyshidrotic eczema flares frequently, I reverted to my usual method of managing it—starting a regimen of oral and topical steroids. After receiving my prescriptions, I picked up the medications and followed my standard protocol. I took the prednisone, applied the topical cream, and wore some high socks. However, as a few days passed, I noticed that my feet began to peel and, disturbingly, the skin had a yellowish hue. Glancing at my nails revealed the same yellow tint. With my prior education on onychomycosis, I realized the complications that lay ahead. I was unaware that vesicular athlete's foot existed. This was a valuable lesson, but it didn’t stop there. The situation escalated as it transformed into tinea incognito—likely exacerbated by the steroids. I have been utilizing the usual treatment methods, including soaking my feet like one would for athlete's foot or ringworm, along with topical applications, but progress has been slow. I find myself reluctant to start oral antifungals, which is understandable given the circumstances, yet I am concerned about delaying treatment if it’s the necessary course of action. Opinions on this matter vary widely, but it seems that many suggest that oral antifungals are essential for addressing tinea incognito. What are your thoughts? Thank you for your help! I apologize for the oversight on my part. :(
Answers (1)
8/22/2025, 4:51:52 AM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're dealing with a frustrating situation, and it's understandable to be concerned. Tinea incognito can indeed be tricky, especially as it can mimic other skin conditions and be exacerbated by topical steroids. Let's break down your situation and clarify the best approach.
Main Points
- Tinea incognito is a fungal infection that often appears worse due to the use of topical steroids, making it harder to treat.
- Oral antifungals can be crucial for effectively managing this condition, especially if topical treatments alone are not working.
Explanation
Tinea incognito occurs when a fungal infection (like athlete's foot) is masked by topical steroids, resulting in symptoms that can resemble other skin conditions. Treatment often requires more than just topical antifungal creams, especially if the infection has spread or persisted. Oral antifungals have been shown to penetrate the skin more effectively and eliminate the fungal infection from the body.
Given that you’ve noticed yellowing of your skin and nails and that your symptoms haven't improved significantly with topical treatments, it may be time to consider oral antifungals. They are often necessary because the topical treatment can sometimes fail to fully eradicate deeper infections.
Next Steps
-
Consider Oral Antifungals: If you feel hesitant, try to evaluate your symptoms over the next few days. If there's no significant improvement, it's likely that oral antifungals will provide the necessary intervention.
-
Continue with Soaking and Topical Treatment: Continue soaking your feet and applying antifungal topical creams to manage any discomfort and support treatment. Ensure that you're using a specified antifungal and not just an anti-itch cream.
-
Monitor Your Symptoms: Keep an eye on your symptoms over the next few days. If the yellowing or peeling worsens, or if you develop new symptoms, this further indicates the need for a different approach.
-
Practice Good Hygiene: Keep your feet dry and clean, and avoid using steroids until the infection is addressed. This can help prevent aggravation of the fungal infection.
-
Educate Yourself: Familiarize yourself further with tinea incognito and its treatments. Understanding the condition can help you feel more in control of your health.
Give yourself grace for this learning curve; skin issues can be complex. By following these steps, you will be on a path to better management of your symptoms and may find relief soon. Let me know if you have further questions or need more information!
Related Questions
Concerns About Black Spots on Father's Healing Leg Wound
Hello, I'm reaching out regarding my father, who is 71 years old. He sustained a leg injury during a hiking trip two months back, and while the wound is largely healed, we've noticed something troubling. Recently, two dark spots have appeared on the area where he was injured. Overall, my father is in good health, remains active, and has no significant medical issues—he does not have diabetes or any other conditions. We're unsure if these dark patches could potentially indicate gangrene or if they are something else entirely. Should we take this matter seriously, and to what extent should we be concerned?
Unusual Infected Opening on Finger
Hi reddit medical community, I'm reaching out about a concerning issue involving my boyfriend (29 years old). He's developed a strange infected opening on his finger that stands out from typical nail problems I found online. This opening is located on the lower joint of his finger and initially resembled a pimple. I attempted to pop it, but nothing substantial came out—just this unusual hole surrounded by some calloused skin that seems infected. He mentioned this issue arose a few days back, but he only brought it to my attention recently, so I’m not sure about its appearance prior to that. He can’t recall how it happened either, although it coincided with our first experience of having “special” lemonade that same night (a different tale altogether). My worries escalated when it appeared to be filled with pus and took on a greenish hue when he first revealed it to me. I tried to take care of it by cleaning the area with rubbing alcohol and spraying hydrogen peroxide on it. In my attempts to treat it like a pimple, I squeezed it, which released a small amount of pus—far less than I would have anticipated based on its initially alarming appearance. Ultimately, I decided to apply some Aquaphor and cover it with a band-aid. Does anyone have any insights into what this could be or suggestions on how to proceed? I appreciate your help! :)
Persistent Dizziness for Months
Hello everyone, I've been consulting with healthcare professionals for the past eight months, and despite numerous visits, they have yet to determine the cause of my symptoms. They appear hesitant to conduct tests that they believe might not yield useful results. I'm reaching out for any suggestions you might have. I'm a 21-year-old female, standing at 5'6" and weighing 65 kg. **Symptoms:** - I experience a sensation of weight or pressure centered at the front of my head. - It’s difficult to articulate, but I often feel an overwhelming heaviness in my eyes and face, similar to that exhausted feeling when you have to really focus to see clearly. This discomfort is constant. - When I walk, I feel an unusual bouncing sensation, as if I'm overly conscious of my up-and-down movement. - While sitting, I perceive a rocking motion, even when I'm completely still. - Occasionally, my symptoms worsen after meals, though this isn't always the case. - My symptoms intensify when I’m outdoors or at work, but I think this is largely due to my anxiety about feeling dizzy; driving doesn’t seem to affect me in the same way. This all began in January after the conclusion of a stressful romantic relationship. I was dealing with significant stress, leading to episodes of dizziness and fainting. Although those moments subsided temporarily, I now feel as though I'm perpetually on the verge of dizziness or experiencing it. I’ve undergone several blood tests. Initially, I was found to have low folate levels, which have since normalized, yet the dizziness persists. One test indicated elevated prolactin levels, which has now returned to normal—possibly linked to a recent miscarriage or medication I was taking at the time. I’m not anemic, but I have been referred to an endocrinologist. However, since my prolactin levels are back to normal, they don't consider it a relevant case for them. I’m truly at a loss and uncertain about what to convey or request from my doctors. My ability to leave the house has dwindled to just a few hours at a time. I used to lead an active lifestyle and frequently visited the gym, but now that feels impossible. It’s becoming unbearable, and all I yearn for is to resume a normal life.
Concerns After Hemorrhoid Sclerotherapy: Mucus and Discomfort
Hello, I underwent my second treatment for hemorrhoids about a month ago. A few days following the procedure, I felt a strong urge to use the restroom but experienced some difficulty. During this time, I noticed a considerable amount of mucus being expelled. This mucus only seems to appear at the onset of my bowel movements, and I've also been experiencing a burning sensation around my anal area. Is this to be expected as part of the recovery, or should I be concerned about the possibility of colon cancer? I'm feeling quite anxious about this. Thank you for your assistance. Just for context, I'm a 26-year-old man residing in Germany. I don't take any medication, don’t smoke, consume alcohol, or use any recreational drugs, and these are currently my only health issues.
Ankle Bump Concerns
At the age of 28, I experienced an ankle sprain on my left foot a few years back. Since then, I would occasionally encounter sharp pain around that same ankle, occurring roughly every six months. Thankfully, these episodes would typically resolve by the following day without any intervention. Approximately five months ago, I discovered a noticeable bump on my ankle. At first, it didn’t cause any pain or issues, but this past Saturday, the situation changed drastically as the bump became intensely painful and intolerable. In response, I consulted a physician who performed an X-ray. He speculated that it could be a cyst, and attempted to drain it with a syringe, only to find it solid and unyielding. As a result, he referred me to a different hospital and prescribed some pain relief medication. I decided to discontinue the painkillers just yesterday, and to my relief, the pain has vanished entirely. Today, I attended the appointment at the new hospital where I underwent both a CT scan and an MRI. The doctor expressed concern that there might be a tumor encroaching on the heel area and has subsequently referred me to a specialized cancer center. What are the chances that this could be malignant, and how serious could this situation potentially be?