Tinea incognito in children: 54 cases

Abstract

The incidence of tinea incognito (TI) appears to have increased over recent years, although no large series of cases has been reported in children. The aim of this study was to analyse the main epidemiological, clinical and microbiological characteristics of TI diagnosed in children in comparison with other tineas. We undertook a retrospective study of 818 tineas diagnosed in children in a referral hospital between 1977 and 2006, concentrating on TI. Of the 54 TI diagnosed, 85% were in the last 15 years. Most children were older than 9 years of age. The most usual clinical forms were tinea corporis (46.3%) and tinea faciei (38.9%). Topical steroids alone had been used to treat 68.5% of the cases. Direct examination was positive in 91.5% of the cases examined. Culture was positive in 85.2% of cases. The most frequently isolated dermatophyte was Trichophyton mentagrophytes (44.4%). This is the largest case series of childhood TI reported to date. TI has increased over recent years and important differences were found between these TI and the other tineas in children over the same period.

Tinea Incognito in Korea and Its Risk Factors: Nine-Year Multicenter Survey

“…Tinea incognito (TI) is the term given to a dermatophyte infection, which has been modified in appearance by improper use of steroids or calcineurin inhibitors (1, 2). Since it was first described by Ive and Marks in 1968 (3), a few case reports and a number of review articles have been published on TI in English journals (1, 2, 4-6).…”

Tinea Incognita following the Use of an Antipsoriatic Gel

“…The present case underlines that physicians should keep in mind that clinical features of fungal infection can be modified by the increasing use of self-prescribed topical therapies, usually applied to treat incorrectly 'selfdiagnosed' diseases [10] . In a large Italian study, Romano et al [11] stated that the most frequent skin pathologies mimicking tinea incognita are eczema, impetigo, lupus erythematosus, rosacea and psoriasis.…”

Tinea Incognito: Case Report

“…[5][6][7][8][9] Both Potent fluorinated and non-fluorinated topical steroids may produce TI. [2][3][4][5] Arise of TI infection in recent years is partly due to an increasing number of patients who self-treat themselves with topical steroids that are obtained over the counter. More recently, a few cases of TI due to use of topical tacrolimus and pimecrolimus have been reported.…”

“…More recently, a few cases of TI due to use of topical tacrolimus and pimecrolimus have been reported. [2][3][4][5] Trichophyton rubrum is one of the most common anthropophilic dermatophyte throughout the world and the most frequently isolated dermatophyte in TI. [3][4][5][6] Although localized dermatophyte infections respond well to topical antifungals agents, TI should be treated with oral antifungals.…”

“…1,2 It was first coined by Ive and Marks. 3,4 The typical dermatophyte infection presents as annular lesions with erythematous scaly border and central clearing.…”