Cross sectional study of tinea incognito with Clinical and microbiological correlation.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Ive and Marks coined the term tinea incognito in 1968 to characterise the abnormal clinical presentation of dermatophytic infections caused by earlier use of topical or systemic drugs.. This phrase also refers to dermatophytosis that has been transformed as a result of use of various immunomodulators, such as topical calcineurin inhibitors. Dermatophytes break down dead keratin, causing an eczematous reaction. This response causes the fungus to have a limited supplying keratin, limiting infection. Steroids and other immunosuppressants suppress protective eczematous response, allowing fungal growth to flourish. These lesions are less scaly, lower elevated edge than classic dermatophytosis. They're usually large, pruritic, erythematous, pustular, they can look like other skin conditions.Because pharmacists frequently dispense drugs without prescription, many individuals seek care from them first. We tried to evaluate clinical manifestations, most prevalent sites , clinical patterns, causative agents, the usefulness of laboratory procedures in validating clinical diagnosis , species identification in the study of tinea incognito . Objective: Determine the incidence of tinea incognito and the causative agent using KOH and culture and to investigate relationship of topical steroids and severity of clinical lesions.