Subcutaneous mycoses: I Chromoblastomycosis

A chronic localised disease of the skin and subcutaneous tissues. Infections are caused by the traumatic implantation of fungal elements into the skin and are chronic, slowly progressive and localised. Characterised by crusted, warty lesions usually involving the limbs world-wide distribution but more common in bare footed populations living in tropical regions. Diagnosis: skin scrapings and/or biopsy tissue. Treatment: Can involve surgical removal of tissue. Fluorocytosine & the azoles thiabendazole & itraconazole are effective.