Relapse of Cutaneous Fungal Infection in Healthy Individuals - A Rising Concern

Abstract

Background: Superficial  fungal  infections  are  among    the  most  common  skin  diseases,  affecting  millions  of  people  throughout  the  world.  These  infections,  which  occur  in  both  healthy  and  immunocompromised  persons,  are  caused  by  dermatophytes,  yeasts  and  nondermatophyte  molds.  Effective  treatment  can  reduce  the  duration  of  symptoms  in  patients  with  superficial  fungal  infections.  Unfortunately,  there  is  a  strong  tendency  for  fungal  infections  to  recur  in  many  people  even  after  effective  clearing  with  medication. Aims  and  Objectives:  To  study  the  relapse  of  cutaneous  fungal  infection  in  healthy  people.  Materials  and  Methods:  160  patients  with  a  history  of  relapse  of  fungal  infections  who  came  to  the  out-patient  department  of  this  tertiary  care  hospital  within  6  months  period  were  studied  in  detail  regarding  patient  characteristics,  demographic  details  and  line  of  management. Results: Relapse of cutaneous fungal infection occurs most commonly in adults greater than 30 years (75%). There was a definite family history of fungal infections (15.6%) in patients coming with history of relapse. Tinea cruris (34.38%) was  the  most  common  site  to  come  with  history  of  relapse  followed  by  onychomycosis (15.6%). Relapse  occurred  in  38.75%  of  the  cases  treated    with  terbinafine  as  this  was  the  most  common  drug  used. Conclusion: Regardless  of  the  drug  taken  there  were  cases  of  relapse  in  cases  of  cutaneous  fungal  infection  even  in  healthy  individuals.