Sporotrichosis (patient information)
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Sporotrichosis |
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Sporotrichosis On the Web |
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Sporotrichosis is a long-term (chronic) skin infection that is caused by a fungus called ‘’Sporothrix schenckii‘’
What are the symptoms of Sporotrichosis?
Symptoms include a small, painless, red lump that develops at the site of infection. As time passes, this lump will turn into an ulcer (sore). The lump may develop up to 3 months after an injury.
Most sores are on the hands and forearms because these areas are commonly injured when handling plants.
The fungus follows the channels in your body's lymph system. Small ulcers appear as lines on the skin as the infection moves up an arm or leg. These sores do not heal unless they are treated, and they may last for years. The sores may sometimes drain small amounts of pus.
Body-wide (systemic) sporotrichosis can cause lung and breathing problems, bone infection, arthritis, and infection of the nervous system.
What causes Sporotrichosis?
Sporothrix schenckii is found in plants. Infection commonly occurs when the skin is broken while handling plant materials such as rosebushes, briars, or dirt that contains a lot of mulch.
Sporotrichosis can be a job-related disease for people who work with plants, such as farmers, horticulturists, rose gardeners, and plant nursery workers. Widespread (disseminated) sporotrichosis can develop in people with a weakened immune system when they inhale dust filled with spores of the fungus.
Who is at highest risk?
Diagnosis
When to seek urgent medical care?
Treatment options
The skin infection is usually treated with an antifungal medicine called itraconazole. It is taken by mouth and continued for 2 to 4 weeks after the skin sores have cleared. You may have to take the medicine for 3 to 6 months. A medicine called terbinafine may be used instead of itraconazole.
Infections that have spread or affect the entire body are often treated with amphotericin B, or sometimes itraconazole. Therapy for body-wide (systemic) disease can last up to 12 months.