Dermatophytoses

Question 1

Dermatophytoses

Meaning. Clinical Feature

Answer 1

infection of skin, hair, and nails caused by dermatophytes (fungi that live within the epidermal keratin
or hair follicle and do not penetrate into deeper structures)

Question 2

Dermatophytoses

Pathophysiology

Answer 2

digestion of keratin by dermatophytes results in scaly skin, broken hairs, crumbling nails/onycholysis

Question 3

Dermatophytoses

Etiology

Answer 3

Trichophyton, Microsporum, Epidermophyton species (Pityrosporum is a superficial yeast and not a
dermatophyte)

Question 4

Dermatophytoses

Investigations

Answer 4

skin scrapings, hair, and/or nail clippings analyzed with potassium hydroxide (KOH) prep to look for
hyphae and mycelia

Question 5

Dermatophytoses Management Topical

Answer 5

topicals as first line agents for tinea corporis/cruris and tinea pedis (interdigital type): clotrimazole, or
terbinafine or ciclopirox olamine cream applied bid

Question 6

Dermatophytoses Management Oral

Answer 6

oral therapy is indicated for onychomycosis or tinea capitis: terbinafine (Lamisil® – liver toxicity,
CYP2D6 inhibitor) or itraconazole (Sporanox® – CYP3A4 inhibitor, liver toxicity)