fungal skin infections

Question 1

how is the infection transmitted?

Answer 1

o Direct contact with an infected person (anthropophilic spread from human to
human).
o Direct contact with an infected animal (zoophilic spread from animals to human) o Indirect contact with fomites (objects or materials which carry infection, such
as clothing, towels, or bed linen) – or contact with fungal spores on the surfaces of public spaces (e.g. swimming pools) which are common causes for athlete’s foot
o Contact with the soil (geophilic infections)

Question 2

what are common presentations of skin infection?

Answer 2

o A history of scaly, itchy skin in the affected areas
o Single or multiple red or pink, flat or slightly raised annular (ring-shaped) patches
of varying sizes (usually 1–5 cm) which enlarge outwards
o Typically, lesions have an active red, scaly advancing edge and a clear central
area (so-called ‘central clearing’)
o Athlete’s foot – an itch between lateral toes coupled with diffuse chronic scaling
and hyperkeratosis affecting the sole (very dry)

Question 3

what are the red flags for skin infections?

Answer 3

• There is severe or extensive infection
• Failure to OTC treatment
• Immunocompromised patients
• Patients with diabetes
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding patients

Question 4

what is some life style advice of skin infections?

Answer 4

• Wear loose-fitting clothes made of cotton or a material designed to keep moisture away from the skin
  
  • Maintain good hygiene by washing affected skin areas daily
• After washing dry thoroughly, especially in the skin folds
• Avoid scratching affected skin, as this may spread infection to other sites
• Do not share towels, and wash them frequently, to reduce the risk of transmission
• Wash clothes and bed linen frequently to eradicate fungal spores

Question 5

what is the lifestyle advice for athletes foot

Answer 5

• Wear well-fitting, non-occlusive footwear that keeps the feet cool and dry
• Maintain good foot hygiene by wearing a different pair of shoes every 2–3 days

Question 6

what are the drug treatment options for skin infections?

Answer 6

• Imidazoles e.g. clotrimazole and miconazole
• Terbinafine 1% cream
hydrocortisone 1% cream

Question 7

how long should antifungals be used for?

Answer 7

Treatment courses are usually for 2 weeks, but most importantly the topical antifungal should be continued for at least 7 days after the skin lesions have healed, to prevent a re-infection.

Question 8

what ages can use terbinafine

Answer 8

over 18

Question 9

what ages cannot use hydrocortisone?

Answer 9

under 10s

Question 10

who cannot use miconazole?

Answer 10

under 4 months