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.