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Deep Fungal Skin Infections

Subcutaneous and systemic mycoses involving skin and deeper structures.

Written by: Saygı Hospital Health Guide Editorial Board
Published:

This content is for general information; please consult your physician for diagnosis and treatment.

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. You can book an appointment at our Dermatoloji department. Book Appointment →

What is Deep Fungal Skin Infections?

Deep cutaneous mycoses are infections caused by fungi that penetrate beyond the epidermis into the dermis, subcutaneous tissue, and sometimes bone or systemic organs.

Subcutaneous mycoses follow traumatic inoculation and include sporotrichosis (Sporothrix), chromoblastomycosis (Fonsecaea), and mycetoma (eumycetoma); systemic mycoses with cutaneous involvement include histoplasmosis, blastomycosis, coccidioidomycosis, paracoccidioidomycosis, and cryptococcosis, often in immunocompromised patients.

Diagnosis requires biopsy with special stains, fungal culture, and sometimes molecular methods; therapy uses prolonged systemic antifungals such as itraconazole, amphotericin B, terbinafine, and surgical excision in selected cases.

Symptoms

Chronic ulcer or nodular skin lesions
Verrucous plaques on extremities
Sinus tracts with grain discharge (mycetoma)
Lymphocutaneous nodules along lymphatic channels
Painful chronic abscess in skin
Skin lesions with disseminated symptoms (fever, weight loss)
Slowly progressive deformity over months to years

Risk Factors

Trauma in tropical or rural environments
Gardening, farming, and outdoor occupations
Immunosuppression (HIV, transplant, biologics)
Diabetes mellitus
Chronic lung disease in endemic mycoses
Travel to endemic regions
Working with soil and decomposing wood

When to See a Doctor?

If you experience any of the following symptoms, seek medical attention promptly:

  • Chronic non-healing skin ulcer
  • Verrucous plaque or sinus tract not responding to antibiotics
  • Lymphocutaneous nodules in a gardener or veterinarian
  • Skin lesions with systemic symptoms in immunocompromised host
  • Travel-related chronic skin lesion
  • Suspected mycetoma with grain discharge
  • Failure to respond to topical antifungals

Treatment Methods

01
Skin biopsy with PAS and Grocott stains
02
Fungal culture and molecular identification
03
Itraconazole for sporotrichosis and many subcutaneous mycoses
04
Amphotericin B for severe systemic mycoses
05
Combination antifungal therapy in mycetoma
06
Surgical excision and debridement when feasible
07
Long-term follow-up for relapse and immune reconstitution

Which Department to Visit?

You can visit our Dermatoloji department for these complaints. Our specialist physicians will create the most suitable treatment plan for you.

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Let us help you

You can make an appointment with our specialists or contact us for your concerns.

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Health Disclaimer: The information on this page is prepared for general informational purposes only. It does not replace medical diagnosis and treatment. Please consult your physician for your complaints. Saygı Hospital does not accept responsibility for actions taken based on the information on this page.