A very rare but treatable disease, skin TB represents roughly 1% to 1.5% of all TB cases.This article discusses the causes and symptoms of skin TB and how it’sdiagnosedand treated.

This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNet New Zealandwww.dermnetnz.org2023.

This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo

This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.

A person with skin tuberculosis on their ear (lupus vulgaris)

Reproduced with permission from © DermNet New Zealandwww.dermnetnz.org2023.

Types of Skin Tuberculosis

Skin TB is categorized based on the route of infection. Endogenous skin TB arises when the bacteria spread from the lungs, accessing the skin via the bloodstream orlymphatic system(a system of tubes and nodes that play a critical role in immune function).

Exogenous skin TB occurs from infection outside of the body. In these cases, TB bacteria directly access the skin and bloodstream via a wound, cut, or needle stick.The initial infection is close to the site of exposure.

Latent and Active TBOf those exposed to TB bacteria, only about 1 in 10 to 20 (5% to 10%) develop active, symptomatic TB.Symptomstypically affect the lungs and include chronic cough, blood or sputum (colored phlegm) when coughing, fever, and chills, among others.Most end up with latent TB, an asymptomatic (without symptoms) and non-contagious form of the condition.Screening for latent TB is recommended for anyone at greater risk of exposure.

Latent and Active TB

Of those exposed to TB bacteria, only about 1 in 10 to 20 (5% to 10%) develop active, symptomatic TB.Symptomstypically affect the lungs and include chronic cough, blood or sputum (colored phlegm) when coughing, fever, and chills, among others.Most end up with latent TB, an asymptomatic (without symptoms) and non-contagious form of the condition.Screening for latent TB is recommended for anyone at greater risk of exposure.

Of those exposed to TB bacteria, only about 1 in 10 to 20 (5% to 10%) develop active, symptomatic TB.Symptomstypically affect the lungs and include chronic cough, blood or sputum (colored phlegm) when coughing, fever, and chills, among others.Most end up with latent TB, an asymptomatic (without symptoms) and non-contagious form of the condition.

Screening for latent TB is recommended for anyone at greater risk of exposure.

Skin TB Symptoms

Skin TB symptoms vary based on the location and severity of the infection. Rashes, lesions, ulcers, and bumps, known as papules or nodules, arise, typically worsening over time. This leads to a range of specific clinical conditions, commonly occurring two to four weeks after exposure and worsening if untreated. Symptoms include:

Causes

WhileMycobacterium tuberculousis at the root of most cases, you can also get skin TB through infection from theMycobacterium bovisbacterium.

Exogenous skin TB cases arise due to direct contact with the bacteria, usually from a needle stick, cut, or wound. In the latter case,

Given how it’s spread—and since infections are more likely to become problematic in certain cases—some populations are more at-risk of developing skin TB. These include:

Diagnosis

When people present with skin TB symptoms, healthcare providers must assess their extent and isolate their exact cause. Alongside assessment of overall health, and medical history, several tests and techniques may be used for diagnosis, including:

Treatment

In severe cases of skin TB, surgeries may be attempted to remove problematic growths. In these cases, follow-upcosmetic surgerymay be needed to restore the skin’s appearance.

Prognosis

Generally, the outlook is good for people with skin TB who have healthy immune systems. Some forms of this disease resolve on their own, and treatments are highly successful in eradicating the infection.However, the prognosis gets more challenging in those who have conditions that affect immune function or are taking drugs that hinder it. Additionally, some forms of TB infection are resistant to antibiotic therapy, which is factored into care.

Summary

Skintuberculosis(TB) is a form of TB that affects the skin, causing significant, growths, lesions, ulcers, and other symptoms on different parts of the body. This bacterial infection may arise due to direct exposure to infecting bacteria or as a result of chronic TB. A very rare condition, prolonged courses of antibiotic treatment are highly effective in managing skin TB.

A Word From Verywell

Though uncommon, there’s no denying the impact that a condition like skin TB can have. When it comes to the health of your skin, it’s important to be proactive: to not let things slide. If you suspect something is wrong or are seeing unusual growths on your skin, don’t hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis.

7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Brito AC, Oliveira CMM, Unger DA, et al.Cutaneous tuberculosis: epidemiological, clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic update.An Bras Dermatol. 2022;97(2):129-144. doi:10.1016/j.abd.2021.07.004Santos JB, Figueiredo AR, Ferraz CE, et al.Cutaneous tuberculosis: epidemiologic, etiopathogenic and clinical aspects - part I.An Bras Dermatol. 2014;89(2):219-228. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20142334Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Tuberculosis (TB): signs and symptoms.US Preventive Services Task Force, Mangione CM, Barry MJ, et al.Screening for Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Adults: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement.JAMA. 2023;329(17):1487-1494. doi:10.1001/jama.2023.4899Mello RB, Vale ECSD, Baeta IGR.Scrofuloderma: a diagnostic challenge.An Bras Dermatol. 2019;94(1):102-104. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20188560Haitz K, Ly A, Smith G.Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis.Cutis. 2019;103(1):38-42.Centers for Disease Control.Treatment for TB disease.

7 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Brito AC, Oliveira CMM, Unger DA, et al.Cutaneous tuberculosis: epidemiological, clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic update.An Bras Dermatol. 2022;97(2):129-144. doi:10.1016/j.abd.2021.07.004Santos JB, Figueiredo AR, Ferraz CE, et al.Cutaneous tuberculosis: epidemiologic, etiopathogenic and clinical aspects - part I.An Bras Dermatol. 2014;89(2):219-228. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20142334Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Tuberculosis (TB): signs and symptoms.US Preventive Services Task Force, Mangione CM, Barry MJ, et al.Screening for Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Adults: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement.JAMA. 2023;329(17):1487-1494. doi:10.1001/jama.2023.4899Mello RB, Vale ECSD, Baeta IGR.Scrofuloderma: a diagnostic challenge.An Bras Dermatol. 2019;94(1):102-104. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20188560Haitz K, Ly A, Smith G.Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis.Cutis. 2019;103(1):38-42.Centers for Disease Control.Treatment for TB disease.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Brito AC, Oliveira CMM, Unger DA, et al.Cutaneous tuberculosis: epidemiological, clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic update.An Bras Dermatol. 2022;97(2):129-144. doi:10.1016/j.abd.2021.07.004Santos JB, Figueiredo AR, Ferraz CE, et al.Cutaneous tuberculosis: epidemiologic, etiopathogenic and clinical aspects - part I.An Bras Dermatol. 2014;89(2):219-228. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20142334Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Tuberculosis (TB): signs and symptoms.US Preventive Services Task Force, Mangione CM, Barry MJ, et al.Screening for Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Adults: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement.JAMA. 2023;329(17):1487-1494. doi:10.1001/jama.2023.4899Mello RB, Vale ECSD, Baeta IGR.Scrofuloderma: a diagnostic challenge.An Bras Dermatol. 2019;94(1):102-104. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20188560Haitz K, Ly A, Smith G.Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis.Cutis. 2019;103(1):38-42.Centers for Disease Control.Treatment for TB disease.

Brito AC, Oliveira CMM, Unger DA, et al.Cutaneous tuberculosis: epidemiological, clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic update.An Bras Dermatol. 2022;97(2):129-144. doi:10.1016/j.abd.2021.07.004

Santos JB, Figueiredo AR, Ferraz CE, et al.Cutaneous tuberculosis: epidemiologic, etiopathogenic and clinical aspects - part I.An Bras Dermatol. 2014;89(2):219-228. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20142334

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Tuberculosis (TB): signs and symptoms.

US Preventive Services Task Force, Mangione CM, Barry MJ, et al.Screening for Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Adults: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement.JAMA. 2023;329(17):1487-1494. doi:10.1001/jama.2023.4899

Mello RB, Vale ECSD, Baeta IGR.Scrofuloderma: a diagnostic challenge.An Bras Dermatol. 2019;94(1):102-104. doi:10.1590/abd1806-4841.20188560

Haitz K, Ly A, Smith G.Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis.Cutis. 2019;103(1):38-42.

Centers for Disease Control.Treatment for TB disease.

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