Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesSymptoms and AppearanceIs It Contagious?DiagnosisTreatmentComplicationsWhen to See a Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Symptoms and Appearance
Is It Contagious?
Diagnosis
Treatment
Complications
When to See a Provider
Tinea nigra is a superficial fungalinfection affecting the epidermis, or top layer, of skin. This condition is uncommon. However, it can be confused withother conditions, such as melanoma, which must be ruled out.This article will discuss the symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of tinea nigra.
Reproduced with permission from ©DermNet and ©Te Whatu Ora Waikatowww.dermnetnz.org2023.
Causes of Tinea Nigra
Hortaea werneckii, a black mold found in soil, is the cause of tinea nigra. Additionally, some conditions can increase its likelihood, including:
The mold likes salt and warmth, which is why it is found mostly in places where those factors are plentiful. The mold can enter the body through broken skin or with trauma. It produces a black pigment that is much like the melanin pigment in human skin.
Tinea Nigra Symptoms and Appearance
Symptoms of tinea nigra include:
Is Tinea Nigra Infection Contagious?
Tinea nigra is not transmitted from person to person.It is more likely to occur when broken skin is exposed to dirt or soil.
Diagnosing Tinea Nigra
Since tinea nigra is uncommon and mimics other more common disorders, it can be mistaken for conditions like:
To diagnose tinea nigra, a healthcare provider might do the following:
Although common in subtropical areas such as Central America and South America, tinea nigra is now also appearing in areas of more temperate climates, including the United Kingdom, France, Spain, and the United States.
Treating Tinea Nigra
Tinea nigra is treated with:
Symptoms can take two to four weeks to clear up when treated with antifungals.The condition rarely goes away without treatment.
Complications of Tinea Nigra
Tinea nigra is mostly a cosmetic disorder. Complications are rare in healthy people. Complications of tinea nigra include:
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Summary
You should see a healthcare provider when you have symptoms of tinea nigra as it can mimic melanoma, which must be ruled out. Diagnosing tinea nigra usually involves a dermoscopic examination, a skin scraping examination, and sometimes a skin biopsy.
Tinea nigra can be treated with antifungal creams or exfoliants. Sometimes, iodine solutions can also treat the skin condition.
11 Sources
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