Dermatophytes cause superficial skin infections of skin, nail and hair known as dermatophytosis – also known as “ring worm” infection. 

Superficial mycosis, which had been responsive to treatment earlier, has become anepidemic of recurrent and chronic dermatophytosis in India. Atypical presentations, poor therapy response, chronic disease, and recurrent infections are hallmarks of this epidemic. One of the major causative factors for development of widespread disease is topical steroid misuse, which has led to persistence and atypicality of the infection. Other contributing factors are related to the fungus, host, environment and the antifungal drug used. 

The tinea epidemic in India negatively impactsthe quality of life of patients and has also renderedeconomic burden to affected families. Physicians treating such infections should be aware of all aspects of the disease and comprehensively treat such infections with appropriate pharmacological therapy and counseling.

Source: Archives of Medicine & Health Sciences. 2019;7:112-7