hello
I’ve been dealing with a fungal infection for some time now, but it doesn’t seem to be responding to treatment. I’ve tried both allopathic and homeopathic options, but the infection persists and appears resistant.
What steps should I consider next — is it worth going for culture/sensitivity testing, or are there newer antifungal approaches I should be aware of
Pls help!
Lee
Have you perforned the fungus culture? That can help you pick up a suitable Antifungal to which this is sensitive.
Nishan1618
I have performed the Antibiotic sensitivity culture in the past but it was negative for growth. I have then used set of prescription medications; all of which worked transiently.
Steroid therapy both oral and ectopic ointments worked well but antifungals had limited effect.
Im now actually concerned if it’s Fungal or of different origin like bacteria or anything else?
Leemark
If the culture was negative for Fungal growth, it may be of altogether different origin. It may have gender specificity too.
If you’re a female, and we remove mechanical irritation and PIP from the equation, and the protruding lesions responded to oral steroids, then we’re looking squarely at a hormonally triggered, immune-modulated dermatitis — something akin to a progesterone hypersensitivity reaction (a rare but well-documented condition that high-dose exogenous progesterone support). Can you elaborate further on the details and provide more information?
Navneet
Thanks for insight. It is periodic flare resembling the Tinea cruris (as per observation by my Skin Specialist). It went up after the exogenous Progesterone support I had to take during my previous pregnancy.
Lesions are primarily on my inner wrist, back of knee and finger joints on my hands. (This actually was the reason why I initially ignored Hormone mediation because these areas don’t fall in Hormone sensitive zones).
Can you diagnose with this information? Should I attach some pictures?
Hi. Can Anyone provide further insights?
Leemark
Key facts from your description point towards a non fungal infection.
Lesion looks like tinea (ringworm): circular, itchy, maybe with a border.
Antifungals failed (fluconazole, terbinafine).
Steroids worked rapidly.
Salicylic acid (keratolytic) seems to contain it.
This combination strongly suggests it’s not dermatophyte infection, but a fungal-mimicking inflammatory dermatosis — often autoimmune or hormonally triggered eczema/dermatitis, sometimes called a “tinea incognito look-alike.”
You’re seeing an elegant (and tricky) example of post-hormonal auto-inflammatory dermatitis masquerading as infection — steroids worked because the immune system, not fungus, was the culprit.
It could also be
Nummular eczema — coin-shaped, itchy, dry plaques that mimic ringworm; worsened by hormones and dry skin.
Autoimmune “psoriasiform” reaction — salicylic acid helps here by de-scaling, not by antifungal action.
Thanks Argerine/ Gaganjot
Im using a steroid based ectopic anti inflammatory with Salicyclic acid. It has brought immediate relief after using for a week.