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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
Fungus infection skin effecting entire family
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
Welcome to the DERMATOLOGY FORUM! Questions in this forum are answered by Dermatologists from St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital, under the direction of Andrew Alexis, M.D., M.P.H.
Fungus infection skin effecting entire family
by motor, Aug 15, 2002 12:00AM
Recently my son developed a spot on his leg. This was about dime size, raised and red. No itching, burning or pain. With in 3 days he had over 24 spots. My daughter, myself and my husband all developed these spots. They are located on the limbs, abdomen and neck. We went to our primary care doctor and was put on clotrimazole 1% cream. I was told it was a fungal infection. 3 days later I noticed that my dog had 2 spots on his noes and took him to the vet. The vet said it was RingWorm Fungus and we put the dog on treatment. I then seen a Dermatoligist who looked at it under a microscope and said it was fungal but not reingworm. There was a sample sent off to be cultured. (but I was on treatment for 7 days so they dont know if anything will show). The dermatoligist put me on Ketoconazole 2% cream and lamisol. The rest of the family also was put on Ketoconazole. We aggesive fungus one she had not seen before. I have 12 spots. The spots on my legs I got after shaving and are very red. These spots due become scaley at times. I have not noticed any drainage. My 2 cousins and neighbor have also gotten the spots as well. I also heard that a few others around town have been diagnosed with a fungus but not sure if this is the same thing. Have you heard of this before? What is the contagious period? Are we still contangious? Does this type of fugus effect any other part of the body? Are there any other types of health risk with this? Were could we have gotten this from? And how do we prevent this from spreading more? Again the spots range in size from the size of a dime to half that size. none are bigger. They are red, slightly raised at the edges. They are scaley at times. They dont hurt, itch etc. My son and daughter we also put on Zertec. We live in a wooded area. Have a dog and a bird. Our house is 8 years old. The spots are appearing to go away on my son and daughter but my seem to be staying the same or getting a little worse. They affect both sides of the body. This was seen in the office by the drematologist under the microcope and confirmed to be a fungus, but unsure of what type. I consulted 3 doctors all of which have not seen anything like this before. The symptoms appeared on August 2 or 3. We have no other symptom accosiated with this Thank you
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Aug 15, 2002 12:00AM
, Aug 15, 2002 12:00AM
"Rinworm" is the lay term for skin fungus--no worms involved.
If your family's rashes are all related--likely but not certain--the probable cause would be fungus caught from the dog. Most fungus comes from soil, not pets, but animal fungi can be more inflamed and harder to treat.
Harder, but certainly not impossible.
First, each of you (and the dog) should have scrapings and cultures done to establish the diagnosis.
If strong, prescription antifungal creams don;t clear things up, oral medications (Lamisil, griseofulvin) are safe and effective.
Skin fungus has no internal health consequences. Once you get rid of it, and you will, it'll just be a memory.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
If your family's rashes are all related--likely but not certain--the probable cause would be fungus caught from the dog. Most fungus comes from soil, not pets, but animal fungi can be more inflamed and harder to treat.
Harder, but certainly not impossible.
First, each of you (and the dog) should have scrapings and cultures done to establish the diagnosis.
If strong, prescription antifungal creams don;t clear things up, oral medications (Lamisil, griseofulvin) are safe and effective.
Skin fungus has no internal health consequences. Once you get rid of it, and you will, it'll just be a memory.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
Member Comments (2)
by riajoy520, Sep 05, 2002 12:00AM
I have had a similiar fungus infection of unknown origin as well, but it has not spread to my kids. I don't know if this is possible but I am almost certain I got this from contact with someone's saliva. I know it sounds crazy but let me explain. Last summer I was involved with someone. During an intimate moment, he deeply kissed my neck and also my forearm (opposite the elbow). Right after that a circular red raised rash appeared in both places where he had contact. At times it was itchy, especially after coming in contact with sweat. It would then get a ashy dry oI thought nothing of it, and it was thought to be attributed to using a public pool. Relationship ended a short time later. Fast forward to this summer. Reconnected with same person. Same set of circumstances and BOOM same darn rash now on both sides of the neck and both arms. What gives? On an upnote - after no success with anti fungal cremes, I used a product called No Miss Anti Fungal liquid drops (used by nail salons) it contains Miconizole and applied it with the dropper and a Q-tip directly to the rash. After it dried, I used the oil contained in a Phosphadityl Choline capsule over the area. The rash is finally starting to clearing up - rapidly!
