Sporotrichosis

What is Sporotrichosis?

Sporotrichosis is also known as Schenck's disease, rose gardener's disease. Sporotrichosis is chronic fungal infection of the skin which rarely affects joints, brain, lungs, joints caused by Sporothrix schenckii. It is more common in tropical and subtropical America. Sporotrichosis is not a contagious disease. The fungus found in soil, in hay, in sphagnum moss and in other plant materials and it enters the skin through small cuts from wires or pine needles. It is not transmitted from person to person.

Causes of Sporotrichosis

• Sporotrichosis is caused by the fungus Sporothrix schenckii
• Mold spores forced under the skin by sharp stick.
• Sporotrichosis may be caused by activities associated with landscaping, farming, gardening
  

Symptoms of Sporotrichosis

• Firm bump on the skin which can be red purple and pink in color.
• Ulcers

What are the treatments for Sporotrichosis?

• Give potassium iodide solution 3 times per day orally in droplet form. Normally 3 to 6 months are required for the treatment.
• Give Itraconazole (Sporanox) medicine for the infection in the joints for few moths upto a year.
• Surgery-for bone infection, cavitatory nodules in the lungs surgery is required.
• Itraconazole (Sporanox) and fluconazole, Amphotericin B-These are 2 anti fungal medicines available.Some patients may suffer with the side effects of Amphotericin B, so they may be given combination of 5-fluorocytosine and Amphotericin.