Tinea imbricata (also known in parts of Indonesia as “Kaskado”) is a superficial fungal infection of the skin limited to southwest Polynesia, Melanesia, Southeast Asia, India, and Central America.
The skin lesions, often itchy, occur mainly in the torso and limbs. The name ''tinea imbricata'' is derived from the Latin for "tiled" (''imbricatus'') since the lesions are often lamellar.
The lesions are often treated with
griseofulvin
Griseofulvin is an antifungal medication used to treat a number of types of dermatophytoses (ringworm). This includes fungal infections of the nails and scalp, as well as the skin when antifungal creams have not worked. It is taken by mouth.
C ...
or
terbinafine
Terbinafine, sold under the brand name Lamisil among others, is an antifungal medication used to treat pityriasis versicolor, fungal nail infections, and ringworm including jock itch and athlete's foot. It is either taken by mouth or applied to ...
.
The condition has also become known as "Tokelau" - the name apparently references the islands of
Tokelau
Tokelau (; ; known previously as the Union Islands, and, until 1976, known officially as the Tokelau Islands) is a dependent territory of New Zealand in the southern Pacific Ocean. It consists of three tropical coral atolls: Atafu, Nukunonu, a ...
in the South Pacific.
The risk of developing tinea imbricata is probably inherited as an autosomal recessive trait.
Tinea imbricata is associated with ''
Trichophyton concentricum''.
Tinea pseudoimbricata
The term "tinea pseudoimbricata" synonymous with "tinea indecisiva", was coined to describe a form of tinea mimicking the concentric rings of tinea imbricata, but is caused by local or systemic immunosuppression. Since then, 3 cases of
Trichophyton tonsurans
''Trichophyton tonsurans'' is a fungus in the family Arthrodermataceae that causes ringworm infection of the scalp. It was first recognized by David Gruby in 1844. Isolates are characterized as the "–" or negative mating type of the '' Arthrode ...
have been associated with it, as well as
Trichophyton rubrum
''Trichophyton rubrum'' is a dermatophytic fungus in the phylum Ascomycota. It is an exclusively clonal, anthropophilic saprotroph that colonizes the upper layers of dead skin, and is the most common cause of athlete's foot, fungal infectio ...
which can trigger mycosis fungoides.
Mixed infections with
scabies have been described to produce tinea pseudoimbricata.
As of 2015 in India, corticosteroid–antifungal–antibacterial combinations sold as
over-the-counter drug
Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs are medicines sold directly to a consumer without a requirement for a prescription from a healthcare professional, as opposed to prescription drugs, which may be supplied only to consumers possessing a valid prescr ...
have led to an increase in chronic, recurrent, difficult to treat fungal infections of the skin, including tinea pseudoimbricata.
See also
*
Skin lesion
A skin condition, also known as cutaneous condition, is any medical condition that affects the integumentary system—the organ system that encloses the body and includes skin, nails, and related muscle and glands. The major function of th ...
*
List of cutaneous conditions
References
External links
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Mycosis-related cutaneous conditions