title: Mycotic infections. Effective management of conditions involving the skin, hair, and nails.
abstract: Superficial mycotic infections of the skin, hair, or nails are recurring presentations in the geriatric primary care setting. The most common infections are those caused by dermatophytes. The genus Trichophyton gives rise to most of the tinea dermatophytoses, including tinea capitis, tinea pedis, and tinea unguium (onychomycosis). Part of the diagnostic challenge lies in distinguishing the mycotic lesions from those caused by cutaneous diseases such as psoriasis, eczema, dyshidrosis, and contact dermatitis. Because environmental conditions play a major role in fungal infection onset, clinical management should include patient education about conditions conducive to fungal propagation. Oral agents are the primary mode of treatment for fungal infections of the scalp and nails, whereas topical treatments are frontline agents for other superficial skin conditions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA.
authors.forename: A O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Goldstein
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Ives
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Goldstein
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003881:Dermatomycoses / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006201:Hair Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009260:Nail Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D014005:Tinea / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000635:transmission
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents