title: Male genital dermatophytosis - clinical features and the effects of the misuse of topical steroids and steroid combinations - an alarming problem in India.
abstract: Genital dermatophytosis has been considered rare by most Western authorities. However, to the contrary, Indian reports have shown a higher prevalence of genital dermatophytosis due to warm and humid climate, overcrowding and lack of hygiene. A review is presented for 24 cases of male genital dermatophytosis occurring in patients suffering from tinea cruris in India who have been randomly applying various broad-spectrum steroid antifungal and antibacterial creams containing one or more antifungal and antibiotic in addition to potent corticosteroids, mainly clobetasol propionate. This is such a common phenomenon that Indian dermatologists are witnessing an epidemic of sorts of steroid-modified dermatophytosis and we hereby share various clinical presentations of dermatophytosis of penis and/or scrotum in patients with tinea cruris who have been applying the above-mentioned creams. The review also discusses the bleak scenario that prevails in India regarding the drug regulatory affairs that allow such dangerous and irrational combinations that are sold over the counter because of misinterpretation of the law and lax implementation of existing laws.
authors.affiliation: Consultant Dermatologist, Nirvana Skin Clinic, Vadodara, India. skindiaverma@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Shyam B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Verma
authors.affiliation: Consultant Dermatologist, Anand Polyclinic, Mumbai, India.
authors.forename: Resham
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vasani
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000328:Adult; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002990:Clobetasol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005832:Genital Diseases, Male / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010413:Penis / Q000382:microbiology; D063487:Prescription Drug Misuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D012611:Scrotum / Q000382:microbiology; D013256:Steroids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014005:Tinea / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000891:Anti-Infective Agents, Local; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D013256:Steroids; D002990:Clobetasol
keywords: Genital dermatophytosis; penis; scrotum; tinea incognito