title: Clinico-epidemiological study of tinea incognito with microbiological correlation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Tinea incognito is a dermatophytic infection with a clinical presentation that is modified due to previous treatment with topical or systemic steroids, as well as topical immunomodulators. It tends to mimic other dermatological conditions.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the various clinical manifestations, sites, predisposing factors and causative agents of tinea incognito.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective observational study was done on one hundred clinically suspected cases of tinea incognito, with a history of topical or systemic steroid use for a period of at least six weeks. They were subject to direct microscopy and fungal culture, and re-evaluated at the end of the third and sixth week.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eczema-like conditions were the most common clinical manifestation, followed by inflammatory, autoimmune and infective conditions. The face was the most commonly affected site. Direct microscopy was positive in 85% of cases, and fungal culture was positive in 63% of cases. Trichophyton rubrum was the most common species isolated. Pharmacists were responsible for 78% of tinea incognito cases, and betamethasone dipropionate was the most common drug used.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As this was a hospital outpatient-based study, cases with severe systemic problems could have attended other departments. Cases involving the hair and nails were negligible.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tinea incognito is a commonly encountered, yet poorly reported entity in the study population. An increased level of awareness and vigilance on the sale of steroid containing compounds will help control this dermatological condition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Medical College and Hospital, Barpeta, Assam, India.
authors.forename: Bornali
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dutta
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Medical College and Hospital, Barpeta, Assam, India.
authors.forename: Elmy Samsul
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Rasul
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Medical College and Hospital, Barpeta, Assam, India.
authors.forename: Bobita
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Boro
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014005:Tinea / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D055815:Young Adult