Skin lesion of coccidioidomycosis

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Erythema nodosum on the foot

Skin lesions of coccidioidomycosis are a symptom of infection with the Coccidioides immitis fungus.

This article discusses skin lesions due to coccidioidomycosis. For more general information about this disease, see: Coccidioidomycosis

Coccidioidomycosis is a fungal infection most commonly seen in the desert regions of the southwestern United States, and in Central and South America. You get it by breathing in fungal particles (called spores) found in infected soil. The infection starts in the lungs.

After the lungs are infected, the fungus may spread to other tissues including the skin. The skin rash, or skin lesions, include erythema nodosum or erythema multiforme. They are thought to be caused by an immune response to the infection, rather than by the fungus itself.

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Skin lesions are a sign of widespread (disseminated) fungal disease. Those who are at higher risk of developing widespread infection include:

• People of Native American, African, or Philippine descent
• Those with weakened immune systems due to AIDS, diabetes, or medications that suppress the immune system

Review Date: 09/15/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).