Sporotrichosis

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Sporotrichosis on the arm

Sporotrichosis on the forearm

Sporotrichosis on the hand and arm

The skin infection is usually treated with an antifungal medicine called itraconazole. It is taken by mouth and continued for 2 to 4 weeks after the skin lesions have cleared. You may have to take the medicine for 3 to 6 months.

Fluconazole is used in patients who do not respond to itraconazole. Systemic or disseminated infection is often treated with amphotericin B, or sometimes itraconazole. Therapy for systemic disease can last up to 12 months.

With treatment, full recovery can be expected. Disseminated sporotrichosis is more difficult to treat and requires chemotherapy drugs. Disseminated sporotrichosis can be life-threatening for people with a compromised immune system.

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In people with a normal immune system:

• Discomfort
• Secondary skin infections (such as staph or strep)

In people who are immunosuppressed:

• Arthritis
• Bone infection
• Complications from medications -- amphotericin B can have serious side effects
• Lung and breathing problems (such as pneumonia)
• Meningitis
• Widespread (disseminated) disease

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you develop persistent skin lumps or skin ulcers. If you know that you have been exposed to vegetation, mention this to your health care provider.

Review Date: 05/25/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Jatin M. Vyas, PHD, MD, 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).