Tinea Nigra

The Basics

Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate пїЅ пїЅ

What is tinea nigra? " пїЅ Tinea nigra is a skin infection that causes tan, brown, or black patches on the skin. It is caused by a fungus. пїЅ пїЅ

Tinea nigra is most common in areas where the weather is hot and humid. People whose hands or feet sweat a lot are more likely to get it. This is because the fungus that causes tinea nigra grows best in warm, wet places. пїЅ пїЅ

Tinea nigra is not "contagious. " пїЅ That means it does not usually spread from one person to another. пїЅ пїЅ

What are the symptoms of tinea nigra? " пїЅ The main symptom is tan, brown, or black patches on the skin. These are most common on certain body parts, such as: пїЅ пїЅ

Palm or back of the hand " пїЅ This usually happens in just one hand.
Bottom of the foot
Arms or legs
Neck
Chest, back, or belly

The brown or black patches might look darker around the edges. They do not usually itch, hurt, or cause any other symptoms. пїЅ пїЅ

Should I see a doctor or nurse? " пїЅ Tinea nigra is not dangerous. But a type of skin cancer called "melanoma " пїЅ can also cause brown or black spots on the skin. If you get a new brown or black spot on your skin, ask your doctor or nurse to check it. пїЅ пїЅ

Is there a test for tinea nigra? " пїЅ Yes. After learning about your symptoms and doing an exam, your doctor or nurse will probably scrape one of the brown or black patches. Then he or she will look at the scrapings under a microscope. This test does not usually hurt. пїЅ пїЅ

If you have tinea nigra, the doctor or nurse will see the fungus that causes it in the scrapings from your skin. He or she might also use a special light to look at your skin. пїЅ пїЅ

How is tinea nigra treated? " пїЅ The doctor or nurse can prescribe a cream or ointment to put on your skin. This usually makes tinea nigra go away. пїЅ пїЅ

If the cream or ointment does not work, the doctor or nurse can prescribe medicine you take by mouth. This medicine kills the fungus that causes tinea nigra. пїЅ пїЅ

All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. пїЅ пїЅ

This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. пїЅ пїЅ

Topic 83426 Version 2.0 пїЅ пїЅ

Release: 22.8 - C22.208 пїЅ пїЅ

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Tinea Nigra

The Basics

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

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