Tinea InVersicolor: A Rare Distribution of a Common Eruption

Erythrasma: Pathogenesis and Diagnostic Challenges

Erythrasma is a common chronic superficial bacterial infection caused by Corynebacterium minutissimum, a lipophilic, diphtheroid, filamentous, gram-positive bacillus and normal inhabitant of the skin flora. Commonly found in intertriginous spaces, this bacterium releases a porphyrin that causes lesions to fluoresce under a Wood's lamp, aiding diagnosis. Despite its clinical relevance, the pathogenesis remains understudied. We present a case of a 43-year-old woman with a history of hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and obesity who exhibited an erythematous eczematous plaque with characteristic coral-red fluorescence under Wood's lamp. The diagnosis was confirmed through negative skin scrapings for candidiasis and dermatophytosis. A two-week course of topical clindamycin resulted in complete resolution. Given the condition's frequent coexistence with other pathologies, accurate diagnosis and effective treatment are essential. Topical treatments are usually more convenient. The hypothesis that hydrophobic and lipophilic interactions in intertriginous areas contribute to the pathogenesis of erythrasma requires further experimental validation.

Atypical and Unpredictable Superficial Mycosis Presentations: A Narrative Review

While typically exhibiting characteristic features, fungal infections can sometimes present in an unusual context, having improbable localization (eyelid, face, or joint); mimicking other skin diseases such as eczema, psoriasis, or mycosis fungoides; and appearing with unexpected color, shape, or distribution. The emergence of such a challenging clinical picture is attributed to the complex interplay of host characteristics (hygiene and aging population), environment (climate change), advances in medical procedures, and agent factors (fungal resistance and species emergence). We aim to provide a better understanding of unusual epidemiological contexts and atypical manifestations of fungal superficial diseases, knowing that there is no pre-established clinical guide for these conditions. Thus, a literature examination was performed to provide a comprehensive analysis on rare and atypical superficial mycosis as well as an update on certain fungal clinical manifestations and their significance. The research and standard data extraction were performed using PubMed, Medline, Scopus, and EMBASE databases, and a total of 222 articles were identified. This review covers published research findings for the past six months.

A Review on Antifungal Efficiency of Plant Extracts Entrenched Polysaccharide-Based Nanohydrogels

Human skin acts as a physical barrier; however, sometimes the skin gets infected by fungi, which becomes more severe if the infection occurs on the third layer of the skin. Azole derivative-based antifungal creams, liquids, or sprays are available to treat fungal infections; however, these formulations show various side effects on the application site. Over the past few years, herbal extracts and various essential oils have shown effective antifungal activity. Additionally, autoxidation and epimerization are significant problems with the direct use of herbal extracts. Hence, to overcome these obstacles, polysaccharide-based nanohydrogels embedded with natural plant extracts and oils have become the primary choice of pharmaceutical scientists. These gels protect plant-based bioactive compounds and are effective delivery agents because they release multiple bioactive compounds in the targeted area. Nanohydrogels can be applied to infected areas, and due to their contagious nature and penetration power, they get directly absorbed through the skin, quickly reaching the skin's third layer and effectively reducing the fungal infection. In this review, we explain various skin fungal infections, possible treatments, and the effective utilization of plant extract and oil-embedded polysaccharide-based nanohydrogels.