Frequently Asked Questions
What
is sporotrichosis?
Sporotrichosis is a fungal infection caused by a fungus called
Sporothrix schenckii. It usually infects the skin.
Who
gets sporotrichosis?
Persons handling thorny plants, sphagnum moss, or baled hay are
at increased risk of getting sporotrichosis. Outbreaks have occurred
among nursery workers handling sphagnum moss, rose gardeners,
children playing on baled hay, and greenhouse workers handling
bayberry thorns contaminated by the fungus. A number of cases
have recently occurred among nursery workers, especially workers
handling sphagnum moss topiaries.
How
is the fungus spread?
The fungus can be found in sphagnum moss, in hay, in other plant
materials, and in the soil. It enters the skin through small cuts
or punctures from thorns, barbs, pine needles, or wires. It is
not spread from person to person.
What
are the symptoms of sporotrichosis?
The first symptom is usually a small painless bump resembling
an insect bite. It can be red, pink, or purple in color. The bump
(nodule) usually appears on the finger, hand, or arm where the
fungus first enters through a break on the skin. This is followed
by one or more additional bumps or nodules which open and may
resemble boils. Eventually lesions look like open sores (ulcerations)
and are very slow to heal. The infection can spread to other areas
of
the body.
Does
sporotrichosis involve any other organs besides the skin?
The majority of infections are limited to the skin. Cases of joint,
lung, and central nervous system infection have occurred but are
very rare. Usually they occur only in persons with previous disorders
of the immune system.
How
soon do symptoms appear?
The first nodule may appear any time from 1 to 12 weeks after
exposure to the fungus. Usually the nodules are visible within
3 weeks after the fungus enters the skin.
How
is sporotrichosis diagnosed?
Sporotrichosis can be confirmed when a doctor obtains a swab or
a biopsy of a freshly opened skin nodule and submits it to a laboratory
for fungal culture.
If I have symptoms should I see my doctor?
Yes. It is important for the diagnosis to be confirmed by a doctor
so that proper treatment can be provided.
How
is sporotrichosis treated?
Sporotrichosis is generally treated with potassium iodide, taken
by mouth in droplet form. A new drug, called itraconazole (Sporanox),
is available for treatment, but experience with this drug is still
limited. Treatment is often extended over a number of weeks, until
the skin lesions are completely healed.
How
can sporotrichosis be prevented?
Control measures include wearing gloves and long sleeves when
handling wires, rose bushes, hay bales, conifer (pine) seedlings,
or other materials that may cause minor skin breaks. It is also
advisable to avoid skin contact with sphagnum moss. Moss has been
implicated as a source of the fungus in a number of outbreaks.
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