Author
Home > Health > What is the Difference Between Cutaneous and Subcutaneous Mycoses?

Guilherme Mazui

•3 minutes to read

What is the Difference Between Cutaneous and Subcutaneous Mycoses?

🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚

The main difference between cutaneous and subcutaneous mycoses lies in the depth of the infection in the skin.

  • Cutaneous mycoses are superficial infections that affect the epidermis, hair, and nails, generally causing little or no inflammation. Common cutaneous mycoses include tineas caused by dermatophytes of the genera Trichophyton, Epidermophyton, and Microsporum. Examples of cutaneous mycoses are tinea capitis, tinea corporis (ringworm), tinea cruris (jock itch), and tinea pedis (athlete's foot).
  • Subcutaneous mycoses penetrate deeper into the skin, infecting the dermis and underlying tissues. These infections usually result from a cut or puncture wound to the skin and can spread from the skin to deeper tissues. Sporotrichosis, chromoblastomycosis, and mycetoma are examples of subcutaneous mycoses.

In summary, cutaneous mycoses are superficial infections affecting the surface layers of the skin, hair, and nails, while subcutaneous mycoses are deeper infections that affect the dermis and underlying tissues.

On this page
  • What is the Difference Between Cutaneous and Subcutaneous Mycoses?
  • Comparative Table: Cutaneous vs Subcutaneous Mycoses

    • Comparative Table: Cutaneous vs Subcutaneous Mycoses

    Cutaneous and subcutaneous mycoses are fungal infections that affect different layers of the skin and underlying tissues. Here is a table summarizing the differences between the two:

    Feature Cutaneous Mycoses Subcutaneous Mycoses
    Definition Superficial fungal infections affecting the skin, hair, and nails Localized infections of the skin and underlying tissue
    Inflammation May cause skin redness and inflammation Less inflammation than cutaneous mycoses
    Causative Organisms Dermatophytes (Trichophyton, Epidermophyton, and Microsporum), yeasts (Candida) and other non-dermatophytic fungi Various fungi, including dematiaceous fungi and filamentous fungi
    Treatment Antifungal medications Antifungal medications, surgical intervention in some cases
    Prevention Good hygiene and proper wound care Proper wound care and avoiding exposure to fungi

    Examples of cutaneous mycoses include tineas (ringworm) caused by dermatophytes and cutaneous candidiasis. Subcutaneous mycoses can involve chromoblastomycosis, mycetoma, and sporotrichosis.

    Read more:

    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.