BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuSkin lesion of blastomycosisA skin lesion of blastomycosis is a symptom of an infection with the fungus Blastomyces dermatitidis. The skin becomes infected as the fungus spreads throughout the body. Another form of blastomycosis is only on the skin and usually gets better on its own with time. This article deals with the more widespread form of the infection. Causes Blastomycosis is a rare fungal infection. It is most often found in:BlastomycosisBlastomycosis is an infection caused by breathing in the Blastomyces dermatitidis fungus. This fungus is found in decaying wood and soil.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Africa Canada, around the Great Lakes South central and north central United States India Israel Saudi Arabia A person gets infected by breathing in particles of the fungus that are found in moist soil, especially where there is rotting vegetation. People with immune system disorders are at higher risk for this infection, though healthy people can also develop this disease.The fungus enters the body through the lungs and infects them. In some people, the fungus then spreads (disseminates) to other areas of the body. The infection may affect the skin, bones and joints, genitals and urinary tract, and other systems. Skin symptoms are a sign of widespread (disseminated) blastomycosis. Symptoms In many people, skin symptoms develop when the infection spreads beyond their lungs.Papules, pustules, or nodules are most frequently found on exposed body areas.PapulesA papule is a solid or cystic (may be fluid filled) raised spot on the skin that is less than 0. 39 inches (in) or 1 centimeter (cm) wide. It is a t...Read Article Now Book Mark Article PustulesPustules are small, inflamed, pus-filled, blister-like sores (lesions) on the skin surface.Read Article Now Book Mark Article NodulesSkin nodules are solid or cystic raised bumps in the skin that are wider than 0. 39 inches (in) or 1 centimeter (cm), but less than 0. 79 in (2 cm). ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article They may look like warts or ulcers. UlcersAn ulcer is a crater-like sore on the skin or mucous membrane. Ulcers form when the top layers of skin or tissue have been removed. They can occur ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article They are usually painless. They may vary from gray to violet in color.The pustules may:Form ulcers Bleed easily Occur in the nose or mouthOver time, these skin lesions can lead to scarring and loss of skin color (pigment). Exams and Tests Your health care provider will examine your skin and ask about symptoms.The infection is diagnosed by identifying the fungus in a culture taken from a skin lesion. This usually requires a skin biopsy.Skin biopsyA skin lesion biopsy is when a small amount of skin is removed so it can be examined under a microscope. The skin is tested to look for skin conditi...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment This infection is treated with antifungal medicines such as amphotericin B, itraconazole, voriconazole, or fluconazole. Either oral or intravenous (directly in the vein) medicines are used, depending on the medicine and stage of the disease.IntravenousIntravenous means "within a vein. " Most often it refers to giving medicines or fluids through a needle or tube inserted into a vein. This allows th...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Outlook (Prognosis) How well you do depends on the form of blastomycosis and on your immune system. People with a suppressed immune system may need long-term treatment to prevent symptoms from coming back. Possible Complications Complications may include:Abscesses (pockets of pus) AbscessesAn abscess is a collection of pus in any part of the body. In most cases, the area around an abscess is swollen and inflamed.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Another (secondary) skin infection caused by bacteria Complications related to medicines (for instance, amphotericin B can have severe side effects) Spontaneously draining nodules Severe body-wide infection and death When to Contact a Medical Professional Some of the skin problems caused by blastomycosis can be similar to skin problems caused by other illnesses. Tell your provider if you develop any worrisome skin problems.Open ReferencesReferencesElewski BE, Hughey LC, Hunt KM, Hay RJ. Fungal diseases. In: Bolognia JL, Schaffer JV, Cerroni L, eds. Dermatology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 77.Gauthier GM, Klein BS. Blastomycosis. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 264.Thompson GR, Miceli MH. Endemic mycoses. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 308.AllVideoImagesTogRelated Information Blastomycosis(Condition) Review Date: 10/13/2024 Reviewed By: Ramin Fathi, MD, FAAD, Director, Phoenix Surgical Dermatology Group, Phoenix, AZ. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. 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Skin lesion of blastomycosisA skin lesion of blastomycosis is a symptom of an infection with the fungus Blastomyces dermatitidis. The skin becomes infected as the fungus spreads throughout the body. Another form of blastomycosis is only on the skin and usually gets better on its own with time. This article deals with the more widespread form of the infection. Causes Blastomycosis is a rare fungal infection. It is most often found in:BlastomycosisBlastomycosis is an infection caused by breathing in the Blastomyces dermatitidis fungus. This fungus is found in decaying wood and soil.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Africa Canada, around the Great Lakes South central and north central United States India Israel Saudi Arabia A person gets infected by breathing in particles of the fungus that are found in moist soil, especially where there is rotting vegetation. People with immune system disorders are at higher risk for this infection, though healthy people can also develop this disease.The fungus enters the body through the lungs and infects them. In some people, the fungus then spreads (disseminates) to other areas of the body. The infection may affect the skin, bones and joints, genitals and urinary tract, and other systems. Skin symptoms are a sign of widespread (disseminated) blastomycosis. Symptoms In many people, skin symptoms develop when the infection spreads beyond their lungs.Papules, pustules, or nodules are most frequently found on exposed body areas.PapulesA papule is a solid or cystic (may be fluid filled) raised spot on the skin that is less than 0. 39 inches (in) or 1 centimeter (cm) wide. It is a t...Read Article Now Book Mark Article PustulesPustules are small, inflamed, pus-filled, blister-like sores (lesions) on the skin surface.Read Article Now Book Mark Article NodulesSkin nodules are solid or cystic raised bumps in the skin that are wider than 0. 39 inches (in) or 1 centimeter (cm), but less than 0. 79 in (2 cm). ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article They may look like warts or ulcers. UlcersAn ulcer is a crater-like sore on the skin or mucous membrane. Ulcers form when the top layers of skin or tissue have been removed. They can occur ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article They are usually painless. They may vary from gray to violet in color.The pustules may:Form ulcers Bleed easily Occur in the nose or mouthOver time, these skin lesions can lead to scarring and loss of skin color (pigment). Exams and Tests Your health care provider will examine your skin and ask about symptoms.The infection is diagnosed by identifying the fungus in a culture taken from a skin lesion. This usually requires a skin biopsy.Skin biopsyA skin lesion biopsy is when a small amount of skin is removed so it can be examined under a microscope. The skin is tested to look for skin conditi...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Treatment This infection is treated with antifungal medicines such as amphotericin B, itraconazole, voriconazole, or fluconazole. Either oral or intravenous (directly in the vein) medicines are used, depending on the medicine and stage of the disease.IntravenousIntravenous means "within a vein. " Most often it refers to giving medicines or fluids through a needle or tube inserted into a vein. This allows th...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Outlook (Prognosis) How well you do depends on the form of blastomycosis and on your immune system. People with a suppressed immune system may need long-term treatment to prevent symptoms from coming back. Possible Complications Complications may include:Abscesses (pockets of pus) AbscessesAn abscess is a collection of pus in any part of the body. In most cases, the area around an abscess is swollen and inflamed.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Another (secondary) skin infection caused by bacteria Complications related to medicines (for instance, amphotericin B can have severe side effects) Spontaneously draining nodules Severe body-wide infection and death When to Contact a Medical Professional Some of the skin problems caused by blastomycosis can be similar to skin problems caused by other illnesses. Tell your provider if you develop any worrisome skin problems.Open ReferencesReferencesElewski BE, Hughey LC, Hunt KM, Hay RJ. Fungal diseases. In: Bolognia JL, Schaffer JV, Cerroni L, eds. Dermatology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 77.Gauthier GM, Klein BS. Blastomycosis. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 264.Thompson GR, Miceli MH. Endemic mycoses. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 308.
