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. The 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 raised spot on the skin that is less than 1 centimeter (cm) wide. It is a type of skin lesion.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 1 centimeter (cm), but less than 2 cm.Read Article Now Book Mark Article They may look like warts or ulcers. 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 The 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 drugs such as amphotericin B, itraconazole, voriconazole, or fluconazole. Either oral or intravenous (directly in the vein) drugs are used, depending on the drug and stage of the disease. 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) 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 ReferencesReferencesEmbil JM, Vinh DC. Blastomycosis. In: Kellerman RD, Rakel DP, eds. Conn's Current Therapy 2022. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:872-876.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.Kauffman CA, Galgiani JN, R George T. Endemic mycoses. In: Goldman L, Shafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 316.AllVideoImagesTogRelated Information Blastomycosis(Condition) Review Date: 11/18/2022 Reviewed By: Elika Hoss, MD, Assistant Professor of Dermatology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. 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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. The 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 raised spot on the skin that is less than 1 centimeter (cm) wide. It is a type of skin lesion.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 1 centimeter (cm), but less than 2 cm.Read Article Now Book Mark Article They may look like warts or ulcers. 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 The 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 drugs such as amphotericin B, itraconazole, voriconazole, or fluconazole. Either oral or intravenous (directly in the vein) drugs are used, depending on the drug and stage of the disease. 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) 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 ReferencesReferencesEmbil JM, Vinh DC. Blastomycosis. In: Kellerman RD, Rakel DP, eds. Conn's Current Therapy 2022. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:872-876.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.Kauffman CA, Galgiani JN, R George T. Endemic mycoses. In: Goldman L, Shafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 316.