Tinea Incognito

We performed a systematic review of literature from January 1st. 2019 to August 31st. 2023 on PubMed database. The search criteria were “(Microsporum incognito OR Dermatophytosis incognito) AND “Tinea Incognito”, with full text available and English or Spanish language required. Epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of the Tinea incognito will be reviewed on the available data.

Tinea incognito represents an altered clinical picture compared to other dermatophytoses. The physiopathogenesis involves an exaggerated inmmune response of the host to cutaneous fungal infection, which is mainly altered by treatment with topical or systemic corticosteroids and topical calcineurin inhibitors. The most common location seems to be trunk and limbs. The species usually involved are Trichophyton rubrum, followed by Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Epidermophyton floccosum. Tinea incognito can mimic eczema, which seems to be the most frequent presentation. Other forms that we can observe are rosacea-like lichenoid, psoriasis-like and bullous lesions.

This revision was undertaken to have an enhanced comprehension of the disease's etiology, epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment.