A 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.

Blastomycosis is a rare fungal infection. It is most common in the central and southeastern United States, and in Canada, India, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Africa. A person gets infected by inhaling fungal particles that are found in moist soil, particularly where there is rotting vegetation. People with immune system disorders are at highest risk for this infection.

The fungus enters the body through the lungs, infecting them. In some people, the fungus then spreads (disseminates) to other areas of the body. The infection may affect the skin, bones and joints, genitourinary tract, and other systems. Skin symptoms are a sign of widespread (disseminated) blastomycosis.

Images

Fungus

Next Section

Skin lesion of blastomycosis Symptoms

Review Date: 09/15/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)