Overview
Steroid-modified tinea infection, also known as tinea incognito, occurs when topical corticosteroids are applied to a fungal infection. This can alter the typical clinical presentation of tinea, making diagnosis more challenging and potentially leading to a more widespread or atypical eruption 1.Diagnosis
Clinical presentation may be atypical due to prior corticosteroid use 1.
Microscopic examination (KOH preparation) and fungal culture are essential for definitive diagnosis 1.Management
Topical antimicrobial-corticosteroid combination therapy can improve skin barrier and AD severity 1.
Topical steroids alone also improve AD severity and repair skin barrier 1.
Combined therapy with antimicrobial and steroid helps to recover the skin microbiome 1.Key Recommendations
Combination therapy with antimicrobial and steroid helps to recover the skin microbiome 1. (Evidence: Moderate)
Topical steroids alone effectively improve the severity of AD and repair skin barrier 1. (Evidence: Moderate)
Combined therapy with antimicrobial and steroid helps to recover the skin microbiome 1. (Evidence: Moderate)References
1 Tingting L, Zhang P, Yang L, Li R, Wang R. The effects of topical antimicrobial-corticosteroid combination therapy in comparison to topical steroids alone on the skin microbiome of patients with atopic dermatitis. The Journal of dermatological treatment 2025. link