Skin Problems & Treatments Health Center

Sporotrichosis

Sporotrichosis Care at Home

No effective home care for sporotrichosis is known. Ulcers should be kept clean and covered until they are healed.

Medical Treatment for Sporotrichosis

Treatment of sporotrichosis depends on the site infected.

• Infections in the skin only: These sporotrichosis infections have traditionally been treated with a saturated potassium iodide solution. This medicine is given three times per day for three to six months until all the lesions have gone away. Skin infections may also be treated with itraconazole (Sporanox) for up to six months.
• Sporotrichosis infection in the bones and joints: These infections are much more difficult to treat and rarely respond to potassium iodide. Itraconazole (Sporanox) is often used as an initial medication for several months or even up to a year. Amphotericin is also used, but this drug can only be given through an IV. Amphotericin has more side effects and may need to be administered for many months. Surgery is sometimes needed to remove infected bone.
• Infection in the lungs: Lung infections are treated with potassium iodide, itraconazole (Sporanox), and amphotericin with varying amounts of success. Sometimes, the infected areas of the lung have to be removed.
• Infection in the brain: Sporotrichosis meningitis is very rare, so information on treatment is not readily available. Amphotericin plus 5-fluorocytosine is generally recommended, but itraconazole (Sporanox) might also be tried.

Follow-up Care for Sporotrichosis

Multiple follow-up visits may be needed with a doctor to make sure sporotrichosis is disappearing. Once the disease goes away, further follow-up care is generally not needed.

Sporotrichosis Prevention

The most important step in preventing sporotrichosis is preventing mold spores from entering the skin.

• People who work with roses, hay, or sphagnum moss should cover any scratches or breaks in their skin.
• They should wear heavy boots and gloves to prevent puncture wounds.

Outlook for Sporotrichosis

Most people who have sporotrichosis only in their skin or lymph nodes make a full recovery.

Treating a sporotrichosis infection may take several months or years, and scars may remain at the site of the original infection.

Infections involving the brain, lungs, joints, or other areas of the body are much more difficult to treat.