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Skin lesion of blastomycosis - Treatment

Treatment:

This infection is treated with antifungal drugs such as amphotericin B, itraconazole, ketoconazole, or fluconazole. Either oral or intravenous (directly in the vein) drugs are used, depending on the form and stage of the disease.

Expectations (prognosis):

What happens depends on the form of blastomycosis and the individual's immune system. In immunosuppressed individuals, long-term treatment may be required to prevent symptoms from coming back.

Complications:

Abscesses (pockets of pus)
Additional (secondary) skin infection caused by bacteria
Complications related to medications (for instance, amphotericin B can have severely unpleasant side effects)
Spontaneously draining nodules

Calling your health care provider:

Some of the skin problems caused by blastomycosis can be similar to skin problems caused by other illnesses. Tell your doctor if you develop any worrisome skin problems.

Fungus

Reviewed last on: 9/28/2008
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, Instructor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Kauffman CA. Blastomycosis. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 355.

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