Black lichen

Lichen black is a fungal skin lesion, an infectious disease characterized by the appearance of specific black spots on the skin of a certain localization. Usually, black lichen affects the surfaces of the palms and feet.

Dark spots that appear on the palms and soles of the feet do not cause any discomfort to the patient. Sometimes spots appear on other parts of the body.

ETIOLOGY AND PATHOGENESIS
Lichen black occurs as a result of penetration into the body of some mold fungi – Stenella arguata, Cladosporium, Exophiala wemeckii.

The predominant localization of these types of fungi is the USA, Africa, Asia, Central and South America, therefore, the disease itself is more characteristic of this area.

In the environment, the fungus can be found in the soil, the wood of fallen trees, compost, as well as in sewage. Fungi penetrate through micro-injuries in the skin.

These fungi are characterized by a lesion of smooth skin, that is, devoid of hair and sebaceous glands. Of course, cases of skin lesions on the body in atypical places are not excluded, but such cases are very rare.

Predisposing factors and causes of the development of black lichen

Endemic. People living in an endemic area are more at risk than others. Persons in non-endemic zones are infected with this disease most often during tourism to tropical and subtropical countries.
Concomitant diseases affecting the skin.
SYMPTOMS OF BLACK LICHEN
The main manifestation of the disease is the appearance of spots of various sizes and shapes on the skin of the palms and soles. The spots acquire a characteristic color – from dark brown to pronounced black.

The heel is absolutely painless, does not cause any discomfort, except for a visual unaesthetic defect. Rashes are located on all surfaces of the palms, between the fingers, on the hands and feet. Usually, at first, small elements tend to increase and merge into large spots, reaching up to several centimeters in diameter.

Lesions can be both unilateral and bilateral, as well as simultaneous damage to the soles and palms.

Despite the fact that the disease seems harmless, its contagiousness is quite high. The incubation period of black lichen is up to 7 weeks, but on average lasts no more than two weeks.

Most spots have uneven incised (scalloped) edges. Extensive spots can still cause minor discomfort in the form of itching, often the spots are covered with flaky scales.

In some cases, the patient may take lichen black as melanoma (skin cancer) and seek advice from an oncologist.

DIAGNOSIS OF LICHEN BLACK
The doctor should conduct a visual examination. Large spots, as a rule, have a greater intensity of color to the periphery. Also, the doctor should conduct a differential diagnosis with oncological diseases by conducting cytology of scraping from altered skin areas.

TREATMENT OF BLACK LICHEN
To successfully cure this disease, you should adhere to certain rules:

Thorough disinfection, removal of keratinized layers from the affected areas.
Application of antifungal ointment. It is necessary to go the whole course. The duration is about two weeks. Nizoral, Amicazole, cancide, pimafucin are used.
To consolidate the result, a preventive course of exoderyl is carried out.
PREVENTION OF BLACK LICHEN
To avoid infection with an already contagious disease, it is necessary to observe the rules of personal hygiene. In particular, you should protect yourself if a person visits endemic countries and communicates with contact people, especially since the incubation period is quite long. It is important to know that the fungi that cause black lichen are able to penetrate under occlusive dressings on wounds, plasters.

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