Tinea Faciei

An eruption on the face of a 49-year-old woman had been misdiagnosed as a staphylococcal infection; the rash failed to respond to oral and topical antibiotics. A mid-potency topical corticosteroid also had been tried, but the eruption worsened.

A well-demarcated, annular, erythematous plaque with a raised border was noted. A potassium hydroxide preparation of a scraping from the border of the lesion confirmed the clinical impression of tinea faciei. The patient's new kitten was the suspected source of the dermatophyte.

A 2-week course of oral terbinafine, 250 mg/d, and twice-daily application of econazole cream were prescribed. The infection resolved within 3 weeks. The kitten was evaluated and treated by a veterinarian for a fungal infection. Pets are a common source of dermatophytes; treating their infection reduces the likelihood of reinfection.