A clinicoepidemiological study on tinea incognita with assessment of its treatment strategies and drug prescribing practices in a tertiary care hospital

Background: The incidence of tinea incognita (TI) appears to have increased over recent years owing to the easy availability of topical corticosteroids as over-the-counter preparations. Aim: Describing the various clinicoepidemiological aspects of TI and assessing the treatment strategies and prescribing practices followed for its management. Materials and Methods: A prospective study was conducted with 170 patients in the department of Skin and STD of a tertiary care hospital at Salem from Jan 2022 to June 2022. The various sociodemographic information was obtained by interviewing the patients and a detailed dermatological examination was performed by the dermatologists to describe the morphology of lesions, and sites involved. Results: The results were statistically analysed and expressed in the form of percentages. Most of the patients were in the age group of 41-50 years. The majority of patients were illiterate, unskilled workers, married, belonging to the lower middle class, from rural localities, and with positive family histories. Most of the patients were suffering from TI for more than 1 year. The commonly used treatment modality was combinational therapy which comprises oral and topical antifungals and antihistaminic drugs. The commonly prescribed antifungal was itraconazole. Conclusion: This study emphasises the need to spread awareness among the pharmacist and the community regarding the adverse consequences of practicing self-medication with topical corticosteroids.