Experts Warn of New, Difficult-to-Treat Fungal Skin Infections Emerging in US

New strains can look different from typical ringworm, making them harder to diagnose.
Experts Warn of New, Difficult-to-Treat Fungal Skin Infections Emerging in US
A close view of a ringworm infection. CDC/ Dr. Lucille K. Georg
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Two highly contagious ringworm strains that defy standard treatments are arriving in the United States, according to a new report by NYU Langone Health, a medical center chain in New York City.

The fungi are rare, making them difficult to diagnose. They also defy standard treatments and are harder to treat. These factors give ringworm infections the potential to spark an epidemic. Therefore, health care providers are urged to be on high alert.

New Strains Are Harder to Diagnose

The NYU Langone Health report references two case studies.
George Citroner
George Citroner
Author
George Citroner reports on health and medicine, covering topics that include cancer, infectious diseases, and neurodegenerative conditions. He was awarded the Media Orthopaedic Reporting Excellence (MORE) award in 2020 for a story on osteoporosis risk in men.