# Misdiagnosing psoriasis when it is really a simple but severe fungal infection **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 21, 2025, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misdiagnosing-psoriasis-when-it-is-really-a-simple-but-severe-fungal-infection/1018641 "2025-05-21T22:51:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2025, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misdiagnosing-psoriasis-when-it-is-really-a-simple-but-severe-fungal-infection/1018641/1 "2025-05-21T22:51:19Z")
After fighting this for over a year I decided to try and antifungal medication. Instant relief . Logic being that scratching my arms bare had likely opened them up to fungal infections. I wonder how common this is. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misdiagnosing-psoriasis-when-it-is-really-a-simple-but-severe-fungal-infection/1018641/2 "2025-05-22T12:56:34Z")
I have, over the years, witnessed both my self and several other people having “resistant” infections or various skin conditions that turned out to be fungal infections. I suspect that doctors are slow to suspect fungus. I don’t know why this would be, but it seems to me if the present course of action isn’t working one should consider that the correct diagnosis is something else and one should attempt a different course of action. But what do I know? I’m not a doctor. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misdiagnosing-psoriasis-when-it-is-really-a-simple-but-severe-fungal-infection/1018641/3 "2025-05-22T14:23:53Z")
Try using [Nizoral](https://nizoral.com/) on your skin. ---
**Author:** ![wguy123](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wguy123/32/3161_2.png) [@wguy123](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wguy123)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misdiagnosing-psoriasis-when-it-is-really-a-simple-but-severe-fungal-infection/1018641/4 "2025-05-22T14:54:54Z")
Why am I thinking of John Madden? ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misdiagnosing-psoriasis-when-it-is-really-a-simple-but-severe-fungal-infection/1018641/5 "2025-05-22T15:30:35Z")
Just happened to my wife as a matter of fact. She had a patch on hear ankle about the size of a dollar bill for the past 3+ years that looked like a massive scab that the dermatologist said was psoriasis. It was treated as psoriasis and never changed for as long as I can remember. In March she went to a different dermatologist who immediately said “that’s not psoriasis”. He changed course completely to treating it and as of now is completely gone like magic. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misdiagnosing-psoriasis-when-it-is-really-a-simple-but-severe-fungal-infection/1018641/6 "2025-05-22T16:53:39Z")
My older brother has been fighting psoriasis for decades. I feel so sorry for him because it covers huge areas and the itching drives him nuts. He as never been treated for fungus infection. How could you not have a fungal infection with your skin surface so compromised from scratching. He is getting irritated at me right now because I am pushing him to treat for fungus. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misdiagnosing-psoriasis-when-it-is-really-a-simple-but-severe-fungal-infection/1018641/7 "2025-05-22T17:07:40Z")
Well. You’re not his doctor. So maybe quit insisting. Myself, I’m an itcher. A itch waiting to rash. Every cream known to man has been on me. I have been swabbed, biopsied, scraped and peered at. Not every rash is psoriasis. Not every rash is fungal. Sometimes its a combination. Sometimes its a bug bite. If antifungal helped you, congrats. That’s not always the answer. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misdiagnosing-psoriasis-when-it-is-really-a-simple-but-severe-fungal-infection/1018641/8 "2025-05-22T17:32:21Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > If antifungal helped you, congrats. > That’s not always the answer. No one said it was always the answer, but it is extremely common and easy to treat with little to know risk. In his case the scabbing and scaling is severe and painful, well worth the try. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misdiagnosing-psoriasis-when-it-is-really-a-simple-but-severe-fungal-infection/1018641/9 "2025-05-22T18:56:04Z")
> [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > How could you not have a fungal infection with your skin surface so compromised from scratching. I had bad eczema throughout my childhood, with a lot of raw breaks in my skin, and never had a fungal infection due to that. Fungal infections don’t require broken skin to occur. From the description, if I were your brother I would certainly be trying to get on one of those new medications. I know how bad it feels to be itching all the time. But that is between him and his doctor, who I assume you are not. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misdiagnosing-psoriasis-when-it-is-really-a-simple-but-severe-fungal-infection/1018641/10 "2025-05-22T19:24:32Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > From the description, if I were your brother I would certainly be trying to get on one of those new medications. I know how bad it feels to be itching all the time. But that is between him and his doctor, who I assume you are not I could give you a long list of misdiagnoses by Dr’s that had serious consequences that were discovered by lay people with no particular medical knowledge but willing to do a little reading. My sister was living with Parkinson’s for at least a decade severe shaking, turns out it was the lithium being prescribed that was not even needed. Off the lithium immediate cure. My SO diagnosed with lung cancer and it was really an inhaled piece of food, which I advised the Dr’s ahead of time. Her lung was removed. I could go on and on. I will always second guess any Dr as I think everyone should. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2025, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misdiagnosing-psoriasis-when-it-is-really-a-simple-but-severe-fungal-infection/1018641/11 "2025-05-22T23:08:05Z")
> [@](#): > > “The problem with dermatophyte infections-superficial skin infections caused by fungal agents-is that they can look like many different things. And the same is true for non-fungal skin infections.” > **[Derms likely to misdiagnose fungal infections on visual inspection](https://www.dermatologytimes.com/view/derms-likely-misdiagnose-fungal-infections-visual-inspection)** > > A recent survey asking dermatologists to visually determine whether clinical photos are or aren’t fungal infections suggests visual inspection might not be enough for accurate diagnoses. The other side of the coin is that a lot of people wrongly believe they have chronic infections caused by fungi (Candida especially) and parasites, and self-treat or demand potentially dangerous pharmaceuticals as a result. > [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > …diagnoses…discovered by lay people with no particular medical knowledge but willing to do a little reading. Occasionally true, but also words that could be carved into many headstones. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2025, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misdiagnosing-psoriasis-when-it-is-really-a-simple-but-severe-fungal-infection/1018641/12 "2025-05-23T03:33:38Z")
> [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > I will always second guess any Dr as I think everyone should. Because your brief anecdotes are better than education and scientific research. No, doctors are not perfect. Some doctors are better than others. Medical people and facilities are under a lot of stress due to insurance and governmental interference (and other reasons). If a doctor recommends something that doesn’t work, am I going to go ask a friend or relative what they think? No, I’m going to go back to the doctor and have them try something else. Next best resort is to try a different doctor. Last resort is to ask an uneducated person with an opinion. ---
**Author:** ![echoreply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/echoreply/32/3641_2.png) [@echoreply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/echoreply)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2025, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misdiagnosing-psoriasis-when-it-is-really-a-simple-but-severe-fungal-infection/1018641/13 "2025-05-23T05:19:01Z")
I had the opposite experience. Recently I got some strange rashes on my legs, and even though I was actually taking anti-fungal medication for something else, the doctors really wanted to make sure the rashes were not a fungal infection. My GP thought it was either eczema or a reaction to the anti-fungal medication. I have no history of eczema, and I had no discomfort, so it makes sense to look for other causes. They took a sample for a fungal culture (4-6 weeks), prescribed a topical steroid, stopped the anti-fungal, and referred me to a dermatologist (4-6 weeks to get in). The dermatologist said it was eczema, switched me to a different steroid ointment, and also took scrapings to look for fungus under a microscope. They didn’t see anything under the microscope, and soon after the culture came back negative. So they _really_ wanted to be sure it wasn’t fungus. ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2025, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misdiagnosing-psoriasis-when-it-is-really-a-simple-but-severe-fungal-infection/1018641/14 "2025-06-12T14:23:31Z")
I finally solved the mystery of my own severe sporadic episodes of itching. Mine was a side effect from a common medicine Cialis. I just needed to reduce the blood levels slightly. Doctor never even suggested it might be a side effect from the only medication I take. Last week I solved a rash mystery for a friend of mine who was being treated not by a dermatologist yet but her regular Dr. It turns out she had bed bugs. She was shocked as she is one of the cleanest people I know. Her homeless brother came to visit a few months ago. I was looking up rashes and it was the only one that seemed to match hers. ---
**Author:** ![DaveUnknown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/94ad74/32.png) [@DaveUnknown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaveUnknown)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2025, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misdiagnosing-psoriasis-when-it-is-really-a-simple-but-severe-fungal-infection/1018641/15 "2025-06-12T14:28:33Z")
> [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > Doctor never even suggested it might be a side effect Interesting, Dr.’s first questions usually “are you taking any medications?” ---
**Author:** ![HoneyBadgerDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/honeybadgerdc/32/1033_2.png) [@HoneyBadgerDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HoneyBadgerDC)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2025, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misdiagnosing-psoriasis-when-it-is-really-a-simple-but-severe-fungal-infection/1018641/16 "2025-06-12T14:32:49Z")
> [@DaveUnknown](#): > > Interesting, Dr.’s first questions usually “are you taking any medications?” Every visit his first question is almost always if there are any changes in my medications, on reflection > [@DaveUnknown](#): > > Interesting, Dr.’s first questions usually “are you taking any medications?” I may have misled him here as I answered no when in fact I had slightly increased my usage of the drug. So I will take a hit for that one even though I doubt he would have made the connection anyway. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2025, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misdiagnosing-psoriasis-when-it-is-really-a-simple-but-severe-fungal-infection/1018641/17 "2025-06-12T14:55:13Z")
There’s a difference between trying something generally harmless or at least getting tested for something and trying dangerous meds, though. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2025, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misdiagnosing-psoriasis-when-it-is-really-a-simple-but-severe-fungal-infection/1018641/18 "2025-06-12T20:44:20Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > There’s a difference between trying something generally harmless or at least getting tested for something and trying dangerous meds, though. Even when “trying something generally harmless” i.e. topical antifungal meds, there’s a risk of irritation or allergic reaction, as well as [other problems](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11864668/). > [@](#): > > Ready access to these (topical antifungal) products is associated with wasted financial expenditures, unfulfilled expectations, and a delay in correct diagnosis [Fungal resistance](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6124242/) to drugs is another potential issue. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2025, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misdiagnosing-psoriasis-when-it-is-really-a-simple-but-severe-fungal-infection/1018641/19 "2025-06-12T22:28:30Z")
> [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > She was shocked as she is one of the cleanest people I know. Bed bugs have _zero_ to do with how clean people are. If anything, bed bugs do better in a clean environment. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2025, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misdiagnosing-psoriasis-when-it-is-really-a-simple-but-severe-fungal-infection/1018641/20 "2025-06-12T22:35:33Z")
Has the creepy fungus of “sneak brag” slipped in the door? Icky. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/misdiagnosing-psoriasis-when-it-is-really-a-simple-but-severe-fungal-infection/1018641.md?page=2)