Tinea Incognito: A Comprehensive Review of Steroid-Modified Dermatophytosis and Its Pharmacotherapeutic Challenges

Superficial dermatophyte infections show characteristic scaly and red ring-shaped lesions which expand outward from their edges while their centres clear and medical professionals rely on these physical signs to establish a diagnosis. The diagnosis of Tinea incognito (TI) or incognita refers to superficial fungal infections whose appearance differs from normal skin because of topical or systemic corticosteroid usage. Recent associations have been made between the development of this condition and the use of other immunosuppressive agents such as calcineurin inhibitors, tumor necrosis factor inhibitors, and fumaric acid esters for psoriasis treatments. Applying topical corticosteroids (TCS) to fungal infections produces unusual and complex manifestations which can result in extensive presentations difficult for clinicians to diagnose. This review aims to present a detailed examination of the causes behind Tinea Incognito and its clinical features alongside diagnostic methods and treatment strategies.