A young girl developed small knots on her scalp hair caused by a yeast fungus called Candida orthopsilosis. This is extremely rare, as white piedra is typically caused by different fungi. Doctors identified the fungus using DNA testing and treated it successfully with antifungal creams and shampoo. This case shows that doctors should not dismiss Candida growth as contamination when found on hair.
Researchers studied fungal skin infections in a community in northeastern Argentina, finding that 37% of patients had these infections. The most common cause was a fungus called Trichophyton tonsurans. Poor living conditions like overcrowding and lack of clean water increased infection risk. The study shows that fungal skin infections are a significant health problem in areas with limited access to basic sanitation and water services.
Researchers in Finland studied how a fast DNA test (PCR) can detect fungal skin infections better than traditional slow culture methods. The new test, called DermaGenius, gives results in just 16 hours instead of 19 days. By 2022, most fungal infection samples were tested using this faster method, which helps doctors treat patients quickly without unnecessary medications.