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– One of the things that has been most disturbing is how quickly it has gained a foothold in several regions of the world. So says dermatologist at Oslo University Hospital, Christoffer Ingvaldsen. All over the country, skin departments are admitting more and more patients with the fungal infection, which is difficult to treat, he says. – Until now, we have had around 30 patients at the skin department at Rikshospitalet. And we have received feedback that there are similar cases in other parts of the country or health institutions. Christoffer Ingvaldsen recently attended an international conference in Copenhagen where they discussed how to stop the spread of the fungus. Photo: private / private Ingvaldsen points out that it is not a dangerous mushroom, but that it is very troublesome. – The fungal infection causes an itchy and itchy rash. It can also spread so far that it covers larger parts of the skin surface. He says they have had patients who have had a fungal infection of up to 15 per cent of the skin surface. Dermatologist Claus Lützow-Holm has the podcast “The skin talks”, where he talks about skin problems. He says this fungus causes large rashes and is difficult to treat. – This can be very uncomfortable. Because the skin becomes very red and sore, it can itch a lot, cause oozing sores and not least clearing. It is quite hot, not unlike eczema, he explains. “Doctors must become aware that this fungus is something other than what they are used to, so that samples are taken and these are diagnosed in the laboratory”Claus Lûtzow-Holm dermatologist Photo: Marianne Ytre-Eide / NRKPhoto: Marianne Ytre-Eide / news Comes from Southeast Asia The fungus is called “Trichophyton indotineae”. It probably comes from the Indian subcontinent and has later spread to other world regions, including Europe, according to Norsk Helseinformatikk. At the fungal meeting in Copenhagen last week, organized by the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, resistant fungal infections were a topic. – This with resistant skin fungus is a new problem. And we are actually in somewhat unknown territory. There is no standardized treatment for such cases per time, says Ingvaldsen. Photo taken by the CDC of an outbreak of Trichophyton indotineae on a thigh. Photo: Materials developed by CDC Ingvaldsen says dermatologists from all over Europe exchanged treatment experiences and shared advice at the meeting in Copenhagen. – Skin fungus has previously been easily treated with a well-tolerated antifungal agent that came out in the early 90s. The new species of fungus has now succeeded in developing resistance to the fungicide in question. He says they must look for alternative treatment methods. Those who have the fungus have probably been infected by the skin fungus in connection with traveling eastwards in Asia. – We have had cases of this fungus in both sexes and different ages. So it does not seem to have any preferences or increased occurrence in special groups, beyond this with travel. Resistant fungal species have quickly gained a foothold in India and neighboring countries. Reports from India show that over 70 percent of all mushroom samples showed signs of resistance. And the tendency is spreading in Europe, he says. – We now see the need for international cooperation to map the number and scope. Photo taken by the American CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) shows an outbreak on a stomach. Photo: Materials developed by CDC Dependent on antibiotics Miriam Sare, doctor and specialist in medical microbiology at the Institute of Public Health (FHI), tells news that the development of antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest health threats of our time. – It is a problem we see in very large parts of the world, which is also increasing, says Sare. She says that the health journal The Lancet published a large study last autumn in which they estimated that this type of resistance would increase by 60 per cent until 2050. – We are completely dependent on antibiotics working. In Norway, every fourth person gets an infection that requires treatment with antibiotics every year, says Sare, who also emphasizes that compared to the rest of the world, the situation in Norway is good. In the autumn, the government came up with a new strategy to slow down the development of antibiotic resistance in Norway. – There they came up with some areas that we will invest in going forward in order to keep the level low. One of the points is to use antibiotics more correctly. Another is infection prevention – to prevent infections, says Sare. Fungal infection is common, Ingvaldsen says France, Germany, Switzerland and Denmark have reported many cases of the resistant type of fungus. Fungal infection is the fourth most common cause of disease in the world, according to dermatologists. The infections are not dangerous, because the fungal species in question only live in the skin, hair and nails. “This can be very uncomfortable. Because the skin becomes very red and sore. And can itch a lot, give the fluids wounds and not least exfoliation»Claus Lûtzow-Holm dermatologist Photo: Marianne Ytre-Eide / NRKPhoto: Marianne Ytre-Eide / news Fungal infections like this can be contagious, but probably not by a handshake alone. – We are talking about hours, days to weeks, where you live in the same environment. And where you have skin contact, share furniture, possibly clothes. In that case, it is mainly long-term exposure that is needed. Ingvaldsen says that the fungus’s spores are highly survivable and can live on surfaces and objects for months. For those unlucky enough to get the fungus, it is a long road to get rid of it. And the treatment is invasive in everyday life. This is what you must do if you get this fungal infection. The treatment is a long-term capsule course over several months. Daily lubrication with antifungal cream Full body wash with antifungal shampoo Wash clothes and bed covers, other textiles, at 60 degrees Be very aware of footwear, especially if you have worn them without socks. It is important to change clothes, towels regularly and change the bed often. Medicines in Europe In many regions of the world, including several European countries, you can buy creams with an unfortunate mixture of steroids (cortisone), antifungals and antibiotics without a prescription. The steroids reduce the itching, but at the same time also weaken the body’s defense mechanisms. The fungus thus gets more room to maneuver and can develop resistance to the fungicides, says Ingvaldsen. – It is crucial to be able to limit access to this type of preparation around the world, especially “over-the-counter”. In addition, one must become aware of the unfortunate consequences of using such combination creams that are supposed to “fix everything”. This is where the importance of public information comes into play. Claus Lützow-Holm is a dermatologist and says the fungus is unpleasant for those who get it. Photo: Marianne Ytre-Eide / news Dermatologist Claus Lützow-Holm believes doctors and authorities must work together on information about the fungus. – So here the professional circles and the authorities will have to come up with concrete advice together, so that this is dealt with properly. Published 17.12.2024, at 10.24 Updated 17.12.2024, at 11.28
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