Mycetoma is a slow growing infection concentrated in an area, usually under the skin. This health condition is marked an abnormal skin lump caused by a tumor, that’s not contagious.
As your infection progresses, cavities are formed and a fluid discharged. Eventually, mycetoma skin lump can affect surrounding muscle and bone, causing disability.
Mycetoma skin infection is caused by numerous species of soil dwelling bacteria and fungi. This skin health condition is mainly seen in tropical, subtropical and temperate regions. However, cases of mycetoma does occur in the U.S. now and again, particularly in the southern part.
The germs causing mycetoma typically gain entrance via a minor puncture type wound, such as those caused by thorns or wood splinters. Mycetoma begins as a small firm and painless papule a month or so after your skin break. Over time, the nodule forms into a discharging tumor, surrounded by scar tissue.
As your mycetoma infection advances, which might take years, its skin tumor lump can cause function loss because of scarring to any adjacent muscle, tendon, fascia and bone. Bone invasion can develop, which causes inflammation, bone pain and severe damage.
Mycetoma can be complicated by secondary bacterial infection, lymphedema and erythema. In some rare instances where mycetoma is left untreated, the secondary infection may evolve into life threatening sepsis.
Treating mycetoma infection may require surgical removal of your skin tumor lump, coupled with drug therapy. If your infection is expansive, amputation may be necessary. And taking an antibiotic or antifungal drug after surgery reduces your chances of your mycetoma infection recurring.
Mycetoma tumors may occur with pulmonary aspergilloma, nocardia infection and fungal sinusitis as well.