Overview
Chromomycosis (also called chromoblastomycosis) is a long-lasting fungal infection that mainly affects the skin and the tissue just beneath it. It is caused by several types of dark-pigmented fungi found in soil, rotting wood, and plant material. The infection usually starts when fungal spores enter the body through a small cut, scrape, or puncture wound — most often on the feet, legs, or hands. Over months or years, the infection slowly spreads outward from the original wound site. The most noticeable signs are raised, warty, or cauliflower-like skin growths that can be itchy or painful. The affected skin may turn dark, crusty, or develop open sores. In some cases, the infection can spread through the lymph system to nearby areas of skin. Serious complications include secondary bacterial infections, lymphedema (swelling caused by blocked lymph vessels), and in rare cases, transformation into a type of skin cancer after many years. Treatment is challenging and often takes a long time — sometimes years. Antifungal medicines such as itraconazole and terbinafine are the main treatments. Doctors may also use physical methods like cryotherapy (freezing the lesions), laser therapy, or surgery to remove affected tissue. A complete cure is possible, especially when the infection is caught early, but advanced cases are much harder to treat. Early diagnosis and consistent treatment give the best outcomes.
Also known as:
Key symptoms:
Raised, warty or cauliflower-like growths on the skinItchy or painful skin lesionsDark, crusty, or scaly patches on the skinOpen sores or ulcers that do not healSwelling of the affected limbSkin that becomes thickened and hardened over timeSmall pink or red bumps that slowly grow largerBlack dots visible on the surface of skin lesionsSpreading of lesions along the limb over months or yearsSecondary skin infections causing redness, warmth, or pus
Clinical phenotype terms (33)— hover any for plain English
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
Treatments
1 availableM.V.I.-12
Prevention of thromboembolic complications in people receiving home parenteral nutrition who also receive warfarin-type anticoagulant therapy
Clinical Trials
View all trials with filters →No actively recruiting trials found for Chromomycosis at this time.
New trials open frequently. Follow this disease to get notified.
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Travel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Chromomycosis.
Community
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Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.Which type of fungus is causing my infection, and does it affect which treatment I should receive?,How long will I need to take antifungal medication, and what side effects should I watch for?,Should I also have a physical treatment like cryotherapy or surgery alongside my medication?,How will we know if the treatment is working, and what happens if it does not respond?,What are the chances of the infection coming back after treatment, and how can I reduce that risk?,Are there any activities or exposures I should avoid to prevent the infection from spreading or worsening?,Are there any newer or combination treatments I should consider if standard therapy does not work?
Common questions about Chromomycosis
What is Chromomycosis?
Chromomycosis (also called chromoblastomycosis) is a long-lasting fungal infection that mainly affects the skin and the tissue just beneath it. It is caused by several types of dark-pigmented fungi found in soil, rotting wood, and plant material. The infection usually starts when fungal spores enter the body through a small cut, scrape, or puncture wound — most often on the feet, legs, or hands. Over months or years, the infection slowly spreads outward from the original wound site. The most noticeable signs are raised, warty, or cauliflower-like skin growths that can be itchy or painful. The
How is Chromomycosis inherited?
Chromomycosis follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Chromomycosis typically begin?
Typical onset of Chromomycosis is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Which specialists treat Chromomycosis?
16 specialists and care centers treating Chromomycosis are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.
What treatment and support options exist for Chromomycosis?
1 patient support program are currently tracked on UniteRare for Chromomycosis. See the treatments and support programs sections for copay assistance, eligibility, and contact details.