When Fungal Infections Mimic Acne: Diagnostic Pitfalls and Practical Approaches.

Rachel E Christensen, Jeremy A W Gold, Shari R Lipner

Abstract readReview

In one paragraph

Review in Cutis, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it

0cells of the map it votes in

0citing papers in PubMed

–field-weighted citation impact

1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Rachel E ChristensenDrs. Christensen and Lipner are from the Department of Dermatology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York. Dr. Gold is from the Mycotic Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.

Jeremy A W GoldDrs. Christensen and Lipner are from the Department of Dermatology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York. Dr. Gold is from the Mycotic Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.

Shari R LipnerDrs. Christensen and Lipner are from the Department of Dermatology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York. Dr. Gold is from the Mycotic Diseases Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia.

Funding

Intramural CDC HHS CC999999

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Dermatophyte infections including tinea incognita and Majocchi granuloma as well as Malassezia folliculitis may manifest as follicular papules or pustules in acne-prone areas, leading to frequent misdiagnosis as acne vulgaris, particularly after topical corticosteroid use alters their clinical appearance. Early recognition of these entities is important to reduce morbidity and prevent inappropriate therapy, especially corticosteroids, which may exacerbate the infection and delay appropriate treatment. This review highlights dermatophyte infections as an underrecognized mimic of acne vulgaris, emphasizing key clinical distinguishing features, common diagnostic pitfalls, and a practical approach to evaluation.

Indexed as

Acne VulgarisDermatomycosesDiagnosis, DifferentialHumansTinea

Identifiers

PMID42868298

DOI10.12788/cutis.1417

PMCPMC13663616

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata

Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.