Symptoms
Calf lichen is a localized fungal infection of the skin with vesicles, papules, and pustules. The skin is pale on the inside and surrounded by a red ring on the outside. A strong inflammation is typical. The scalp, face, nails, beard and exposed skin areas such as the arms can be affected. The infection occurs worldwide, with cases reported in the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and China, among other countries.
Causes
Calf lichen is a fungal infection caused primarily by cutaneous fungus. Other Trichophyton species such as can also cause the disease.
Transmission
It is a zoonosis, that is, a disease transmitted from animals to humans. Cattle, especially calves, are the main reservoir and are themselves also affected, especially on the head and neck. Sheep, horses and other animals can also become ill. Small skin lesions serve as ports of entry for the fungus. The infection is also transmitted from person to person. According to some authors, it is said to be very infectious, while others consider this route of transmission to be less significant. Some cases of human-to-human transmission have been described in the literature.
Complications
Possible complications include secondary bacterial infections, systemic fungal infection with fever, lymph node swelling, and other general symptoms, and hair loss if the hair follicle is affected.
Risk factors
Calf lichen mainly affects people on farms who come into direct contact with the diseased animals, for example, farmers, but also veterinarians. It can also occur after vacations on a farm.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis is made in medical or dermatological treatment. The diagnosis is often misdiagnosed because it is a rare condition that affects only certain occupational groups. Misdiagnosis includes other skin diseases such as eczema or psoriasis. In addition to microscopy and laboratory tests, the medical history is important: questions about occupation, vacation on the farm?
Non-drug treatment
For prevention, hygienic measures should be taken (wear gloves). During the illness, a bandage should be applied to reduce the risk of infection.
Drug treatment
Antifungal agents are effective against fungal infection when used externally and internally. With azoles, a sufficiently long duration of treatment is important.
- Azole antifungals, e.g., itraconazole, fluconazole (internal), econazole, ketoconazole (external).
- Ciclopiroxolamine (external).
- Other
Possibly topical glucocorticoids to reduce inflammation. Evt. disinfectants if antifungals are not available. In animals, salicylaseline 30% is applied locally by some farmers. It can be prepared in pharmacies.
