Fungal Skin Infections: Why Yours Keeps Coming Back
Ringworm has become dramatically harder to treat in India, and the main reason sits on the counter of every medical shop: steroid-containing combination creams.
Read articleAbout the Dermatology department
Dermatology treats conditions of the skin, hair and nails — from acne and fungal infection to psoriasis, eczema, vitiligo and drug reactions. In a hot, humid-then-dusty climate, fungal skin infection is by far the most common presentation, and it has become notably harder to treat because of the widespread use of over-the-counter steroid-antifungal combination creams.
That is worth stating plainly: creams sold without prescription that contain a steroid make a fungal infection look better for a week and considerably worse thereafter, while making it resistant to proper treatment. Persistent itchy, ring-shaped rashes need a correct diagnosis and an adequate course of the right medicine.
The department also manages hair loss, pigmentation problems, chronic urticaria, skin manifestations of diabetes and thyroid disease, and skin lesions that need biopsy to exclude malignancy.
Conditions we treat
The presentations seen most often in this department. If your symptom is not listed, book a consultation anyway — the clinic will redirect you if another speciality fits better.
- Fungal skin infections (tinea)
- Acne and acne scarring
- Eczema and atopic dermatitis
- Psoriasis
- Vitiligo
- Hair loss and alopecia
- Chronic urticaria and allergy
- Melasma and pigmentation
- Nail disorders
- Skin infections and abscesses
- Drug reactions
Procedures and services
- Dermatological consultation and diagnosis
- Skin scraping and fungal testing
- Skin biopsy
- Intralesional injection for keloids and alopecia
- Cautery and minor lesion removal
- Chemical peels for acne and pigmentation
- Patch testing referral for contact allergy
Technology and support
Equipment matters only when it is available at the moment of need. These services sit on the same campus, with laboratory and imaging cover round the clock.
- Dermoscopy for lesion assessment
- Histopathology support for skin biopsy
- Minor procedure room
When to seek urgent care
Do not wait for an outpatient appointment if any of the following applies. Call 9281862028 or come straight to the emergency department, which is open 24 hours and does not require an appointment.
- A rapidly spreading rash with fever and blistering
- A mole changing in size, shape, colour or bleeding
- A rash with blisters or peeling inside the mouth after starting a new medicine
- A painful, spreading red area on the leg with fever
Frequently asked questions
Why does my fungal infection keep coming back?
Usually because treatment was stopped too early, the dose was inadequate, a steroid-containing cream was used, or family members and clothing were not treated together. Fungal infection needs continued treatment for two weeks beyond visible clearance, plus hot washing of clothes and treatment of household contacts.
Is hair loss reversible?
It depends on the cause. Telogen effluvium after illness, fever, delivery or nutritional deficiency recovers fully. Pattern hair loss can be slowed and partly reversed with early treatment. Scarring alopecia cannot regrow hair, which is why early assessment matters.
