Assistance
Consultation
Services
Opinion
Care Coordination
What will your treatment cost?
Mycetoma or Madura Foot treatment in India
Released Date: 2021-03-02
What is mycetoma?
Mycetoma is a chronic slow-growing infection which comes in either bacterial (actinomycetoma) or fungal (eumycetoma) form. Infection begins most often in the foot, probably after a cut allows the bacteria or fungus to enter from the soil or animal dung, and it can spread to other parts of the body. It slowly, progressively, and initially painlessly, destroys subcutaneous tissues. Mycetoma affects skin, muscle and bone, causing severe disability.
The causative organisms of mycetoma are distributed worldwide but are endemic in tropical and subtropical areas in the so called 'Mycetoma belt', which includes the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, Chad, Ethiopia, India, Mauritania, Mexico, Senegal, Somalia, Sudan, Thailand, and Yemen.
🖼️ Understand It in Pictures
Healthy foot vs mycetoma
👀 Symptoms in Pictures
🎬 The Treatment Journey in Pictures
📅 Recovery at a Glance
Symptoms
Mycetoma usually progresses slowly.
- Starts with a painless lump under the skin
- Progresses to open infection discharging small ‘grains’ containing fungal spores
- Causes swollen, disfigured body parts – most commonly hands and feet, back, and buttocks
- Deteriorates into a chronic condition as mycetoma spreads to the skin, deep tissue and bone, resulting in destruction, deformity, and loss of function
- Bacterial infection is also common, which may cause increased pain, disability, and fatal septicaemia if untreated.
Many people with mycetoma become depressed and need psychological support.
Diagnosis
Mycetoma can be identified by directly examining discharged ‘grains’ of fungal spores under a microscope, but further tests are needed to confirm the diagnosis, which may include biopsy and x-ray or ultrasound. The earlier the infection is detected, the better the chance there is of curing it, so a simple, effective diagnostic test is urgently needed.
Treatment
The treatment depends on the causative organisms. For the bacterial type, it is a combination of antibiotics, whereas for the fungal type it is a combination of antifungal drugs and surgery. The treatment is frequently unsatisfactory, has many side effects, is expensive and is often not available in endemic areas.
Prevention & Control
Mycetoma is not a notifiable disease (a disease required by law to be reported) and a global surveillance system is being developed. There are no control programmes for mycetoma yet, except for Sudan. Preventing infection is difficult, but people living in or travelling to endemic areas should be advised not to walk barefoot.
If you have any related query, you can send us your report at the email address below, or you can call or WhatsApp us for a second opinion.
Video/tele consultation also available
E-mail address- query@satyughealthcare.com
Phone number- +91888-242-4372, +91991-065-5125
Frequently asked questions
Q. What causes Mycetoma?
Mycetoma is a disease caused by certain types of bacteria and fungi found in soil and water. These bacteria and fungi may enter the body through a break in the skin, often on a person's foot.
Q. How do you treat Mycetoma?
The treatment for mycetoma includes antibiotics or antifungal medicine, depending on whether the disease is caused by bacteria or fungi. Surgery is sometimes needed to cut away the infected tissue. Wearing shoes might help prevent mycetoma.
Q. Does nocardia cause Mycetoma?
More than 20 species of fungi and bacteria can cause mycetoma. Nocardia species, especially Nocardia brasiliensis, are the most commonly implicated actinomycetes.
Q. How do you prevent Mycetoma?
Preventing mycetoma is difficult, but people living in or travelling to endemic areas should avoid walking barefoot. Wearing shoes and keeping cuts and wounds on the feet clean and covered may help prevent the bacteria and fungi found in soil from entering the skin.
There are 2 types of Madura foot infection: fungal and bacterial.
Related Blogs
HAPPY PATIENTS
What Our Patients Are Saying
Our Gallery
