What are the most common fungal skin infections associated with diabetes?

Candidiasis, usually caused by Candida albicans. Mucocutaneous candidiasis is characterized by red plaques with adherent white exudate and satellite pustules. Candidal vulvovaginitis is extremely common. Perianal dermatitis in either men or women may be caused by Candida. Other mucocutaneous forms of candidiasis include thrush (infection of oral mucosa), perlèche (angular cheilitis), intertrigo (infection of skinfolds), erosio interdigitalis blastomycetica chronica (finger webspace infection), paronychia (infection of the soft tissue around the nail plate), and onychomycosis (infection of the nail). The mechanism appears to involve increased levels of glucose that serve as a substrate for Candida species to proliferate. Patients with recurrent cutaneous candidiasis of any form should be screened for diabetes.


Dermatophytosis is also common in the general population as well as in diabetic patients. A recent epidemiologic study found that among all dermatophyte infections, Trichophyton rubrum was the most frequently isolated. Tinea pedis was identified as the most frequent, followed by tinea unguium, tinea corporis, tinea cruris, tinea manuum, and tinea capitis including kerion.

Watanabe S: Dermatomycosis—classification, etiology, pathogenesis, and treatment: Nippon Rinsho 66:2285–2289, 2008.