Working in the garden can carry a risk.
TNS / Miami Herald File
I’ve been spending a lot of time planting rose bushes lately. As much as I love being outside and working in the garden, I’m careful to wear thick gloves to prevent a lesser-known fungal infection called sporotrichosis, often referred to as “rose gardener’s disease.”
What is sporotrichosis?
Sporotrichosis is a fungal infection of the skin caused by exposure to a fungus that lives in soil, plants, decaying vegetation, moss and hay. The fungus enters the body through small cuts or puncture wounds, often from rose thorns or splinters.
It typically starts as a red or purple bump on the skin. Over time, the infection can spread, causing more bumps to appear that may begin to pus or turn into open sores. It can cause long term health problems if not treated.
Common signs and symptoms include:
A small, painless bump at the site of a cut or other skin injury.A lesion that becomes larger, red or ulcerated over time.Additional bumps and redness appearing in a line from the initial wound towards the center of the body (moves up the lymph vessels).Slow progression over several weeks, months and even years.
Because it develops gradually, sporotrichosis is sometimes mistaken for insect bites or bacterial infections. However, it’s a serious infection that must be properly treated to prevent damage to internal organs such as the lungs or liver.
What causes rose gardener’s disease?
Sporotrichosis is caused by sporothrix fungi, which thrive in warm, humid environments like Miami and other areas in the southern U.S. Gardening and landscaping are classic risk factors, particularly when handling rose bushes, mulch, hay or soil without gloves. It is often caused by a thorn puncture.
Another increasingly recognized source is cats. Infected cats can carry the fungus in their claws or skin lesions, and scratches or bites can transmit the infection to humans. This has led to outbreaks in warmer regions like Brazil and other areas in Latin America, where feline sporotrichosis is more prevalent.
How is sporotrichosis treated?
When diagnosed correctly and early, sporotrichosis is very treatable with an oral prescription antifungal medication that you take for three to four months. Itraconazole, the most common medication used to treat sporotrichosis, can cross-react with statins and other medications, so discuss all the medications you are taking with your doctor before beginning any new medication.
Because sporotrichosis is caused by a fungal infection, antibiotics do not work to treat it. This is why an accurate diagnosis is so important.
How to prevent sporotrichosis
The good news is that preventing sporotrichosis is pretty straightforward. If you garden, especially around rose bushes or mulch, wearing thick gloves, long sleeves, and pants is the best way to prevent this condition. Make sure you cover any cuts or scrapes before digging in the dirt, and wash your hands and skin afterward.
Bottom line
Although generally rare in the U.S., rose gardener’s disease is more prevalent in warm, humid climates like Miami, so it’s a good idea to play it safe and always wear gloves while gardening or digging in soil.
Dr. Leslie Baumann
I am now seeing patients at Body and Beauty in Palm Beach and will begin in Bay Harbor Islands on April 20. Questions/comments? Come ask me on reddit r/skintypesolutions