BACKGROUND: Tinea Nigra is a rare, chronic fungal infection of the stratum corneum of the epidermis. It is caused by a filamentous fungus (Phaeoannellomyces werneckii) and is characterized by brownish stains, with clear, nondesquamative and asymptomatic borders, commonly located on the palms of the hand. OBJECTIVES: To register the presence of cases of Tinea Nigra in Espírito Santo state and describe its epidemiological characteristics. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cases clinically diagnosed as Tinea Nigra were sought among the patients submitted to laboratory examinations in order to define fungus presence at the Dermatology Service laboratory in Vitória, from January 1, 1998 to January 1, 2003. RESULTS: Nine cases of Tinea Nigra were found, all of them affecting Caucasian persons, with damage located on one of the palms of the hands; seven cases (77.7%) were female, six cases (66.6%) were preschool children. All of the cases had laboratorial confirmation. CONCLUSIONS: a) Nine cases of Tinea Nigra were found, even in the seaside beach region; b) Caucasians, women and children were most commonly affected; c) the common localization is on the palm of the hands, mainly on the left hand.
epidemiology; exophiala; tinea
