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Sporotrichosis is a long term skin infection due to a fungus called Sporothrix Schencki (which is found in plants). It is also commonly known also known as "Rose gardener's disease" because people and even animals can get this infection from a cut from a plant (for example a rose thorn). The infection usually occurs when the skin has been cut while handling plant materials such as rosebushes, briars, or mulch-rich dirt. This fungal disease usually affects the skin although other rare forms can affect the lungs, joints, bones and even the brain in some cases.

The first symptom is usually a small painless bump that looks as if it is an insect bite. It can be red, pink, or purple in color. The bump usually appears on the finger, hand, or arm where the fungus first enters through a cut in the skin. This is followed by one or more additional bumps which resembles a boil. Eventually lesions look like open sores and are very slow to heal. The infection can spread to other areas of the body as well. In more serious cases the fungus follows lymph nodes in the body, causing small ulcers to appear on the skin as the infection goes up an arm or leg. These lesions do not heal unless treated and may remain ulcerated for years. If the infection affects the entire body it can cause lung and breathing problems, bone infection, arthritis, and infection of the nervous system. The first bump may appear any time from one to twelve weeks after your skin has been exposed to the fungus. Usually the bumps are visible within three weeks after the fungus enters the skin.

A physical examination by a doctor reveals the lesions caused by the fungus. In some cases, a small sample of affected tissue is taken from the body and examined under a microscope to identify the fungus. If you have symptoms of Sporotrichosis it is very important that you go to a doctor so you are able to confirm if you have the infection or not so the doctor can prove you with the right treatment.

The skin infection is usually treated with a medicine called itraconazole. A new drug, called Sporanox, is available for treatment, but experience with this drug is still limited. Treatment is often extended over a number of weeks, until the skin lesions are completely healed. The drug is taken by mouth and continued for two to four weeks after the skin lesions have healed.

With treatment, full recovery can be expected. Disseminated sporotrichosis is more difficult to treat and it requires more complex medicine. Disseminated sporotrichosis can also be life-threatening for some people.

There are in fact some ways in which you can lower your risk in getting Sporotrichosis. For example gloves should be worn while handling or treating affected animals, particularly cats and dogs. After the gloves are removed your hands should be washed thoroughly and disinfected. Protective clothing such as gloves, long-sleeved shirts, and