Sporotrichosis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Sporotrichosis?
An infectious disease doctor, a doctor who treats infections caused by germs such as fungi, usually treats sporotrichosis. A dermatologist, a doctor who treats skin conditions, may also help. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is sporotrichosis?
Sporotrichosis is a fungal skin infection caused by Sporothrix, a fungus that lives in soil and on plants. It affects both people and animals. It is also called rose gardener's disease. Usually it causes a skin infection. Less commonly, it can cause eye or lung infections. Very rarely, the infection can spread to other parts of the body.
Symptoms
Symptoms depend on how and where the fungus gets into the body. Most infections are through the skin. Symptoms start anytime from 1 to 12 weeks after exposure. Types of infection and their symptoms include:
- Skin: a small painless red, purple, or pink bump on the skin. More bumps may appear and grow larger. Eventually they may pus and become open sores.
- Eye: redness of the eye, redness or swelling of the eyelid, eye pain, and possible vision changes.
- Lung: cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, and fever.
- Widespread (disseminated): the infection spreads to another part of the body, such as bones, joints, or the nervous system.
Most skin sores are on the hands and forearms, because these areas are often hurt when handling plants. Small ulcers appear as lines on the skin as the infection moves up an arm or leg. These sores do not heal unless they are treated, and they may last for years.
Causes and who gets it
Sporothrix lives in soil and on plants like sphagnum moss, rose bushes, and hay. People get infected when Sporothrix gets in cuts or scrapes. Examples are pricks from rose thorns or scratches from an infected cat. In the U.S., most infections are caused by contact with plant matter.
Gardening, forestry work, and baling hay raise the risk. It can be a job-related disease for farmers, rose gardeners, and plant nursery workers. Cats can pass the infection to people through bites, scratches, or even sneezes. Sporotrichosis is not the same thing as cat-scratch disease, which is a bacterial illness spread by cats.
Widespread infections typically only affect people with weakened immune systems. Risk factors include diabetes, COPD, alcohol use disorder, or HIV.
How doctors diagnose it
Your doctor will examine you and ask about your symptoms. The exam will show the typical sores caused by the fungus. Your doctor may look at a swab or scrape from a skin sore under a microscope. Your doctor may also send a small tissue sample, called a biopsy, for lab testing. Sporotrichosis is best diagnosed by a culture of samples taken from the body. Blood tests may help diagnose severe sporotrichosis, but usually cannot diagnose skin infections.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the type of infection. Skin infections are often treated with itraconazole, an antifungal medicine taken by mouth. Terbinafine may be used instead. Treatment often takes 3 to 6 months or longer.
Lung or widespread sporotrichosis needs at least a year of antifungal medicine, including amphotericin B given through a vein and itraconazole by mouth. People with lung infections may also need surgery to cut away the infected tissue. With treatment, full recovery is likely, although widespread infection is more difficult to treat.
When to see a doctor
Contact your provider if you develop skin lumps or skin ulcers that do not go away. Tell your provider if you know you were exposed to plants from gardening. Widespread sporotrichosis can be life threatening for people with a weakened immune system, so they should seek care early.
Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have severe trouble breathing, chest pain lasting two minutes or more, fainting, or sudden confusion.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either kind of doctor can look at a skin sore, arrange testing, and refer you to an infectious disease doctor or a dermatologist when needed.
Common questions
What is rose gardener's disease?
Rose gardener's disease is another name for sporotrichosis. People can get it from pricks from rose thorns.
How do you get sporotrichosis?
You get sporotrichosis when Sporothrix gets in cuts or scrapes on your skin. The fungus lives in soil and on plants, and cats can also pass it on through bites or scratches.
Can sporotrichosis be prevented?
Yes, you can lower your risk by wearing gloves, pants, and long sleeves when touching plant matter. You should also avoid contact with cats that have sores or wounds.
How long does sporotrichosis treatment last?
Treatment for a skin infection often takes 3 to 6 months or longer. Lung or widespread infections need at least a year of antifungal medicine.
Sources
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Sporotrichosis Basics
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Clinical Overview of Sporotrichosis
- MedlinePlus - Sporotrichosis
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
