The infection builds at the site over the years, and a small red papule (skin elevation) appears.

Usually, the infection slowly spreads to the surrounding tissue while remaining localized to the area around the original wound.

In many cases, the patient will not notice or remember the initial trauma, as symptoms often do not appear for years.

The fungi most commonly observed to cause chromoblastomycosis are: Over months to years, an erythematous papule appears at the site of inoculation.

[citation needed] The most informative test is to scrape the lesion and add potassium hydroxide (KOH), then examine it under a microscope.

Special stains, such as periodic acid Schiff and Gömöri methenamine silver, can be used to demonstrate the fungal organisms if needed.

At least one study found a correlation between walking barefoot in endemic areas and the occurrence of chromoblastomycosis on the foot.

[citation needed] Chromoblastomycosis occurs globally, most commonly in rural areas in tropical or subtropical climates.

[15] Chromoblastomycosis is considered a neglected tropical disease, affects mainly people living in poverty, and causes considerable morbidity, stigma, and discrimination.