Final answer:
It is false that you need to wait 2 weeks to start treatment of a cutaneous fungal infection. Treatments, including CDT and anti-fungal medications, should begin immediately upon diagnosis to prevent the infection from worsening or becoming invasive.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement suggesting that treatment of cutaneous fungal infections should be delayed for 2 weeks before starting CDT (Complete Decongestive Therapy) is false. For fungal infections of the skin, such as those caused by Trichophyton rubrum, the initiating of treatment should occur promptly upon diagnosis to prevent the condition from worsening or becoming invasive, especially in immunocompromised patients.
Positive identification and treatment of dermatophytes, like ringworm, involve culturing the pathogen and providing anti-fungal medications. These medications may include topical treatments such as clotrimazole and can be prescription-based or over-the-counter, depending on the specific needs and diagnosis of the patient. If a patient does not respond to treatment within a reasonable amount of time, typically a couple of weeks, further diagnostic steps should be taken to identify the species of fungus and adjust treatment accordingly. Waiting two weeks to begin treatment of a fungal infection could potentially lead to unnecessary complications.