Disease name and synonyms Athlete’s foot, tinea pedis (dermatophytosis of the foot) |
Fungi responsible (links to these) Trichophyton rubrum, T. interdigitale, , rarely other species |
Disease description The most common infection is between the toes, especially between the 4th and 5th toes and 3rd and 4th toes. Cracking with a painful fissure is the commonest symptom. Infection of the whole of the foot with a scaling eczema reaction and fissuring of the heel is also common (moccasin type). Occasionally an inflammatory reaction of the feet is seen. |
Frequency and global burden Fungal infection of the skin, hair or nails affects ~25% of the world’s population (~1.5 billion) |
Underlying problems and at risk patients Athlete’s foot affects anyone at any age, but is more common in those who have dampness between their toes relates to sports, swimming, frequent bathing or hot climates without drying between the toe webs. |
Diagnostic testing Microscopy and fungal culture |
Treatments Terbinafine 1% cream or clotrimazole 1% cream for athlete’s foot, Oral itraconazole or terbinafine for moccasin type infection for 3 weeks |
Outlook and prognosis Responds well to therapy but tends to recur. Lower leg cellulitis complicates athlete’s foot. |
Link http://www.ifd.org/protocols_tineapedis.htm
Images
Athlete’s foot between the toes
Moccasin type tinea pedis requiring oral antifungal therapy
Extensive flaking and fissuring, so typical of severe moccasin type T. rubrum tinea pedis.