Tinea Pedis - Symptoms & Treatment

Tinea pedis is a skin infection of the feet. In common terms this disorder is known as "athlete's foot". It can occur at any age but is more common in adults. Tinea pedis may be accompanied by dermatophyte infection of other parts of the body including groin, hands or nails. It is estimated to affect about 15% of the population at large, being more common in closed communities such army barracks and boarding schools, in warm weather, among those frequenting swimming pools, and when the feet are occluded with nonporous shoes. Tinea pedis is estimated to be present in about 40% of all patients who attend clinics for any medical concern . Those patients with more severe symptoms seek medical help and often have concomitant fungal infection of the toenails . There are many undiagnosed cases, many of which may be asymptomatic and unsuspecting of having tinea pedis and be a possible source of infection for others. Chronic infection is common in patients with concomitant diabetes, atopy, and immunosuppression. In an increasingly aging population and with the increasing numbers of immunocompromised patients, tinea is emerging as an important and a significantly prevalent infection.

An infection of the feet (or hands) with mould-like fungi called dermatophytes.  The most common fungal disease in humans, tinea pedis may be passed to humans by direct contact with infected people, infected animals, contaminated objects (such as towels or locker room floors), or the soil. Tinea pedis is most commonly caused by Trichophyton rubrum, a dermatophyte initially endemic only in a small region of Southeast Asia and in parts of Africa and Australia. Interestingly, tinea pedis was not noted in these areas then, possibly because these populations did not wear occlusive footwear. The colonization of the T rubrum endemic regions by European nations helped to spread the fungus throughout Europe. Wars with accompanying mass movements of troops and refugees, the general increase in available means of travel, and the rise in the use of occlusive footwear have all combined to make T rubrum the world's most prevalent dermatophyte.

Causes of Tinea Pedis

Find common causes and risk factors of Tinea Pedis :

Athlete's foot is a fungal infection of the foot caused by parasites on the skin called dermatophytes. There are at least four dermatophytes that can cause athlete's foot. The most common is trichophyton rubrum.This fungus is contagious and therefore it generally is contracted through direct or indirect contact in public places like showers or locker rooms and in swimming pools and whirlpools. The fungi love warm, moist places with the result they are primarily a problem for people who wear tight-fitting trainers or don't dry their feet properly. The condition is contagious. It can be spread by direct skin-to-skin contact and indirectly through towels, shoes, floors, etc.

• Tinea pedis is caused by a fungus that is only mildly contagious. Everyone is exposed to the fungus which causes tinea pedis; why only some people get it is unknown.

Signs and Symptoms of Tinea Pedis

Sign and symptoms may include the following :

• Itching and burning.
• Redness and swelling.
• Scaly or peeling skin.
• Cracking.
• Blisters that break and leave open, raw areas.

Treatment for Tinea Pedis

Treatment may include :

• Severe cases of tinea pedis may benefit from Paravex , a potent natural solution or require griseofulvin, an antifungal medication taken by mouth.
• If you have a tendency to develop tinea pedis, you should wear socks which are at least 60% cotton.
• Sometimes infection with bacteria complicates tinea pedis and antibiotics are needed to kill the germs.
• Lotrimin cream is an antifungal agent.
• Wear socks.
• Griseofulvin, an antifungal medication.