- Tinea pedis is dermatophyte infection of the feet.
- Its distribution is International-wide, however more common in nations the place there’s
able get admission to to communal sports activities or bathing facilities.
Causal organisms:
- Trichophyton rubrum is the most common cause.
- Epidermophyton floccosum and T. mentagrophytes var.interdigitale are also seen.
- Not unusual condition often reduced in size via strolling barefoot
on contaminated floors. - Extensive sweating and occlusive sneakers predispose to
the condition. - Infection with the moulds Scytalidium dimidiatum (Hendersonulatoruloidea) and S. hyalinum is clinically indistinguishable.
Clinical manifestations:
3 types are recognized:
- acute or chronic interdigital infection: itching, peeling,
maceration and fissuring of toe webs - chronic hyperkeratotic (moccasin or dry type): high quality, white
scaling restricted to heels, soles and lateral borders of toes - vesicular (inflammatory) infection: vesicle formation on
soles, instep and interdigital cleft. Secondary bacterial or yeast infection is also possible.
Diagnosis:
Microscopy
- Direct microscopy of pores and skin scrapings softened with KOH unearths
branching hyphae without or with arthrospores.
Culture
- Isolation of the dermatophyte at 28°C permits identification.
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