Tinea pedis, or Athletes Foot, is a skin infection of the feet or toes. This is caused by a group of fungi called dermatophytes. Typically they thrive within warm and moist environments such as bathrooms, swimming pool and gym changing rooms, socks and shoes meaning our feet are continually at risk as these too are frequently exposed to such areas. Athletes foot can occur on the soles of your feet but most commonly between your toes.
Dermatophytes known as Trichophyton rubrum and, to a lesser extent, T. mentagrophytes var. interdigitale, which between them made up around 90% of fungal foot infections in the UK in 2005 lie dormant in environments as aforementioned, fungal spores are then contracted where they adhere to the stratum corneum, which is the top layer of the skin.
If the skin can provide the optimum environment, namely, moist and warm the spores shall germinate within 24 hours.
Whilst Tinea Pedis is rarely a threat to life, it can affect quality of life. Approximately 34% of the population are thought to be suffering from Tinea Pedis. There is evidence to suggest that those of us who reside in the Northern parts of Europe are more likely to suffer from Tinea Pedis due to the longer, damp winters where we enclose our feet for more months in the year than our counterparts in Southern Europe.
Always seek medical assistance in the diagnosis of Athletes Foot to ensure that the best course of treatment is undertaken.
There are various different topical treatments for Tinea Pedis which come in an array of applications such as creams, gels and sprays. Most of which are available over the counter at the pharmacy however, Helen Jones of South Devon Foot Clinic is licensed to carry, supply and sell such products in line with Health & Care Professions Council POM-s and POM-a annotations to the BSc Podiatry with Honors degree she carries.
Studies conducted conclude that topical allyalmine products containing terbinafine and miconazole and clotrimazole of the azole group of medications showed best results for treatment.
Should topical applications be ineffective or the presentation of fungal infection appear globally then a course of oral terbinafine products may be recommended. Mycology testing would be recommended prior to moving forward for their treatment option to ascertain exact presentation of pathogens. However this course of treatment would be managed with caution and would be dependent upon any pre-existing comorbidities.
Taking the following steps to prevent picking up Athletes foot is a good habit to adapt long term:
““Tea tree oil cream (10% w/w) appears to reduce the symptomatology of tinea pedis as effectively as tolnaftate 1% but is no more effective than placebo in achieving a mycological cure.” Tong, Altman & Barnetson (1992)
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