tinea pedis

Question 1

What is Tinea Pedis what causative organisms are involved
what do dermatophytes do

Answer 1

1. Fungal infection of the foot predominantley caused by dermatophytes also known as thletes foot
2. Four most common causatvie organisms are T-Rumrum T- Mentagrophytes and T- Interdigitale and Epidermiphyton floccosum

dermatophyte attach to the stratum corneum breaking down keratin and subsequently feeding off it

Question 2

What are the main types of Tinea Pedis

Answer 2

1. Interdigital:
   * occurs in between the toes (commonly 4th and 5th digit)
   * Can have visible maceration
2. Moccasin:
   * covers plantar aspect and sides of the foot
   * commonly caused by t-rubrum
   * visible demarcated scaling
3. Vesicolobullus
   * Arches and soles of feet
   * Inflammatory varient with erythamatous base
4. Ulcerative
   *Has vesicles pustules accompanied by ulceration

Question 3

what is the Aetiology of tinea pedis 5

Answer 3

Pre Disposing:
* Immunosupressed
* Diabetes
* Hyperhydrosis
* Occlusive footwear
* exposure to communal areas e.g. shower, changing rooms

Question 4

Management of Tinea Pedis

Answer 4

• Range of treatments depending on patient, severity of infection refer to NICE guidelines for specifcs
• Topical antifungal for mild infection
• Oral antifungal for servere cases
• Some treatments include terbinafine, Itraconazole, grisofulvin
• Skin sample can be used to confirm infection

Question 5

Advice on managing tinea Pedis 6

Answer 5

• Avoid occlusive footwear
• wear cotton absorbent socks
• wash and dry the feet thouroughly
• change footwear every 2-3 days wear applicable
• avoid scratching
• wear protective footwear when using communal areas

Question 6

Diagnosis of tinea pedis

Answer 6

Can be diagnosed by the clinical presentation if suspected fungal infection ask the following:
* nature, site and duration of any symptomns
* any co morbidities
* any previous treatments
* Any infected family members

Take skin smaples for fungal microsocpy:
* scrape the skin from the edge of the affected area
* collect 5mm2 of skin flakes to send off for mycroscopy

Question 7

Signs and symptoms of tinea pedis

Answer 7

• Scaling edges
• web space fissures
• maceration
• itching