athlete's foot

File:Athlete's foot.JPG

Athlete's foot is divided into four categories or presentations: chronic interdigital, plantar (chronic scaly; aka "moccasin foot"), acute ulcerative, and vesiculobullous.{{cite web|url=http://dermatology.about.com/cs/fungalinfections/a/athletesfoot.htm|title=Athlete's Foot|access-date=26 May 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101206105110/http://dermatology.about.com/cs/fungalinfections/a/athletesfoot.htm|archive-date=6 December 2010}}{{cite journal | vauthors = Tlougan BE, Mancini AJ, Mandell JA, Cohen DE, Sanchez MR | title = Skin conditions in figure skaters, ice-hockey players and speed skaters: part II - cold-induced, infectious and inflammatory dermatoses | journal = Sports Medicine | volume = 41 | issue = 11 | pages = 967–984 | date = November 2011 | pmid = 21985216 | doi = 10.2165/11592190-000000000-00000 | s2cid = 20771331 }} "Interdigital" means between the toes. "Plantar" here refers to the sole of the foot. The ulcerative condition includes macerated lesions with scaly borders. Maceration is the softening and breaking down of skin due to extensive exposure to moisture. A vesiculobullous disease is a type of mucocutaneous disease characterized by vesicles and bullae (blisters). Both vesicles and bullae are fluid-filled lesions, and they are distinguished by size (vesicles being less than 5 mm and bullae being larger than 5 mm, depending upon what definition is used).{{Cite journal |last1=Kandemir |first1=Nilüfer Onak |last2=Barut |first2=Figen |last3=Gün |first3=Banu Doğan |last4=Tekin |first4=Nilgün Solak |last5=Keser |first5=Sevinç Hallaç |last6=Özdamar |first6=Şükrü Oğuz |date=December 2012 |title=Histopathological analysis of vesicular and bullous lesions in Kaposi sarcoma |journal=Diagnostic Pathology |language=en |volume=7 |issue=1 |page=101 |doi=10.1186/1746-1596-7-101 |doi-access=free |issn=1746-1596 |pmc=3488507 |pmid=22894735}}

Athlete's foot occurs most often between the toes (interdigital), with the space between the fourth and fifth digits (the little toe and the fore toe) most commonly affected.{{cite journal | vauthors = Al Hasan M, Fitzgerald SM, Saoudian M, Krishnaswamy G | title = Dermatology for the practicing allergist: Tinea pedis and its complications | journal = Clinical and Molecular Allergy | volume = 2 | issue = 1 | pages = 5 | date = March 2004 | pmid = 15050029 | pmc = 419368 | doi = 10.1186/1476-7961-2-5 | doi-access = free }}{{cite journal | vauthors = Hainer BL | title = Dermatophyte infections | journal = American Family Physician | volume = 67 | issue = 1 | pages = 101–108 | date = January 2003 | pmid = 12537173 }}{{cite journal | vauthors = Hirschmann JV, Raugi GJ | title = Pustular tinea pedis | journal = Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology | volume = 42 | issue = 1 Pt 1 | pages = 132–133 | date = January 2000 | pmid = 10607333 | doi = 10.1016/S0190-9622(00)90022-7 }} Cases of interdigital athlete's foot caused by Trichophyton rubrum may be symptomless, it may itch, or the skin between the toes may appear red or ulcerative (scaly, flaky, or soft and white if skin has been kept wet),{{cite journal | vauthors = Likness LP | title = Common dermatologic infections in athletes and return-to-play guidelines | journal = The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association | volume = 111 | issue = 6 | pages = 373–379 | date = June 2011 | pmid = 21771922 | doi = 10.7556/jaoa.2011.111.6.373 | doi-access = free }} with or without itching. An acute ulcerative variant of interdigital athlete's foot caused by T. mentagrophytes is characterized by pain, maceration of the skin, erosions and fissuring of the skin, crusting, and an odor due to secondary bacterial infection.

Plantar athlete's foot (moccasin foot) is also caused by T. rubrum which typically causes asymptomatic, slightly erythematous plaques (areas of redness of the skin) to form on the plantar surface (sole) of the foot that are often covered by fine, powdery hyperkeratotic scales.

The vesiculobullous type of athlete's foot is less common and is usually caused by T. mentagrophytes and is characterized by a sudden outbreak of itchy blisters and vesicles on an erythematous base, usually appearing on the sole of the foot. This subtype of athlete's foot is often complicated by secondary bacterial infection by Streptococcus pyogenes or Staphylococcus aureus.

As the disease progresses, the skin may crack, leading to bacterial skin infection and inflammation of the lymphatic vessels.[http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/dermatologic_disorders/fungal_skin_infections/tinea_pedis.html The Merck Manual Professional Edition tinea pedis page] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128113155/http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/dermatologic_disorders/fungal_skin_infections/tinea_pedis.html |date=28 January 2015 }}. Retrieved 16 January 2015. If allowed to grow for too long, athlete's foot fungus may spread to infect the toenails,National Health Service webpage on [http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Athletes-foot/Pages/Introduction.aspx Athlete's Foot] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150114062758/http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Athletes-foot/Pages/Introduction.aspx |date=14 January 2015 }}. Retrieved 14 January 2015. feeding on the keratin in them, a condition called onychomycosis.{{cite journal | vauthors = Flint WW, Cain JD | title = Nail and skin disorders of the foot | journal = The Medical Clinics of North America | volume = 98 | issue = 2 | pages = 213–225 | date = March 2014 | pmid = 24559870 | doi = 10.1016/j.mcna.2013.11.002 }}

Because athlete's foot may itch, it may also elicit the scratch reflex, causing the host to scratch the infected area before they realize it. Scratching can further damage the skin and worsen the condition by allowing the fungus to more easily spread and thrive. The itching sensation associated with athlete's foot can be so severe that it may cause hosts to scratch vigorously enough to inflict excoriations (open wounds), which are susceptible to bacterial infection. Further scratching may remove scabs, inhibiting the healing process. Scratching infected areas may also spread the fungus to the fingers and under the fingernails. If not washed away soon enough, it can infect the fingers and fingernails, growing in the skin and in the nails (not just underneath). After scratching, it can be spread to wherever the person touches, including other parts of the body and to one's environment. Scratching also causes infected skin scales to fall off into one's environment, leading to further possible spread. When athlete's foot fungus or infested skin particles spread to one's environment (such as to clothes, shoes, bathroom, etc.) whether through scratching, falling, or rubbing off, not only can they infect other people, they can also reinfect (or further infect) the host they came from. For example, infected feet infest one's socks and shoes which further expose the feet to the fungus and its spores when worn again.{{citation needed|date=July 2020}}

The ease with which the fungus spreads to other areas of the body (on one's fingers) poses another complication. When the fungus is spread to other parts of the body, it can easily be spread back to the feet after the feet have been treated. And because the condition is called something else in each place it takes hold (e.g., tinea corporis (ringworm) or tinea cruris (jock itch)), persons infected may not be aware it is the same disease.{{cn|date=February 2023}}

Some individuals may experience an allergic response to the fungus called an id reaction in which blisters or vesicles can appear in areas such as the hands, chest, and arms.{{cite journal | vauthors = Ilkit M, Durdu M, Karakaş M | title = Cutaneous id reactions: a comprehensive review of clinical manifestations, epidemiology, etiology, and management | journal = Critical Reviews in Microbiology | volume = 38 | issue = 3 | pages = 191–202 | date = August 2012 | pmid = 22300403 | doi = 10.3109/1040841X.2011.645520 | s2cid = 43906095 }} Treatment of the underlying infection typically results in the disappearance of the id reaction.

Athlete's foot is a form of dermatophytosis (fungal infection of the skin), caused by dermatophytes, funguses (most of which are mold) which inhabit dead layers of skin and digest keratin. Dermatophytes are anthropophilic, meaning these parasitic funguses prefer human hosts. Athlete's foot is most commonly caused by the molds known as Trichophyton rubrum and T. mentagrophytes,{{cite journal | vauthors = Havlickova B, Czaika VA, Friedrich M | title = Epidemiological trends in skin mycoses worldwide | journal = Mycoses | volume = 51 | issue = Supplement 4 | pages = 2–15 | date = September 2008 | pmid = 18783559 | doi = 10.1111/j.1439-0507.2008.01606.x | s2cid = 3398710 }} but may also be caused by Epidermophyton floccosum.{{cite journal | vauthors = Rivera ZS, Losada L, Nierman WC | title = Back to the future for dermatophyte genomics | journal = mBio | volume = 3 | issue = 6 | pages = e00381–12 | date = October 2012 | pmid = 23111872 | pmc = 3487774 | doi = 10.1128/mBio.00381-12 }}{{cite journal | vauthors = Andrews MD, Burns M | title = Common tinea infections in children | journal = American Family Physician | volume = 77 | issue = 10 | pages = 1415–1420 | date = May 2008 | pmid = 18533375 | url = http://www.aafp.org/afp/2008/0515/p1415.html | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131109010919/http://www.aafp.org/afp/2008/0515/p1415.html | archive-date = 9 November 2013 }} Most cases of athlete's foot in the general population are caused by T. rubrum; however, the majority of athlete's foot cases in athletes are caused by T. mentagrophytes.

According to the UK's National Health Service, "Athlete's foot is very contagious and can be spread through direct and indirect contact."[http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Athletes-foot/Pages/Causes.aspx National Health Service's webpage on Athlete's Foot causes] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150114110439/http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Athletes-foot/Pages/Causes.aspx |date=14 January 2015 }} The disease may spread to others directly when they touch the infection. People can contract the disease indirectly by coming into contact with contaminated items (clothes, towels, etc.) or surfaces (such as bathroom, shower, or locker room floors). The funguses that cause athlete's foot can easily spread to one's environment. Funguses rub off of fingers and bare feet, but also travel on the dead skin cells that continually fall off the body. Athlete's foot funguses and infested skin particles and flakes may spread to socks, shoes, clothes, to other people, pets (via petting), bed sheets, bathtubs, showers, sinks, counters, towels, rugs, floors, and carpets.

When the fungus has spread to pets, it can subsequently spread to the hands and fingers of people who pet them. If a pet frequently gnaws upon itself, it might not be fleas it is reacting to, it may be the insatiable itch of tinea.

One way to contract athlete's foot is to get a fungal infection somewhere else on the body first. The funguses causing athlete's foot may spread from other areas of the body to the feet, usually by touching or scratching the affected area, thereby getting the fungus on the fingers, and then touching or scratching the feet. While the fungus remains the same, the name of the condition changes based on where on the body the infection is located. For example, the infection is known as tinea corporis ("ringworm") when the torso or limbs are affected or tinea cruris (jock itch or dhobi itch) when the groin is affected. Clothes (or shoes), body heat, and sweat can keep the skin warm and moist, just the environment the fungus needs to thrive.

Besides being exposed to any of the modes of transmission presented above, there are additional risk factors that increase one's chance of contracting athlete's foot. Persons who have had athlete's foot before are more likely to become infected than those who have not. Adults are more likely to catch athlete's foot than children. Men have a higher chance of getting athlete's foot than women.[http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/athletes-foot/basics/risk-factors/con-20014892 Mayo Clinic website, Athlete's Foot Risk Factors] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150207152010/http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/athletes-foot/basics/risk-factors/con-20014892 |date=7 February 2015 }} People with diabetes or weakened immune systems are more susceptible to the disease. HIV/AIDS hampers the immune system and increases the risk of acquiring athlete's foot. Hyperhidrosis (abnormally increased sweating) increases the risk of infection and makes treatment more difficult.[http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/dermatologic_disorders/fungal_skin_infections/tinea_pedis.html The Merck Manual Professional Edition. Tinea Pedis] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128113155/http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/dermatologic_disorders/fungal_skin_infections/tinea_pedis.html |date=28 January 2015 }}

File:Athlete's Foot Fungus microscope.jpg view of cultured athlete's foot fungus]]

When visiting a doctor, the basic diagnosis procedure applies. This includes checking the patient's medical history and medical record for risk factors, a medical interview during which the doctor asks questions (such as about itching and scratching), and a physical examination. Athlete's foot can usually be diagnosed by visual inspection of the skin and by identifying less obvious symptoms such as itching of the affected area.

If the diagnosis is uncertain, direct microscopy of a potassium hydroxide preparation of a skin scraping (known as a KOH test) can confirm the diagnosis of athlete's foot and help rule out other possible causes, such as candidiasis, pitted keratolysis, erythrasma, contact dermatitis, eczema, or psoriasis.{{cite journal | vauthors = del Palacio A, Garau M, Gonzalez-Escalada A, Calvo MT |title=Trends in the treatment of dermatophytosis |journal=Biology of Dermatophytes and Other Keratinophilic Fungi |pages=148–158 |url= http://www.dermatophytes.reviberoammicol.com/p148158.pdf |access-date=10 October 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070710120903/http://www.dermatophytes.reviberoammicol.com/p148158.pdf |archive-date=10 July 2007 }} Dermatophytes known to cause athlete's foot will demonstrate multiple septate branching hyphae on microscopy.

A Wood's lamp (black light), although useful in diagnosing fungal infections of the scalp (tinea capitis), is not usually helpful in diagnosing athlete's foot, since the common dermatophytes that cause this disease do not fluoresce under ultraviolet light.

There are several preventive foot hygiene measures that can prevent athlete's foot and reduce recurrence. Some of these include: keeping the feet dry; clipping toenails short; using a separate nail clipper for infected toenails; using socks made from well-ventilated cotton or synthetic moisture wicking materials (to soak moisture away from the skin to help keep it dry); avoiding tight-fitting footwear; changing socks frequently; and wearing sandals while walking through communal areas such as gym showers and locker rooms.{{cite journal | vauthors = De Luca JF, Adams BB, Yosipovitch G | title = Skin manifestations of athletes competing in the summer Olympics: what a sports medicine physician should know | journal = Sports Medicine | volume = 42 | issue = 5 | pages = 399–413 | date = May 2012 | pmid = 22512412 | doi = 10.2165/11599050-000000000-00000 | s2cid = 13422078 }}{{Cite magazine|title=Help Clients Prevent Athlete's Foot |url=https://www.nailsmag.com/377984/help-clients-prevent-athletes-foot |date= February 5, 2019 |access-date=2023-08-08 |magazine=Nails |language=en-us}}

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "Nails should be clipped short and kept clean. Nails can house and spread the infection."[https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/hygiene/disease/athletes_foot.html Centers for Disease Control webpage on Athlete's Foot] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160130022213/http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/hygiene/disease/athletes_foot.html |date=30 January 2016 }}. Retrieved 11 January 2015. Recurrence of athlete's foot can be prevented with the use of antifungal powder on the feet.

The funguses (molds) that cause athlete's foot require warmth and moisture to survive and grow. There is an increased risk of infection with exposure to warm, moist environments (e.g., occlusive footwear—shoes or boots that enclose the feet) and in shared humid environments such as communal showers, shared pools, and treatment tubs. Chlorine bleach is a disinfectant and common household cleaner that kills mold. Cleaning surfaces with a chlorine bleach solution prevents the disease from spreading from subsequent contact. Cleaning bathtubs, showers, bathroom floors, sinks, and counters with bleach helps prevent the spread of the disease, including reinfection.

Keeping socks and shoes clean (using bleach in the wash) is one way to prevent funguses from taking hold and spreading. Avoiding the sharing of boots and shoes is another way to prevent transmission. Athlete's foot can be transmitted by sharing footwear with an infected person. Not sharing also applies to towels, because, though less common, funguses can be passed along on towels, especially damp ones.

Athlete's foot resolves without medication in 30 to 40% of cases.[http://www.aafp.org/afp/20010901/791.html Over-the-Counter Foot Remedies] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929095657/http://www.aafp.org/afp/20010901/791.html |date=29 September 2007 }} (American Family Physician) Topical antifungal medication consistently produces much higher rates of cure.{{cite journal | vauthors = Crawford F, Hollis S | title = Topical treatments for fungal infections of the skin and nails of the foot | journal = The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews | volume = 2007 | issue = 3 | pages = CD001434 | date = July 2007 | pmid = 17636672 | pmc = 7073424 | doi = 10.1002/14651858.CD001434.pub2 | veditors = Crawford F | format = Review }}

Conventional treatment typically involves thoroughly washing the feet daily or twice daily, followed by the application of a topical medication. Because the outer skin layers are damaged and susceptible to reinfection, topical treatment generally continues until all layers of the skin are replaced, about 2 to 6 weeks after symptoms disappear. Keeping feet dry and practicing good hygiene (as described in the above section on prevention) is crucial for killing the fungus and preventing reinfection.

Treating the feet is not always enough. Once socks or shoes are infested with funguses, wearing them again can reinfect (or further infect) the feet. Socks can be effectively cleaned in the wash by adding bleach or by washing in water {{cvt|60|C}}.{{cite web |url=https://www.walsallhealthcare.nhs.uk/Data/Sites/1/media/documents/podiatry-webpage/athletes-foot-and-fungal-nail-infections.pdf |title=Fungal Infections | work = Podiatry Service, Wlsall Health Care | publisher = National Health Service | location = UK | date = July 2011 |access-date=2017-09-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170926042428/https://www.walsallhealthcare.nhs.uk/Data/Sites/1/media/documents/podiatry-webpage/athletes-foot-and-fungal-nail-infections.pdf |archive-date=26 September 2017 }}

To be effective, treatment includes all infected areas (such as toenails, hands, torso, etc.). Otherwise, the infection may continue to spread, including back to treated areas. For example, leaving fungal infection of the nail untreated may allow it to spread back to the rest of the foot, to become athlete's foot once again.

Systematic review found that allylamines such as terbinafine are not more efficacious than azoles for the treatment of athlete's foot.{{cite journal | vauthors = Rotta I, Sanchez A, Gonçalves PR, Otuki MF, Correr CJ | title = Efficacy and safety of topical antifungals in the treatment of dermatomycosis: a systematic review | journal = The British Journal of Dermatology | volume = 166 | issue = 5 | pages = 927–933 | date = May 2012 | pmid = 22233283 | doi = 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2012.10815.x | s2cid = 2657963 | doi-access = free }}

Severe or prolonged fungal skin infections may require treatment with oral antifungal medication.

There are many topical antifungal drugs useful in the treatment of athlete's foot including: miconazole nitrate, clotrimazole, tolnaftate (a synthetic thiocarbamate), terbinafine hydrochloride, butenafine hydrochloride and undecylenic acid. The fungal infection may be treated with topical antifungal agents, which can take the form of a spray, powder, cream, or gel. Topical application of an antifungal cream such as butenafine once daily for one week or terbinafine once daily for two weeks is effective in most cases of athlete's foot and is more effective than application of miconazole or clotrimazole. Plantar-type athlete's foot is more resistant to topical treatments due to the presence of thickened hyperkeratotic skin on the sole of the foot. Keratolytic and humectant medications such as urea, salicylic acid (Whitfield's ointment), and lactic acid are useful adjunct medications and improve penetration of antifungal agents into the thickened skin. Topical glucocorticoids are sometimes prescribed to alleviate inflammation and itching associated with the infection.

A solution of 1% potassium permanganate dissolved in hot water is an alternative to antifungal drugs.{{cite web|title=Potassium Permanganate|url=http://www.dermnetnz.org/treatments/permanganate.html|access-date=31 March 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110514090214/http://dermnetnz.org/treatments/permanganate.html| archive-date= 14 May 2011 | url-status= live}} Potassium permanganate is a salt and a strong oxidizing agent.

For severe or refractory cases of athlete's foot oral terbinafine is more effective than griseofulvin. Fluconazole or itraconazole may also be taken orally for severe athlete's foot infections. The most commonly reported adverse effect from these medications is gastrointestinal upset.

Globally, fungal infections affect about 15% of the population and 20% of adults.{{cite journal | vauthors = Bell-Syer SE, Khan SM, Torgerson DJ | title = Oral treatments for fungal infections of the skin of the foot | journal = The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews | volume = 10 | issue = 10 | pages = CD003584 | date = October 2012 | pmid = 23076898 | pmc = 7144818 | doi = 10.1002/14651858.CD003584.pub2 | collaboration = Cochrane Skin Group }} Additionally, 70% of the population will experience athlete's foot at some point in life.{{cite journal | vauthors = Ward H, Parkes N, Smith C, Kluzek S, Pearson R | title = Consensus for the Treatment of Tinea Pedis: A Systematic Review of Randomised Controlled Trials | journal = Journal of Fungi | volume = 8 | issue = 4 | pages = 351 | date = March 2022 | pmid = 35448582 | pmc = 9027577 | doi = 10.3390/jof8040351 | doi-access = free }} Athlete's foot is common in individuals who wear unventilated (occlusive) footwear, such as rubber boots or vinyl shoes.{{cite journal | vauthors = Andrews MD, Burns M | title = Common tinea infections in children | journal = American Family Physician | volume = 77 | issue = 10 | pages = 1415–1420 | date = May 2008 | pmid = 18533375 | url = http://www.aafp.org/afp/2008/0515/p1415.html | url-status = live | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131109010919/http://www.aafp.org/afp/2008/0515/p1415.html | archive-date = 9 November 2013 }} Upon exposure to an athlete's foot-causing fungus, the moist conditions generated from poor foot ventilation promotes growth of the fungus on the foot or between the toes. Occupationally, studies have shown increased prevalence of athlete's foot among miners, soldiers, and athletes.{{cite journal | vauthors = Crawford F, Hollis S | title = Topical treatments for fungal infections of the skin and nails of the foot | journal = The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews | volume = 2007 | issue = 3 | pages = CD001434 | date = July 2007 | pmid = 17636672 | pmc = 7073424 | doi = 10.1002/14651858.CD001434.pub2 | collaboration = Cochrane Skin Group }} Likewise, activities such as marathon running have seen increased prevalence of athlete's foot. Countries and regions where going barefoot is more common experience much lower rates of athlete's foot than do populations which habitually wear shoes; as a result, the disease has been called "a penalty of civilization".{{cite journal | vauthors = Gill D, Marks R | title = A review of the epidemiology of tinea unguium in the community | journal = The Australasian Journal of Dermatology | volume = 40 | issue = 1 | pages = 6–13 | date = February 1999 | pmid = 10098282 | doi = 10.1046/j.1440-0960.1999.00308.x | s2cid = 9471264 }} Studies have demonstrated that men are infected 2 to 4 times more often than women.

Cases of athlete's foot were first documented around 1916 during World War I, where infection among soldiers was common.{{Cite book | vauthors = Homei A, Worboys M |url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK169220/ |title=Athlete's Foot |date=2013 |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |language=en}} By 1928 it was estimated that nearly ten million Americans with cases of athlete's foot; the alarming prevalence of the disease caused for public health concern. In the following year, an epidemiologic study was conducted on incoming freshman to the University of California; it was found that 53% of incoming freshman men had athlete's foot and by year's end that number had risen to 78%.

Prevalence of the disease increased in the 1930s, specifically among individuals of higher socioeconomic status; these individuals had more access to common shared spaced such as pools, colleges, and athletic clubs where transmission of athlete's foot-causing fungus was common. Prevalence in the United States was high enough to call for the use of sterilizing footbaths in the 1932 Olympics in Los Angeles. It was at this time public health officials adopted the idea that athletes foot was a product of modernity and that dealing with this disease was "a penalty of civilization" as many treatments proved ineffective. Antifungal properties of compounds such as undecylenic acid were studied in the 1940s; products containing zinc undecylenate were shown to be the most effective topical treatment for curing the condition.

The use of orally ingested Griseofulvin was shown in the 1960s to be effective in acute cases of athlete's foot. Likewise, recorded incidence of athletes foot decreased among American soldiers in Vietnam who were given Griseofulvins as a preventative drug. In the 1990s, research supported the use of itraconazole and the Allylamine known as terbinafine as drugs effective at eliminating athlete's foot and also dermatophyte infections on other parts of the body. As of 2012, research has shown that terbinafine is 2.26 times as likely to cure athlete's foot than treatment with Griseofulvin; comparative studies between itraconazole and terbinafine have shown little difference in effectiveness.

• Toenail fungus, tinea unguium, an infection affecting the toenails
• Trench foot, due to moisture and decay

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{{Medical resources

| DiseasesDB = 13122

| ICD10 = {{ICD10|B|35|3|b|35}}

| ICD9 = {{ICD9|110.4}}

| ICDO =

| OMIM =

| MedlinePlus = 000875

| eMedicineSubj = derm

| eMedicineTopic = 470

| MeshID = D014008

}}

{{Mycoses}}

{{Diseases of the skin and appendages by morphology}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Animal fungal diseases

Category:Foot diseases

Category:Mycosis-related cutaneous conditions

Category:Wikipedia medicine articles ready to translate

Category:Wikipedia emergency medicine articles ready to translate