Dermatophytes, a type of mold, cause the common fungal infection of the feet known as tinea pedis or athlete's foot. The most common causative fungi are Trichophyton rubrum, T. interdigitale, and Epidermophyton floccosum. Tinea pedis presents with itchy erosions or scales between the toes and on the sole of the foot. A diagnosis can be made clinically but is confirmed by microscopic examination of skin scrapings showing fungal hyphae. Treatment involves using topical antifungal creams or tablets for 2-4 weeks, while oral antifungals may be needed for resistant cases.

1. Dermatophytes
causes skin disease in animals
and humans.
mold genera are:
Microsporum,
Epidermophyton
Trichophyton

2. • Dermatophytes cause infections of
the skin, hair, and nails, obtaining
nutrients from keratinized material

3. Tinea pedis or athlete's foot

5. Tinea pedis affects men more
than women, and is uncommon
in children

7. clinical features of tinea pedis
•itchy erosions and/or scales between the
toes, especially between 4th and 5th toes
•Scale covering the sole and sides of the
feet (hyperkeratotic/moccasin type,
usually caused by T. rubrum)
•Small to medium-sized blisters, usually
affecting the inner aspect of the foot
(vesiculobullous type)

8. What causes tinea pedis?
The three most
common dermatophyte
fungi causing tinea pedis are:
•Trichophyton (T.) rubrum
•T. interdigitale
•Epidermophyton floccosum

9. How is the diagnosis of
tinea pedis made?
The diagnosis of tinea pedis
can be made clinically in most
cases, based on the
characteristic clinical features.

10. Diagnosis is confirmed by skin scrapings,
which are sent for microscopy in potassium
hydroxide (when segmented hyphae may
be observed)

11. treatment for tinea pedis
Topical antifungal
therapy once or twice daily is
usually sufficient. These
include azoles, allylamines,
butenafine, ciclopirox, and
tolnaftate. A typical course is 2
to 4 weeks

12. For those who do not respond
to topical therapy, an oral
antifungal agent may be
needed for a few weeks. These
include:
•Terbinafine
•Itraconazole
•Fluconazole