TINEA PEDIS
It is a superficial fungal infection table that occurs when skin integrity is impaired due to heat, humidity, wearing closed shoes or excessive sweating.
It usually does not cause any symptoms. But; It may give symptoms due to itching, pain, or the addition of a bacterial infection. It may also be accompanied by nail fungus.
It may appear with various clinical pictures:
Interdigital dry type ; usually 4-5. It causes a dry, dandruff appearance observed between the fingers. wet type ; Between the 4-5th fingers, it makes a white moist appearance. With the addition of bacterial infection, malodor and greenish-bluish discoloration may develop (frequently, pseudomonas or corinobacter bacteria may be added). The infection can spread to other fingers.
moccasin type ; The type that grips the heel and sides of the foot, thickens the skin in this area, and often affects both feet. It can be confused with heel cracks. A deep scraping sample should be taken for the fungus test.
Inflammatory/bullous type; It makes blisters that we call clear vesicles/bullae. It is very itchy; It can affect the top of the foot, between the toes and soles. It can cause blistering rashes on the hands and body, called id reaction.
ulcerative type; It occurs when the fungus between the toes spreads to the soles of the feet and the sides of the feet, and the infection table is added to it. These patients are mostly individuals with diseases such as diabetes, circulatory problems, and chronic kidney failure. If not treated; It causes skin infection such as erysipelas, cellulitis or a progressive bone infection called osteomyelitis.
How is the diagnosis made?
Diagnosis is made by dermatologists. In cases where clinical compatibility is considered, it is supported by the observation of fungal elements in the microscopic examination of the scraping sample taken from the lesions. Moreover; Purple light evaluation, called a wood lamp, or culture specimens should be performed in cases where clinically additive bacterial infection is considered.
Treatment
If it does not cause complaints, there is no demand for treatment by the patients.
In the treatment, we can choose the antifungal cream and pill treatments suitable for the clinical picture. It should be known that the treatment will gradually regress, especially in thick-layered fungi or in the tables where nail fungus is added (such as 3 or 6 months in nail fungus).
In addition to treatment, the continuation of triggering factors or poor control of systemic diseases, unfortunately, facilitates recurrence.
In particular, the selection of shoes and socks that prevent the feet from sweating, drying the feet well, and receiving treatment support if there is excessive sweating will reduce its recurrence. Moreover; increased incidence of nail fungus in the geriatric population; therefore, it should be kept in mind that fungal infections in other areas may also increase.
It is recommended that individuals with diseases such as chronic circulatory disorder, diabetes, kidney failure or low individual care such as geriatric population should be supported by caregivers trained in foot care or apply to centers where they can get this service. Just like skin care.
