Athlete's foot (tinea pedis)

[Merna]

Athlete’s foot is a dermatophyte (fungal) infection of the skin of the feet.

Symptoms of tinea pedis include a build up of scale on the feet and sometimes redness and itching.
Doctors base the diagnosis on an examination of the feet.
Treatment includes antifungal drugs applied directly to the affected areas or occasionally taken by mouth and measures to keep the feet dry.

Tinea pedis is the most common dermatophytosis because foot sweating results in accumulation of moisture in the warm areas between the toes that allows fungi to grow. The infection may spread from person to person in communal showers and bathrooms or in other moist areas where infected people walk barefoot. People who wear tight shoes are also at risk. The infection is usually caused by Trichophyton.
(See also Overview of Fungal Skin Infections.)