Tinea pedis
Tinea pedis is a superficial fungal infection of the skin of the feet, especially between the toes. It is commonly called athlete’s foot.
Dermatophyte: A fungus that uses keratin in skin, hair, or nails as a nutrient source. Dermatophytes cause most cases by growing in the keratin-rich outer skin of the feet.
KOH test: A microscopy test that uses potassium hydroxide to reveal fungal elements in skin, hair, or nail samples. A skin scraping can help confirm fungus when the appearance is uncertain.
Contact dermatitis: Skin inflammation caused by direct contact with an irritant or allergen. It can cause itchy, scaly feet but is not caused by a fungus.
Dermatophytosis: An infection of keratinized tissues caused by dermatophyte fungi. Tinea pedis is the foot-specific form of dermatophytosis.
Trichophyton rubrum: A dermatophyte species that commonly infects human skin and nails. This species is a frequent cause of persistent tinea pedis.
Topical antifungal: A medication applied to the skin to treat fungal infections. Localized tinea pedis is commonly treated with an antifungal cream, gel, or spray.
Psoriasis: A chronic immune-mediated disease that accelerates skin-cell production and forms inflamed, scaly plaques. Foot psoriasis may resemble moccasin-pattern tinea pedis, but has a different cause.
Tinea corporis: A dermatophyte infection of the body’s glabrous skin, often forming ring-shaped patches. It is another skin-site pattern caused by dermatophytes.
Stratum corneum: The outermost layer of the epidermis, composed largely of dead, keratin-filled cells. The infection usually remains in this outer skin layer.
Terbinafine: An antifungal medication that inhibits fungal squalene epoxidase. Topical terbinafine is a common treatment for uncomplicated athlete’s foot.