Non-complaining female patients with tinea pedis: A clinicomycological study

BACKGROUND: Tinea pedis (TP) is a common public problem that its prevalence is raising due to the change in the environment and reduction in immune reactivity of individuals. Fungal species apart from dermatophytes are isolated from cases of TP. In spite of the hidden cases or occult TP, the prevalence of this disease it is growing. In this study, we tried to identify hidden and noncomplaining cases of TP among population attending for other complaints rather than foot problem. METHODS: 46 female patients were included in this study, who attended outpatient department of Erbil Dermatology Teaching Center, Erbil, Iraq, for other dermatological problems. The anamneses were taken, clinical examination was done, and direct microscopy and culture of specimens taken from their foot were carried out. RESULTS: 24 (52%) patients of the study sample showed positive culture growth. The most common symptoms among culturepositive patients were itching (84.6%) and bad odor of foot (63.6%). The most frequent affected areas among the sample patients were 4th interdigital web of foot (69.6%76.1%) and heels (82.6%). The most common species identified were Trichophyton rubrum (n = 6, 23.1%) and Trichophyton mentagrophyte (n = 6, 23.1%). The next most frequent was Trichosporon spp (n = 5, 19.2%). Occult TP among culture positives was 16.6%. CONCLUSION: Prevalence of TP is very high among women (52%). Noncomplaining of these women about their conditions reflects lack of foot care awareness that needs improvement.