Epidemiologic study of onychomycosis and tinea pedis in Kashan, Iran

Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of nails that caused by several dermatophytes and saprophytes (yeasts and moulds). In addition, tinea pedis is a fungal infection of feet due to dermatophytes. Due to the importance of high prevalence rate of above diseases, this study was conducted to determine the epidemiologic condition of diseases in Kashan. In the present study, 137 patients suspected to onychomycosis and tinea pedis were examined. Disease was confirmed in 26 subjects (18.9%), 11 were males and 15 were females. The common etiologic agents was yeasts (11 cases) followed by dermatophytes (9 cases) and saprophytes (6 cases). This study showed that there is a high prevalence rate of onychomycosis and tinea pedis in Kashan. Therefore, due to importance of the disease, it is necessary to diagnose and cure the disease immediately.