Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Tinea Pedis in Adolescents: A Comprehensive Review

  • Review
  • Published:
Current Fungal Infection Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

The purpose of the review is to provide a detailed overview of athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) in adolescents, covering its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.

Recent Findings

Research on adolescent athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) reveals its higher prevalence in developed countries during the summer due to communal environments and sports activities. Diagnosis methods include dermoscopy and molecular techniques, while treatment options range from topical to systemic antifungal agents. Preventive measures emphasize foot hygiene and adolescent awareness.

Summary

Tinea pedis, commonly known as athlete’s foot, is a dermatophytic fungal infection that predominantly affects the skin of the feet. This condition is particularly prevalent among adolescents, presenting both clinical and public health significance. In this comprehensive review, we aim to elucidate the epidemiology, risk factors, clinical manifestations, diagnostic modalities, treatment options, and preventive measures associated with tinea pedis in the adolescent population.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

Data Availability

No datasets were generated or analysed during the current study.

References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

  1. Khodadadi H, Zomorodian K, Nouraei H, Zareshahrabadi Z, Barzegar S, Zare MR, Pakshir K. Prevalence of superficial-cutaneous fungal infections in Shiraz, Iran: a five-year retrospective study (2015–2019). J Clin Lab Anal. 2021;35(7): e23850. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcla.23850.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  2. Hawkins DM, Smidt AC. Superficial fungal infections in children. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2014;61(2):443–55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcl.2013.12.003.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Kelly BP. Superficial fungal infections. Pediatr Rev. 2012;33(4):e22-37. https://doi.org/10.1542/pir.33-4-e22.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Flores JM, Castillo VB, Franco FC, Huata AB. Superficial fungal infections: clinical and epidemiological study in adolescents from marginal districts of Lima and Callao. Peru J Infect Dev Ctries. 2009;3(4):313–7. https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.130.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Alter SJ, McDonald MB, Schloemer J, Simon R, Trevino J. Common child and adolescent cutaneous infestations and fungal infections. Curr Probl Pediatr Adolesc Health Care. 2018;48(1):3–25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cppeds.2017.11.001.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Ilkit M, Durdu M. Tinea pedis: the etiology and global epidemiology of a common fungal infection. Crit Rev Microbiol. 2015;41(3):374–88. https://doi.org/10.3109/1040841X.2013.856853.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Kromer C, Celis D, Hipler UC, Zampeli VA, Mößner R, Lippert U. Dermatophyte infections in children compared to adults in Germany: a retrospective multicenter study in Germany. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges. 2021;19(7):993–1001. https://doi.org/10.1111/ddg.14432.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Henshaw E, Olasode A. Prevalence of skin infections, infestations, and papular urticaria among adolescents in secondary schools in Calabar Nigeria. Ghana Med J. 2019;53(4):287–93.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  9. Mayser P, Handrick W, Nenoff P. Sportassoziierte Dermatophytosen: Ein Überblick [Sports-associated dermatophytoses: an overview]. Hautarzt. 2016;67(9):680–8. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00105-016-3845-8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Ashack KA, Burton KA, Johnson TR, Currie DW, Comstock RD, Dellavalle RP. Skin infections among US high school athletes: a national survey. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2016;74(4):679–84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2015.10.042.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Jenkins DW, Cooper K, Heigh EG. Prevalence of podiatric conditions seen in Special Olympics athletes: a comparison of USA data to an international population. Foot (Edinb). 2015;25(1):5–11. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foot.2014.09.001.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Nowicka D, Bagłaj-Oleszczuk M, Maj J. Infectious diseases of the skin in contact sports. Adv Clin Exp Med. 2020;29(12):1491–5. https://doi.org/10.17219/acem/129022.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Olomukoro CN, Dlova NC, Sibanda W, Chateau AV, Archary M, Mosam A. Mucocutaneous diseases in the combined antiretroviral therapy era: prevalence and spectrum in HIV seropositive children and adolescents in Durban. South Africa Int J Dermatol. 2022;61(3):259–65. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijd.15735.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Ochoa S, Constantine GM, Lionakis MS. Genetic susceptibility to fungal infection in children. Curr Opin Pediatr. 2020;32(6):780–9. https://doi.org/10.1097/MOP.0000000000000948.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  15. • Leung AK, Barankin B, Lam JM, Leong KF, Hon KL. Tinea pedis: an updated review. Drugs Context. 2023;12:1–5. https://doi.org/10.7573/dic.2023-5-1. This article provides a recent update on tinea pedis.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Ely JW, Rosenfeld S, Seabury SM. Diagnosis and management of tinea infections. Am Fam Physician. 2014;90(10):702–10.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Nigam PK, Saleh D. Tinea pedis. 2022. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023

  18. •• Ankad BS, Mukherjee SS, Nikam BP, Reshme AS, Sakhare PS, Mural PH. Dermoscopic characterization of dermatophytosis: a preliminary observation. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2020;11(2):202–7. https://doi.org/10.4103/idoj.IDOJ_190_19. This article reports the importance of dermoscopy in the diagnosis of dermatophytosis.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  19. Karaman BF, Topal SG, Aksungur VL, Ünal İ, İlkit M. Successive potassium hydroxide testing for improved diagnosis of tinea pedis. Cutis. 2017;100(2):110–4.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Ashack KA, Burton KA, Johnson TR, Currie DW, Comstock RD, Dellavalle RP. Skin infections among US high school athletes: a national survey. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2016;74(4):679–84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaad.2015.10.042.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Diongue K, Ndiaye M, Diallo MA, Seck MC, Badiane AS, Diop A, et al. Fungal interdigital tinea pedis in Dakar (Senegal). J Mycol Med. 2016;26(4):312–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mycmed.2016.04.002.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Conejo A, Martínez A, Ramirez O, Álvez F, Hernández A, Baquero F. Documento de consenso SEIP-AEPap-SEPEAP sobre la etiología, el diagnóstico y el tratamiento de las infecciones cutáneas micóticas de manejo ambulatorio. Rev Pediatr Aten Primaria. 2016;18:e149–72.

    Google Scholar 

  23. Pichardo-Geisinger R, Mora DC, Newman JC, Arcury TA, Feldman SR, Quandt SA. Comorbidity of tinea pedis and onychomycosis and evaluation of risk factors in Latino immigrant poultry processing and other manual laborers. South Med J. 2014;107(6):374–9. https://doi.org/10.14423/01.SMJ.0000450705.67259.26.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Pires CA, Cruz NF, Lobato AM, Sousa PO, Carneiro FR, Mendes AM. Clinical, epidemiological, and therapeutic profile of dermatophytosis. An Bras Dermatol. 2014;89(2):259–64. https://doi.org/10.1590/abd1806-4841.20142569.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  25. Didehdar M, Shokohi T, Khansarinejad B, Ali Asghar Sefidgar S, Abastabar M, Haghani I, et al. Characterization of clinically important dermatophytes in north of Iran using PCR-RFLP on ITS region. J Mycol Med. 2016;26(4):345–350. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mycmed.2016.06.006.

  26. •• Hui D, Xue-cheng S, Ai-e X. Evaluation of reflectance confocal microscopy in dermatophytosis. Mycoses. 2013;56(2):130–3. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0507.2012.02222.x. This article presents an evaluation of reflectance confocal microscopy in the context of dermatophytosis.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Sahoo AK, Mahajan R. Management of tinea corporis, tinea cruris, and tinea pedis: a comprehensive review. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2016;7(2):77–86. https://doi.org/10.4103/2229-5178.178099.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  28. Stein Gold LF, Parish LC, Vlahovic T, Plaum S, Kircik L, Fleischer AB Jr, et al. Efficacy and safety of naftifine HCl gel 2% in the treatment of interdigital and moccasin type tinea pedis: pooled results from two multicenter, randomized, double-blind, vehicle-controlled trials. J Drugs Dermatol. 2013;12(8):911–8.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Stein Gold LF, Vlahovic T, Verma A, Olayinka B, Fleischer AB Jr. Naftifine hydrochloride gel 2%: an effective topical treatment for moccasin-type tinea pedis. J Drugs Dermatol. 2015;14(10):1138–44.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Kara Polat A, Akın Belli A, Göre Karaali M, Koku Aksu AE. The attitudes, behaviors, and opinions about non-pharmacological agents in patients with tinea pedis. Dermatol Ther. 2020;33(6): e14041. https://doi.org/10.1111/dth.14041.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Pediatric Dermatology Department, Federico Gomez Children’s Hospital of Mexico, St. Doctor Marquez 162, 06720, Doctores, CuauhtemocMexico City, Mexico

    Jose Ramón García-Lira, Mirna Eréndira Toledo-Bahena, Adriana María Valencia-Herrera, Rodrigo Ariel Pérez-Cosgaya, Elizabeth Marian Pardo-Estrada, Mario Rafael Duarte-Abdala, Alejandra Galeana-Aguilar & Carlos Alfredo Mena-Cedillos

  2. Mycology Department, Hospital General de México Dr. Eduardo Liceaga, Mexico City, Mexico

    Alexandro Bonifaz-Trujillo

Authors
  1. Jose Ramón García-Lira
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mirna Eréndira Toledo-Bahena
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Adriana María Valencia-Herrera
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Rodrigo Ariel Pérez-Cosgaya
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Elizabeth Marian Pardo-Estrada
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Mario Rafael Duarte-Abdala
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Alejandra Galeana-Aguilar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Carlos Alfredo Mena-Cedillos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Alexandro Bonifaz-Trujillo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

García-Lira, Galeana-Aguilar, and Pardo-Estrada wrote the main manuscript text, Bonifaz-Trujillo prepared the figure, and Duarte-Abdala and Pérez-Cosgaya prepared Table 1. All authors reviewed the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mirna Eréndira Toledo-Bahena.

Ethics declarations

Competing interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

García-Lira, J., Toledo-Bahena, M., Valencia-Herrera, A.M. et al. Tinea Pedis in Adolescents: A Comprehensive Review. Curr Fungal Infect Rep (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12281-024-00490-8

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12281-024-00490-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation