Dermatophytic Diseases: A Review of Tinea Pedis

Studies in skin diseases, particularly Tinea pedis are very rare in Ghana leading to low investment in dermatological services in the country and the African continent. Globally, Tinea pedis affects about 15% of the worlds population. Importantly, it is a major public health problem and socioeconomic issue. Currently, the most recommended treatment for Tinea pedis infection are polyenes, azoles, allylamines, and fluorocytosines. Although these drugs are effective, they do have adverse side effects and are limited in the clinical settings in developing countries especially Ghana. MethodResearch papers were collected from Pubmed, Google scholar, chemical abstracts, and journal websites, reporting both in vitro and in vivo information on Tinea pedis. General information on Tinea pedis, the methods of infection, transfer, treatment options, and resistance were obtained after screening the articles. Many agents are involved in cases of Tinea pedis but are predominantly caused by Trichophyton rubrum which feeds on the keratinous layer of the topmost skin of the foot causing skin discoloration, itching, and maceration. The disease is influenced by individual lifestyle, environmental conditions, and individual factors such as age, sex, and host immunity and is prevented by the maintenance of good personal hygiene. Tinea pedis like other tinea infections are treated with both topical and systemic agents. The classes of medications used in the treatment of Tinea pedis are polyenes, azoles, allylamines, and fluorocytosines. Tinea pedis antifungal resistance development could be partly associated with incomplete medication and misuse of antifungal medications. Additionally, patients with serious underlying health conditions such as compromised immune systems like HIV/AIDS, diabetes, radiotherapy for cancer, and transplantation could complicate resistance. ConclusionAlthough, fungal diseases do not cause epidemics the increasing rate of fungal infections and therefore Tinea pedis has to be checked and prevented. High budgets are made in the development of medications which mostly lose their effectiveness over time due to resistance development. Good personal hygiene is very effective but the available medications must be used appropriately for effective treatment and resistance avoidance. Infection prevention and control, tracking and data sharing, good and easily accessible antifungals, vaccines, and maintenance of personal and environmental hygiene are the topmost preventive measures against resistance development.