Pharmacological Teatment of Tinea Pedis

Ahn, Kyu Joong

Abstract

Dermatophytosis is the general term of the superficial infection by dermatophytes. Dermatophytes grow and survive only in the dead keratin of the stratum corneum, hair, nails. Fungi cause the skin lesion provoking the inflammatory response. Dermatophytosis is classified as tinea capitis, tinea corporis, tinea barbae, tinea mauum, tinea pedis, tinea unguium according to the involved area. The clinical manifestation is related with the characteristics of the involved areas such as skin, hair or nail, and with the depth of stratum corneum according to the anatomical location. For this reason, treatment time and method are different. The feet are the most commonly infected site by the dermatophytes, occupying 33~40% of all dermatophytosis. Tinea pedis is common in the 3rd to 5th decade and rare in children. The primary regimen for local treatment is topical application of antifungal ointment, but in case of secondary infection antibiotic and/or steroid ointment therapy is necessary before fungal treatment. If the disease is intractable for ointment treatment, oral adminstration of antifungal drug is needed. The focus for effective treatment is prevention and treatment of all family members because the infection sources are from family and her or himself.