Internal Environment of Footwear is a Risk Factor for Tinea Pedis

Introduction: The relation between tinea pedis and the internal environment of footwear has not been scientifically proven. The onset of TP is also likely to be more affected by the internal environment of the footwear enveloping the feet than the climate outside the footwear.

However, this relationship has not been directly proven in any study, and data on this relationship are lacking.This study aimed to determine whether the internal environment of footwear affects the incidence of tinea pedis and tinea unguium.

This cross-sectional, observatory study involved 420 outpatients who were categorized into non-tinea, tinea pedis, or tinea unguium groups based on mycological analysis. External climatic conditions, and temperature, humidity, and dew points inside the patients’ footwear were recorded.

Result: People wearing footwear in an environment characterized by high temperature, high humidity, high temperature / high humidity, and high dew point had a significantly higher incidence of tinea pedis. Although this study does not contribute directly to clinical practice, it may enable dermatologists to advise patients on how to wear and maintain footwear, rather than limiting consultations to simply prescribing topical and internal agents. Consequently, dermatologists may play an important role in TP treatment and prevention.