Athlete’s foot in the own study – the frequency of occurence and clinical characteristic

Tinea pedis is a very common disease in sportsmen group and the name athlete’s foot was a synonym of that unit. Nowadays due to healthy style of life promotion such as using swimming-pools, sauna, public baths and dress up rooms it predisposes to spread mycotic infections.
The aim of the study was to estimate the frequency of tinea pedis in men active practice.
Clinical proceedings in summertime 2001 in sportsmen-students at Swimming-Pool of Sport’s Academy were done.
Study included history taking with filling the questionnaire form during samples taking the mycological tests after dermatological examination. Clinical condition of the skin and coexisting pathological changes at nails of foot were evaluated. After proved skin and nail changes (interdigital spaces, soles) scrapings samples were taken off. In all cases mycological cultures in Sabouraud modified medium were performed.
In 49 students’ group only 5 (10.2%) persons observed skin changes mimicking tinea pedis. Real skin changes were proved in 9 (18.37%) students with mycotic changes at 5 (10.2%) men. The most frequent affected area was interdigital spaces of the foot. Yeasts in 60% and dermatophytes in 40% were the most frequent pathogens of the skin changes. All the students were informed about tinea pedis prophylaxis and prevention by using dusting powders and bath shoes at the swimming-pools and public baths.

athlete’s foot, tinea of the foot, sportsmen.