Tinea pedis, most commonly called athlete's foot, is a contagious fungal disease with recurrent flares located on the feet, states "Basic Nursing" by Patricia Potter and Anne Griffin Perry. Although this fungus is generally located on the feet, primary between the toes, it can spread to other parts of the body. Athlete's foot subcategories are chronic plantar scaling, acute vesicular and interdigital. Chronic plantar scaling occurs on the soles of the feet with no symptoms of itching. Acute vesicular are itchy blisters that are painful and can accompany plantar scaling. The most common type of tinea pedis is Interdigital, which is located between the toes. Symptoms include a painful, burning itch that may have a foul odor, according to "Understanding Medical Surgical Nursing" by Linda Williams and Paula Hopper.
Human to Human
Tinea pedis can spread by direct contact with an infected person. Contact with the infected person's skin can transmit the fungus. Not all carries of the disease show signs or symptoms of having athlete's foot, according to the Mayo Clinic. Individuals with weakened immune systems are prone to developing the disease. According to the Mayo Clinic, athlete's foot is more likely to be contracted by men.
Object to Human
Tinea pedis thrives in dark, warm, moist places, and certain environments allow the fungus to grow, says Potter and Perry. When an infected person's skin comes in contact with an item, the fungus can be transferred to that object. For example, tight shoes with limited air flow can squeeze the toes together, thus creating a warm, moist area, a perfect place for the fungus to grow, says the Mayo Clinic. If another person comes in contact with the contaminated shoes, athlete's foot can be contracted from the shoes. Damp socks also create the perfect breeding ground for fungus and regularly changing them will reduce flares of the disease. The Mayo Clinic says objects, such as mats, rugs, clothes, bed linens and floors, can carry the tinea pedis. Public showers and swimming areas are also well known for spreading foot fungus.
Animal to Human
Animals can also carry the athlete's foot fungal disease, according to the Mayo Clinic. Household pets can transmit the disease throughout the places that humans frequent, and then can be picked up from object to human contact. Direct contact with an infected animal can also pass on the fungus.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Athlete's foot
- "Understanding Medical Surgical Nursing;" by Linda Williams and Paula Hopper; 2003
- "Basic Nursing;" by Patricia Potter and Anne Perry; 2003
