title: Adhesion of dermatophytes to healthy feet and its simple treatment.
abstract: At several public baths, we isolated dermatophytes from the soles of healthy volunteers by a new direct isolation method (foot-press culture method). We confirmed that a public bath is one of major sources of infection of dermatophytes. We showed that simple treatments such as (i) wiping the sole with a towel; (ii) washing with soap; (iii) 100 steps on another mat; and (iv) holding the foot up for an hour, significantly reduced the fungi on the soles of six healthy volunteers. These treatments may be effective for prevention of tinea pedis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Japan.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Watanabe
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Taniguchi
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Katoh
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001494:Baths; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014008:Tinea Pedis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014249:Trichophyton / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology*