Prevalence of tinea pedis in professional and college soccer players versus non-athletes.
OBJECTIVE
To assess and compare the prevalence of tinea pedis among professional soccer players, college soccer players, and non-athletes. We sought to assess the prevalence of various risk factors and their association with tinea pedis among these different groups.


METHODS
Survey study.


METHODS
United States.


METHODS
Members of a United Soccer League (USL) professional team (N = 16), male (N = 16) and female (N = 14) NCAA soccer teams at a local college, and male (N = 15) and female (N = 15) non-athletes from a local medical school.


METHODS
All participants anonymously answered questions on their risk factors for tinea pedis and underwent physical and mycological examinations.


METHODS
Clinical exam, potassium hydroxide solution (KOH), and culture.


RESULTS
Tinea pedis infected 69% professional soccer players (11 of 16) compared with 69% of male college soccer players (11 of 16) and 43% of female college soccer players (6 of 14), whereas non-athletes demonstrated significantly less tinea pedis (P < 0.001), including 20% of male non-athletes (3 of 15) and 0% of female non-athletes (0 of 15).


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate a need for improved primary prevention of tinea pedis among athletes. A preventive program involving education and coach participation is needed to target these individuals.
Pickup
Tiffany L
TL
Department of Dermatology, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH 45267, USA.
Adams
Brian B
BB
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012916:Soccer; D014008:Tinea Pedis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology