Foot bacterial intertrigo mimicking interdigital tinea pedis.

BACKGROUND: Itchy maceration of the toe webs is common in warm and humid weather. Some cases do not respond to treatment for tinea or eczema.

METHODS: Patients with foot intertrigo with a poor response to antifungal or antiinflammatory treatment from 2004 to 2009 were included in this study. Their general characteristics were recorded. Bacterial and fungal cultures as well as potassium hydroxide preparations were performed.

RESULTS: We recorded 32 episodes of foot bacterial intertrigo in 17 patients. The disease was more common in men (82%) and the mean age of the patients was 59 years. The main clinical finding was maceration of the toe webs. The majority of bacterial cultures grew mixed pathogens (93%). Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus facealis and Staphylococcus aureus were the most common pathogens. Autoeczematization was present in 50% of the 32 disease episodes.

CONCLUSION: Foot bacterial intertrigo is not a rare condition and can easily be confused with interdigital tinea or eczematous dermatitis. Proper identification of bacterial organisms is critical for early effective antibiotic therapy. Patients should be instructed about proper foot hygiene, which is important to prevent recurrent infections.