The prevalence of tinea pedis and tinea manuum in adults in rural areas in Turkey

Int J Environ Health Res. 2010 Oct;20(5):379-86. doi: 10.1080/09603123.2010.484861.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of tinea pedis and manuum (dermatophyte infections of the hands and feet) in adults in rural areas of Turkey, the risk factors and self-administered treatment options. A total of 2,574 people living in a rural area were enrolled in the study. Participants were asked demographic data, hygienic habits in a questionnaire. KOH preparations and culture were performed from suspicious lesions. Medical and alternative therapy methods and former dermatophytosis diagnosis history were taken from the respondents with suspicious lesions. Microbiological samples were taken from 285 (11.1%) participants. Culture was positive in 109 (4.2%) of those. The most common agent was Trichophyton rubrum. The predisposing factors were found as age older than 40, male gender and obesity. Forty-nine (44.9%) of patients had taken a medical therapy, 56 (51.4%) had performed non-medical methods (cologne, Lawsonia inermis-Henna and softener creams). Patient's education about the treatment compliance is important.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Chronic Disease / classification
  • Demography / statistics & numerical data*
  • Educational Status
  • Female
  • Hand Dermatoses / diagnosis
  • Hand Dermatoses / epidemiology*
  • Hand Dermatoses / microbiology
  • Hand Dermatoses / therapy
  • Humans
  • Hygiene
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity
  • Patient Compliance / statistics & numerical data
  • Prevalence
  • Rural Population / statistics & numerical data
  • Social Class
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Tinea Pedis / diagnosis
  • Tinea Pedis / epidemiology*
  • Tinea Pedis / microbiology
  • Tinea Pedis / therapy
  • Turkey / epidemiology
  • Young Adult