[Tinea pedis in young sailors].

Results of a 3 year long-term study concerning tinea pedis in 240 18 year-old males are reported. Clinical monitoring revealed tinea pedis in 25% of the rural population (dermatologically manifest in 7%) and 66.6% of the examined seamen (manifest in 45%). The presence of Trichophyton interdigitale outweighted T. rubrum by 3-4:1. During the sailors' 1st year the relationship of the foregoing is 1:1-1.35; in the 2nd and 3rd years frequencies of 1:2.3, or rather 1:3.5, are observed. Epidemio-genetic factors of dermatophyte-host-environment are discussed for seafaring and non-seafaring conditions. The relationship between atopic dermatitis and athlete's foot is also considered.