Effect of finger socks on clinical cure in interdigital tinea pedis.

BACKGROUND

Humidity between the toes and occlusion are risk factors and causes of recurrence for interdigital tinea pedis.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the role of wearing "finger-socks" in addition to topical antifungal treatment in managing interdigital tinea pedis.

METHODS

Among 54 patients with interdigital tinea pedis confirmed by direct microscopy, 31 in the study group were recommended to wear 5-finger socks in addition to topical antifungal treatment for 4 weeks, while 23 in the control group received only topical antifungal treatment without sock recommendations.

RESULTS

Pretreatment culture positivity rate was 20.4%, whereas post-treatment, all cases had negative culture results. The most commonly detected microorganisms were Trichophyton rubrum and Candida parapsilosis. In the finger-socks group, the rates of complete cure, partial cure, and treatment failure were 74.2%, 16.1%, and 9.7%, respectively, while 21.7%, 26.1%, and 52.2% in the control group (P < .001).

STUDY LIMITATIONS

The small sample size and the high rate of false-negative fungal culture results were our limitations.

CONCLUSIONS

The clinical complete cure rate was significantly higher in those who wore 5-finger socks compared to those who did not. Finger socks increase treatment success in interdigital tinea pedis, presumably by reducing the humidity between the toes, independently of daily habits.