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.