We examined the number of colonies of dermatophytes isolated from foot-press method samples. The samples were obtained from a volunteer after she stepped not only on bath mats but also on wood floors, Japanese style mattings, concrete floors, slippers, cushions, and other things that a patient with tinea pedis had previously stepped on. After she wiped with wet towels, these dermatophytes decreased to the level of 0–39.7%. We also examined a few colonies of dermatophytes isolated from finger-sampling method samples. These samples were obtained from volunteers after they stepped on bath mats that a patient with tinea pedis had previously stepped on. In the finger-sampling method, the examiner’s fingertip rubs the patient’s toe webs and immediately press on a culture dish. We hypothesized that the dermatophytes adhered to the toe webs could cause tinea pedis.
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