One Foot After Another-Fungal Foot Issues in Expedition Adventure Racing

Area of Science:

• Dermatology
• Sports Medicine
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Skin infections pose a significant challenge for participants in endurance events like expedition-length adventure races.
• Factors such as extreme physical stress, sleep deprivation, and prolonged environmental exposure (e.g., water) increase susceptibility to infections.
• Uncommon clinical presentations of infections can occur in this high-risk population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of ulcerative tinea pedis in an expedition adventure racer.
• To describe the characteristic clinical manifestations, including the "sandpaper symptom."
• To emphasize the need for more research on infectious foot conditions in this specific athletic group.

Main Methods:

• Case report presentation.
• Clinical observation and documentation of symptoms.
• Literature review on infectious foot complaints in adventure racers.

Main Results:

• A case of ulcerative tinea pedis with distinct clinical features, notably the "sandpaper symptom," was identified.
• Limited existing literature specifically addresses infectious foot complaints in expedition adventure racers.

Conclusions:

• Ulcerative tinea pedis is a potential, albeit uncommon, manifestation of skin infections in expedition adventure racers.
• Further research is crucial to establish incidence rates, identify risk factors, and develop effective diagnostic, treatment, and prevention strategies for these infections.