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Rental shoes are not a source of tinea pedis
Tanja Roehmer Wriedt1, Kristoffer Nagy Skaastrup1, Adeline Held Everland1
1Department of Dermatology, Zealand University Hospital, Roskilde.
Danish Medical Journal
|September 10, 2025
Summary
Rental shoes for activities like climbing and bowling do not appear to spread fungal infections, despite rising drug resistance. This study found no dermatophytes on sampled rental shoes, suggesting they are not a significant source of transmission.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology and Mycology
- Infectious Disease Transmission
- Public Health
Background:
- Tinea pedis, a common fungal infection, affects a significant portion of the adult population.
- Rising terbinafine resistance in dermatophytes poses a challenge to first-line treatment.
- Concerns exist about potential epidemics driven by the spread of dermatophytes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate rental climbing and bowling shoes as potential sources of dermatophyte transmission.
- To assess the risk of societal spread of fungal infections through shared athletic footwear.
Main Methods:
- Sampling of 103 pairs of rental climbing shoes and 102 pairs of bowling shoes.
- Utilized established swabbing and culturing techniques for dermatophyte detection.
- Identified positive cultures via microscopy and internal transcribed spacer sequencing; supplemented with questionnaires on shoe materials and disinfection.
Main Results:
- No dermatophytes were detected on any of the sampled rental climbing or bowling shoes.
- Fungicidal cleaning methods were employed by all bowling clubs and one climbing club.
Conclusions:
- Rental climbing and bowling shoes are unlikely to pose an immediate risk for the societal transmission of dermatophytes.
- Current disinfection practices in some venues may contribute to the absence of fungal detection.
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