Control of tinea pedis in a swimming bath

Random samples of the weekly entry of bathers to a swimming pool were examined for tinea pedis and verruca before and at intervals after the supply of individual sachets of foot powder to all bathers.Over three and a half years the overall incidence of tinea pedis decreased from 8.5% to 2.1%, and in adult males it decreased from 21.5% to 6.9%. The incidence of infection with Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. interdigitale decreased from 5.3% to 0.5%, and the incidence of infection with T. rubrum (1.2%-1.1%) and Epidermophyton floccosum (0.9%-0.5%) did not change significantly. The incidence of verruca decreased from 4.8% to 1.2%. Issuing foot powder clearly minimizes the spread of infection and is recommended for general use.