What is the relationship between tinea manuum/pedis (hand/foot fungus) and seasons?
Disease description:
I am 38 years old this year. Every summer, my feet become extremely itchy. A doctor told me it's tinea pedis (athlete's foot). However, the condition improves during winter. Why is that? Is there a relationship between tinea pedis and seasons?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Wang Xiaoyan
Tinea manuum and tinea pedis (hand and foot fungal infections) have a certain relationship with seasons, particularly closely related to summer. During summer, as temperatures rise, the human body tends to sweat more, especially the hands and feet. This moist, sweaty environment provides favorable conditions for fungal growth and reproduction. In addition, people may tend to wear shoes and socks with poor breathability during summer, further increasing the humidity and temperature of the local skin, making it easier for fungi to proliferate and cause tinea manuum and tinea pedis. Therefore, the incidence of hand and foot fungal infections is relatively higher in summer. It should be noted that the occurrence of tinea manuum and tinea pedis is influenced not only by seasonal factors but also by personal hygiene habits, immune status, genetic factors, and other elements. Therefore, it is important to maintain good personal hygiene habits in all seasons to prevent the occurrence of hand and foot fungal infections.
