Tinea pedis, known as Athlete’s foot, is a common fungal infection of the feet, the majority of cases caused by dermatophytes. Copper oxide has potent antimicrobial and antifungal properties.

Background: Tinea pedis, known as Athlete’s foot, is a common fungal infection of the feet, the majority of cases caused by dermatophytes. Copper oxide has potent antimicrobial and antifungal properties.

Objective: A pilot study designed to examine the efficacy of treating tinea pedis utilizing copper-oxide impregnated fibers woven into socks worn on a daily basis.

Methods: Fifty-six patients, ranging in age from 21 to 85 years were clinically diagnosed, photographed, and treated with the copper soled socks. Eight variables were studied, including scaling, erythema, fissuring, burning or itching, vesicular eruptions, edema, odor, and drainage.

Results: In a 9-day average follow up, all patients showed improvement or resolution of erythema (with a 95% Confidence interval (CI) of 1.0), fissuring (CI = 1.0), vesicular eruptions (CI = 1.0), scaling (CI = 0.9–1.0) and for burning and itching (CI = 0.61–0.95). In a 40-day average follow up, the 95% CI for improvement or resolution of scaling was 0.68–0.97, for erythema, 0.65–0.97, and for fissuring, burning and itching and vesicular eruptions it was 1.0. None of the study subjects worsened or showed adverse reactions while wearing copper-oxide impregnated socks.

Conclusion: This study strongly supports the effectiveness in using copper-oxide impregnated polyester fibers in treating the common manifestations of tinea pedis.

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Authors: Gadi Borkow PhD, Richard C. Zatcoff, Michael S. Smith