BERLIN -- A single blast of terbinafine 1% spray consistently decontaminated shoe insoles colonized by Trichophyton rubrum--infected skin scales.

Applying a topical antifungal agent to shoes may lessen or prevent tinea pedis in patients with dermatophytosis, Dr. Martine Feuilhade de Chauvin reported at the annual congress of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology.

One pair of each of three types of shoe insoles--one leather and two synthetic--were used. An equal quantity of skin scales infected with T. rubrum was applied to all three pairs. Each insole was then placed in a moist shoe box. After 48 hours, one insole from each pair received a single Zenith Replica Watch application of terbinafine 1% spray. All skin scales were collected 48 and 96
embroidered patches hours later and placed in culture.

After 3 and 6 weeks, specimens from the antifungal-sprayed insoles were consistently sterile. Those from the control insoles were dermatophyte positive, said Dr. Feuilhade de Chauvin of St.-Louis Hospital, Paris, who reported having no relevant conflicts of interest.

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