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This case report describes tinea pedis and tinea unguium (fungal infections of the foot and toenail) in a 7-year-old boy with a 6-year history of itching, scaling, and inflammation between the toes. Clinical examination revealed scaling lesions in the interdigital spaces and longitudinal white striae on the third right toenail with nail fragility. Samples from affected skin and nail were collected by scraping and examined using potassium hydroxide solution, which revealed branching septate hyphae. Fungal cultures on Mycobiotic agar and Sabouraud dextrose agar at 25°C for 15 days identified Trichophyton rubrum as the causative agent based on characteristic colony morphology (white, cottony appearance with red-wine reverse) and microscopic features (racket-like and chandelier-like hyphae with microconidia). The child's father also had tinea pedis, suggesting possible family transmission. The authors emphasize that tinea pedis and tinea unguium are rare in children and frequently misdiagnosed as other foot dermatoses, highlighting the importance of mycological testing for accurate diagnosis and epidemiological understanding of these infections in the pediatric population.

Key findings

• Trichophyton rubrum was identified as the causative agent of both tinea pedis and tinea unguium in a 7-year-old child
• Tinea unguium developed as a consequence of chronic tinea pedis in this pediatric case
• Possible family transmission was suggested by concurrent tinea pedis infection in the child's father
• Fungal infections of the foot are often misdiagnosed in children due to similarity with other pediatric foot dermatoses
• Mycological testing is essential to distinguish tinea pedis from other foot conditions in children and provide appropriate treatment