Can Tinea Pedis Be Transferred to the Arm?
Yes, tinea pedis can absolutely be transferred to the arm and other body locations through autoinoculation—the dermatophyte fungi causing foot infections can spread to distant sites via direct contact or contaminated hands.
Mechanism of Spread
The same dermatophyte organisms that cause tinea pedis, predominantly T. rubrum and T. mentagrophytes, are capable of infecting skin anywhere on the body 1, 2. When a person touches their infected feet and then touches other body parts, they can transfer the fungal spores to new locations, including the arms 1.
Evidence of Concomitant Infections
Clinical data confirms that dermatophyte infections commonly occur at multiple body sites simultaneously:
- In pediatric onychomycosis studies, concomitant dermatophytosis at other body locations was confirmed in 25% of cases, demonstrating the organism's ability to spread beyond the initial infection site 1.
- The British Association of Dermatologists guidelines explicitly note that fungal infections can spread between different anatomical locations 1.
Practical Clinical Implications
To prevent autoinoculation to the arms and other sites:
- Patients should avoid touching infected feet, especially between the toes where moisture and fungal burden are highest 2.
- Hand hygiene after any contact with infected areas is critical 2.
- The British Journal of Dermatology emphasizes covering active foot lesions—specifically recommending putting on socks before underwear to prevent spread to the groin area, a principle that applies equally to preventing arm contamination 2.
- Failing to treat all infected sites simultaneously can result in reinfection and continued spread 2.
Common Pitfall
A critical error is treating only the visible foot infection while ignoring potential spread to other body areas. Clinicians should examine the entire skin surface, particularly the hands, groin, and body folds, when diagnosing tinea pedis, as these represent common sites of secondary infection 1.