Asthma induced by allergy to Trichophyton rubrum

The worldwide incidence of asthma and of allergic respiratory diseases is increasing (Akiyama K. ‘Environmental allergens and allergic diseases.’ Rinsho Byori 1997;45(1):13. D’Amato G, Liccardi G, D’Amato M. Environment and development of respiratory allergy. II. Indoors. Monaldi Arch Chest Dis 1994;49(5):412. Weeke AR. Epidemiology of allergic diseases in children. Rhinol Suppl 1992;13:5. Ulrik CS, Backer V, Hesse B, Dirksen A. Risk factors for development of asthma in children and adolescents: findings from a longitudinal population study. Respir Med 1996;90(10):623.) This has been attributed to several factors, including lifestyle changes and an expanding variety of potential causative allergens. Management of asthma entails preventive and acute medications, immunologic therapies, and removal of the identified allergen(s) from the patient’s environment. Without the latter, patients may not experience full symptomatic relief. This case report describes a patient who developed bronchial asthma subsequent to an infection of tinea pedis and pedal onychomycosis; antifungal management resulted in full resolution of his tinea pedis, onychomycosis and asthma.