The assessment of beauty salon client awareness of risk factors relating to skin and nail fungal infections of the feet

Aleksandra Tumala, Mariola Marchlewicz

Abstract


Introduction: Fungal infections of the skin and nails are one of the most common skin diseases in the world. The ever-growing number of fungal infections is caused by genetic factors, lack of prevention and insufficient knowledge about risk factors relating to fungal infections.

The aim of the project was to assess the awareness of beauty salon clients to fungal infections of the skin and nails of the feet, with a particular emphasis on the factors contributing to infection.

Materials and methods: The study was conducted among 125 clients of beauty salons.

The data was collected via an anonymous questionnaire comprising 30 questions.

Results: The majority of respondents (84% of women and 70% of men) considered the swimming pool as the main risk factor for fungal infection of the feet. The respondents listed specialists to whom they would turn after noticing suspicious skin changes on their feet. These were dermatologists (18% of responding women and 38% of responding men) as well as podologist (35% of responding women and 23% of responding men). However, the majority of respondents (45% of responding men and 33% of responding women) would use an over-the-counter antifungal medicine, easily obtained in a pharmacy, in case of suspected fungal nail infection (onychomycosis), without consulting a physician.

Conclusions: Most respondents know the risk factors contributing to fungal infections. However, a high percentage of them have low awareness of the actions to be taken when onychomycosis is suspected.


Keywords


fungal infections; onychomycosis; podiatry

Full Text:

PDF

References


Sadowska-Przytocka A. Grzybice skóry i paznokci – algorytm postępowania. Prakt Lek 2015(120): 20-21.

Galęba A, Gałązka M. Najczęstsze zakażenia grzybicze skóry i jej przydatków w praktyce lekarskiej – etiologia, profilaktyka i leczenie. Zakażenia 2014:14(3): 20-26.

Hasse-Cieślińska M. Leczenie miejscowe dermatomikoz. Zakażenia 2012:12(1): 78-83.

Krajewska-Kułak E. red.: Zarys mikologii dla pielęgniarek. Lublin: Wydaw. Czelej; 2005.

Szterling-Jaworowska M, Flisiak I, Chodyniecka B. Grzybica stóp. Zakażenia 2011:11(1): 59-60, 62-64.

Galęba A, Bajurna B, Marcinkowski J, Głowacka M. Most common diseases and ailments of feet – prevention and treatment. Part II. Hygeia Public Health 2014, 49(1): 62-68.

Barchnicka A. Nieleczona grzybica stóp a grzybica paznokci. Świat Med Farm 2011(3): 50, 52-55.

Romaszkiewicz A, Nowicki R. Grzybice paznokci. Zakażenia 2015:15(1): 47-50.

Batycka-Baran A, Kozioł M, Baran W, Baran E. Nowe preparaty i metody stosowane w leczeniu grzybicy pazokci. Mikol Lek 2012:19(4): 154-158.

Szczepietowski J, Reich A, Garłowska E, Kulig M, Baran E. Czynniki predysponujące do rozwoju grzybicy paznokci stóp w populacji polskiej. Mikol Lek 2005, 12 (4): 231-234.

Olejniczak M, Seneczko F, Kozłowska M, Jarosiński D. Zakażenia grzybicze paznokci – czynniki usposabiające, profilaktyka. Dermatol Prakt 2013:5(2): 32-38.

Penar-Zadarko B, Krajewska-Kułak E, Łukaszuk C. Ocena poziomu wiedzy pacjentów na temat grzybicy. Mikol Lek 2003:10(1): 31-37.

Szepietowski J, Baran W, Baran E, Melon M, Guryn M. Ocena wiedzy o grzybicy skóry wśród pacjentów na nią chorujących. Mikol Lek 2004:11(1): 49-53.




DOI: https://doi.org/10.21164/pomjlifesci.559

Copyright (c) 2020 Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin

License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/pl/