Asthma induced by allergy to Trichophyton rubrum

The worldwide incidence of asthma and of allergic respiratory diseases is i ncreasing (Akiyama K. 'Environmental allergens and allergic diseases.' Rins ho Byori 1997;45(1):13. D'Amato G, Liccardi G, D'Amato M. Environment and d evelopment 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 longitud inal population study. Respir Med 1996;90(10):623.) This has been attribute d to several factors, including lifestyle changes and an expanding variety of potential causative allergens. Management of asthma entails preventive a nd acute medications, immunologic therapies, and removal of the identified allergen(s) from the patient's environment. Without the latter, patients ma y not experience full symptomatic relief. This case report describes a pati ent who developed bronchial asthma subsequent to an infection of tinea pedi s and pedal onychomycosis; antifungal management resulted in full resolutio n of his tinea pedis, onychomycosis and asthma. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B .V. All rights reserved.