Foot infection in coal miners: a reassessment.

Foot infection has been studied in 514 coal miners: 70% of men had some evidence of infection but dermatophyte fungi accounted for only one-third of those affected; Gram-negative bacilli accounted for much of the remaining pathology. Itching and cracking were more severe in those with dermatophytes than in those with Gram-negative bacilli. Duration of service in the industry correlated with increasing dermatophyte infection, but not with bacillary infection. Wetness of the feet predisposed to bacillary infection but not to dermatophyte infection. There was no evidence of an association of atopy with either form of infection.