Toe Web Infections, the Microbiome, and Toe Web Psoriasis: A Review

OBJECTIVE: To present the toe web space as an anatomically, physiologically, and pathologically unique part of the human body; characterize toe web infections and discuss why they occur; and highlight toe web psoriasis as an uncommon condition that providers should consider if toe web intertrigo does not respond to treatment. DATA SOURCE: This review encompassed many years of clinical observation and photographs; medical textbooks; and a literature search of MEDLINE, PubMed, and Google Scholar. STUDY SELECTION: Primary research keywords included intertrigo, toe web intertrigo, toe web infection, tinea pedis, microbiome, skin microbiome, toe web microbiome, ecology, psoriasis, psoriasis microbiome, intertriginous psoriasis, and Wood’s lamp. More than 190 journal articles met the search criteria. DATA EXTRACTION: The authors sought data relating to what makes for a healthy toe web space and what makes for disease. They extracted and collated relevant information to compare and contrast among sources. DATA SYNTHESIS: After understanding the normal toe web space and the microorganisms that normally reside there, the authors investigated why infections occur, how they should be treated, what complications may result, and what other diseases occur in the toe web area. CONCLUSIONS: This review of toe web infection illustrates the effect of the microbiome and reports a rare form of psoriasis that is usually misdiagnosed as athlete’s foot. The toe web space is a unique part of the human body that can be affected by a variety of both common and unusual conditions.