Atmospheric Pressure Cold Plasma for Moderate-to-severe Tinea Pedis
China220 participantsStarted 2025-07-25
Plain-language summary
Tinea pedis (athlete's foot) is a common and highly contagious fungal infection of the feet. Moderate-to-severe cases present with extensive skin lesions, severe symptoms, frequent recurrences, and increased risk of complications, often proving refractory to conventional topical therapies. Anatomical niches, poor drug penetration, and antifungal resistance make effective management challenging and negatively impact patients' quality of life.
Current treatments, including topical and systemic antifungals or physical modalities, are often limited by incomplete efficacy, complexity, or poor adherence. Therefore, more effective and practical treatment options are urgently needed.
Atmospheric pressure cold plasma (CAP) is an innovative technology that generates reactive species capable of targeting pathogens while preserving normal tissue. CAP has demonstrated strong antimicrobial effects and promotes wound healing in biomedical research. This study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of CAP in treating moderate-to-severe tinea pedis, aiming to address unmet clinical needs and support future clinical application.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 70 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Age between 18 and 70 years, irrespective of sex.
* Clinical diagnosis of interdigital tinea pedis (non-hyperkeratotic type), with or without extension to other areas, of moderate to severe intensity, defined as follows: target lesion(s) will have an erythema score of ≥2 and either a desquamation or pruritus score of ≥2, with a total score ≥4 (using a 0-3 scale for each item).
* Positive direct potassium hydroxide (KOH) microscopic examination for dermatophytes.
* Women of childbearing potential will agree to use effective contraception throughout the study period.
* Written informed consent will be obtained prior to enrollment.
Exclusion Criteria:
* Severe bacterial infection or other dermatological conditions that may interfere with study assessments.
* Serious cardiac, hepatic, or renal diseases, diabetes mellitus, or major psychiatric disorders.
* Systemic corticosteroid or immunosuppressant use within the past 3 months.
* Systemic antifungal agents within the past 2 months or topical antifungal agents within the past 2 weeks.
* Pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Change in lesion area
Timeframe: Baseline (V0) and at each visit within 20 ± 1 days after randomization (V1-V13)