Hygienic Socks with Antifungal Microcapsules for Patients with Tinea Pedis (Athlete’s foot)

Development of hygienic socks to increase the successful rate of curing patients with tinea pedis and reduce the chance of relapse

Tinea pedis (Athlete’s Foot) is a common skin disease which affects a large number of the population in the world. The hygienic socks are designed and developed for daily pharmacological treatment of a fungal infection. The socks comprise (1) a textile material to manage moisture when it is worn; (2) microcapsules grafted onto the textile material; and (3) antifungal agents encapsulated within the microcapsules are released to pharmacologically treat the fungal infection. The development of hygienic socks through the microencapsulation technology will increase the successful rate of curing patients with tinea pedis and reduce the chance of relapse.

Special Features and Advantages

Textile material with excellent moisture management and maximum breathability
Anti-fungal agent-loaded microcapsules for the convenience of daily pharmacological treatment
Interdigital-type socks
Reduce the effects of the skin disease on the quality of daily life

Applications

The technology can be applied to an item of clothing for the convenience of daily treatment of a fungal infection. The users (patients with tinea pedis) will undergo both non-pharmacological and pharmacological treatments to reduce the microbial overgrowth on their feet.

Awards & Patent

Gold Medal - 40th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva, Switzerland (April 2012)
Special prize - Gold Medal from Association “Russian House for International Scientific and Technological Cooperation” (April 2012)

Patent Application No.:

13/219,248 (US)

Principal Investigator

Prof. Marcus Chun-wah YUEN

Deputy Investigator

Dr Joanne Yiu-wan YIP

Institute of Textiles and Clothing

Download PDF version

Hygienic Socks with Antifungal Microcapsules for Patients with Tinea Pedis (Athlete’s foot)

Development of hygienic socks to increase the successful rate of curing patients with tinea pedis and reduce the chance of relapse