What consequence can arise from tinea pedis if proper hygiene is not maintained?

The correct answer highlights an important consequence of tinea pedis, commonly known as athlete's foot. Tinea pedis is a fungal infection that affects the skin of the feet, and if proper hygiene is not maintained, the fungus can easily spread from the skin of the feet to the nails, leading to a condition known as onychomycosis or nail fungal infection.

This progression occurs because the warm and moist environment often found between the toes or on the feet creates ideal conditions for fungi to thrive. If hygiene practices, such as regular washing and drying of the feet, are neglected, the infection can migrate. Once in contact with the nails, the fungus can invade the nail bed and the nail plate itself, causing changes in the appearance of the nails, such as discoloration, thickening, or even separation from the nail bed over time.

In contrast, although separation of the nail plate can be a consequence of nail infections, it is not as directly related to tinea pedis as is the spread of the fungus. Ingrown nails result from improper nail trimming or nail growth patterns rather than fungal infections. Physical injury to the nails does not stem from fungal issues but rather from trauma or external forces acting on the nails. Hence, maintaining