Final answer:
Juvenile plantar dermatosis is a non-fungal skin disorder affecting children's feet, while tinea pedis (athlete's foot) is a fungal infection between the toes caused by dermatophytes thriving in moist, dark environments. Tinea pedis is part of a larger group of tinea infections which can affect different body parts.
Step-by-step explanation:
The difference between Juvenile plantar dermatosis and tinea pedis (athlete's foot) is primarily in the cause and presentation of the condition. Juvenile plantar dermatosis is a skin disorder affecting the feet of children and is characterized by dry, red, and cracked skin, often linked to sweating and friction in shoes.
In contrast, tinea pedis is a fungal infection that often presents with itching, burning, and dry, cracked skin between the toes and is caused by dermatophytes, which grow well in moist, dark environments, such as inside sweaty shoes and socks or in public showers.
Tinea pedis is one of several tinea infections caused by different types of fungi, which include not only athlete's foot but also tinea corporis (ringworm), tinea cruris (jock itch), and tinea unguium (onychomycosis - infection of fingernails and toenails).
Dermatophytes that result in these infections are commonly found in the environment, including in soils. They are easily transferred to the skin via contact with other humans and animals, and fungal spores can spread on hair.