clarity-hiding

Because fear of being caught without my shoes on is the only real concrete fear I've ever had (that hasn't involved monsters in the closet, I mean).

These are horrible containment procedures, need to figure out something better beyond just, "Yeah, it's endemic in most of the world, so we just cross our fingers and hope that people will take it upon themselves to pay the $6 to treat it when their feet start looking really gross." …would post-hypnotic suggestions to treat athlete's foot infections on a daily basis work? (Does the Foundation even do post-hypnotic suggestions? Amnestics would suggest that they do… Hmm.)

Changing it to Safe since it can be easily treated and contained up through Stage III, and it takes a fair amount of neglect to get to Stage IV. Not going to add MTF E-2 Odor Eaters, because it would just be ridiculous to have a MTF dedicated to hunting down and "combating" athlete's foot.

Subject exhibiting Stage III of SCP-XXXX. At time of photograph, subject was under light sedation.

Athlete's Feet

Item #: SCP-XXXX

Object Class: Safe

Special Containment Procedures: Lab samples of SCP-XXXX are to be kept in standard cold storage at Sector-07. Since it is understood that at least 7% of all Foundation personnel are infected with Stage I of SCP-XXXX, a Foundation-wide anti-fungal regime consisting of, but not limited to, thrice-weekly administrations of topical forms of clotrimazole (alternating with tolnaftate on a monthly basis), is to be followed in an effort to contain the spread SCP-XXXX and limit the possibility of progression to Stage II or later.

Due to endemic nature of tinea pedis in most parts of the world, and a lack of definite means to easily distinguish SCP-XXXX from the non-anomalous Trichophyton rubrum, containment of SCP-XXXX at this time is limited to a global campaign emphasizing the importance of proper pedal hygiene, supplemented by occasional generous donations from Foundation front companies to various medical research organizations with the stipulation that the donated funds be used in the pursuit and development of cheaper, more-effective methods of anti-fungal treatment than those currently available.

Uncontained instances of SCP-XXXX (all instances of infection found outside of Foundation personnel) found to be in Stages I or II are to be considered inconsequential and of low priority. Infections that have reached Stage III are to be monitored when feasible, though with equally low concern. All instances of infection that have progressed to Stage IV are to be dealt with immediately in accordance with Treatment Regime XXXX-IV, as outlined in Document XXXX-IV, to ensure public ignorance of anomalous nature of SCP-XXXX and prevent possibility of progression to Stage V. Any individuals found to have progressed to Stage V of SCP-XXXX are to be terminated with impunity.

When possible, standard detox procedures, as detailed in Document XXXX-A, are to be carried out within any place of residence where SCP-XXXX has been present.

Description: SCP-XXXX is a fungal infection of the skin caused by the parasitic fungus Trichophyton mordum, and, as such, can be classed as a form of tinea pedis (and, in more advanced Stages, tinea unguium), more commonly known as athlete's foot. Unlike tinea pedis caused by the non-anomalous Trichophyton rubrum (which studies have shown to clear up naturally without medication in 30–40% of cases), SCP-XXXX will only respond to medicated treatment, and must be treated for the remainder of the subject's life to ensure SCP-XXXX does not progress beyond the easily-managed Stage I level of infection.

+ Stages of SCP-XXXX infection

Stages of SCP-XXXX infection are as follows:

Stage I: During Stage I, infection exhibits no anomalous effects, behaving the same as non-anomalous tinea pedis and is indistinguishable from such, which the exception of a higher level of durability. At this Stage, infection can be combated with topical, over-the-counter anti-fungal agents (such as clotrimazole or tolnaftate) commonly used to treat tinea pedis, though Foundation research has indicated that frequent (every 5–10 days) changes between formulas used is more effective than use of only one formula over a long period of time. Though it is impossible to eradicate SCP-XXXX from a subject once infection has set in, careful and constant application of suitable medication is enough to prevent SCP-XXXX from progressing beyond Stage I.

Stage II: Stage II begins when one or more of the subject's nail beds becomes infected by the fungus, disrupting the integrity of the nail and causing it to take on a yellowish hue. During Stage II, subject exhibits increased likelihood of wearing footwear (socks, slippers, sandals, shoes, etc.), despite circumstances that do not necessarily warrant it, such as around the subject's place of residence or when sleeping at night. If infection continues untreated, subjects become increasingly concerned with ensuring that their feet remain covered at all times, including situations in which footwear would be considered abnormal, such as wearing socks while bathing or swimming. When questioned regarding this practice, subjects describe experiencing a sense of relief following the donning of such items.

Note that during this Stage, subjects exhibit no abnormal behavior outside of new footwear habits; however, these new habits encourage subjects to maintain poor pedal hygiene, frequently causing infection to advance and spread. SCP-XXXX's effects can still be reversed at this time through careful application of appropriate medications; however, unlike Stage I infections, Stage II infections require stronger, prescription-based medications. Generally, topical lacquers containing an infusion of ciclopirox oxlamine are effective at combatting Stage II infection when used in conjunction with other, more readily-available treatments. The next Stage of the infection begins when approximately 40% of the subject's sole and 30% of the subject's nail beds have become infected, with at least two or more nails having progressed to a point that the nail has begun to exhibit cracking and separation.

Stage III: Stage III of SCP-XXXX is typified by the subject perceiving any floor or ground trod upon as increasingly treacherous. This typically begins with occasional minor complaints of a foreign object ("lump") in the subject's shoe or sock that he or she cannot find to remove. As Stage III of the infection progresses, subject increasingly shows preference for shoes over lesser footwear (i.e., simple sandals or socks without shoes), expressing a need for thicker soles. The previously-described lump sensation gives way to the subject describing all ground and floor as feeling similar to and behaving the same as increasingly treacherous terrain under their feet. Described terrain conditions have included:

• a woodchip playground
• an asphalt street at midday, during summer
• a gravel drive
• a mountain path
• a bed of pins
• an ʻaʻā flow
• a bed of hot coals
• an obsidian field

Stage III subjects only experience a change in terrain when walking upon flooring, carpeting, pavement, and ground. At no point in time have Stage III subjects experienced anomalous sensations when putting their feet up on a bed or other piece of furniture. Similarly, subjects during this Stage only experience anomalous sensations via the bottom of their feet.¹
Though less success has been found with subjects at Stage III, a treatment regime similar to that prescribed for Stage II can in some cases still be effective despite the advanced state of the infection. Use of Stage II treatments on Stage III has a limited success rate in most cases, however; generally, a Stage III infection must be treated with an oral antifungal such as terbinafine, itraconazole, or fluconazole.

Stage IV: Once SCP-XXXX has reached Stage IV, subjects begin to react physically to SCP-XXXX's effects. Whereas Stage III subjects experience treacherous terrain in a purely psychological manner, subjects at Stage IV have displayed cuts, burns, and other injuries on their feet congruent with the terrain they claim to have experienced. The subject's footwear will display similar damage.² The secondary symptom of Stage IV infection is an increased level of paranoia, with many subjects describing a nebulous sensation of imminent peril and a need to be prepared in the event that this unnamed hazard manifests itself more concretely. Many Stage IV subjects develop a habit of frequently glancing back over their left shoulder, expressing a vague worry of being followed.

No effective cure has been found for SCP-XXXX after it has progressed to Stage IV outside of amputation of all infected limbs at mid-calf. Though success of this procedure is variable, the rate of failure is low enough (37%) as to fall within an acceptable margin of error.

Stage V: At Stage V, SCP-XXXX-infected individuals express the belief that they are being chased by an unknown person or persons who intend to cause the subject great harm if they are caught. As such, Stage V subjects exhibit a heightened level of fear and distress if not given free-reign in their comings and goings, to the extent that many Stage V individuals (70%) have experienced panic-induced myocardial infarctions if locked in a room. Due to high fatality rates resulting from dehydration (24%), panic attacks (28%), over-exertion (43%), and other miscellaneous health-related episodes, it is undetermined at this time as to whether or not Stage V subject's claims of being pursued are strictly delusional in nature.

Footnotes

1. Note: There are no plans at this time to conduct any experiments involving subjects with SCP-XXXX infected finger- or thumbnails to see if infected hands experience the same sensations as feet.

2. Dr. ██████ theorizes that this may indicate that subjects are, in fact, experiencing a limited form of a trans-spatial displacement as a result of SCP-XXXX, though there is little evidence to support this theory at this time.