Tinea Manuum

Tinea Manuum is one of the several tinea infections that are caused due to fungi. This complication actually occurs in hands but is a rare disease as compared to tinea pedis which is a fungal infection of foot. A person infected by this disorder has rashes which are scabrous and feel itchiness and inflammation as well as burning sensation. This disease equally targets both sexes - whether males or females and of any age-group. However, children are more prone to tinea manuum. This is a very contagious disease and an individual can catch it either from an infected human, animal, object or even soil.

Tinea Manuum Symptoms

The most common symptom is formation of scabrous rashes either on the palms or between the fingers of an infected person. These rashes are slightly lifted in the edges and resemble healthy skin in their middle. Such rashes become evident when an individual gets infected either through some animal or through the soil. The affected areas also desquamate because of desiccation. An individual may often desire to scratch the rashes because of burns and inflammation. However, the rashes do not pain. The infected person should quickly take treatment methods to get rid of this disorder or else cracks will appear on the skin that may sometimes bleed.

Tinea Manuum Causes

Basically caused by fungi, tinea manuum is a communicable disease that spread rapidly. When any healthy person has skin contact with an infected one including sexual intercourse, the disease is quickly transferred. Similarly, if anyone is already suffering from other fungal infections such as infection of foot or infection of groin, he is more prone to tinea manuum. The people who frequently come in contact with animals are also likely to get infected by the disease such as those who are hunters or who have domestic animals like cats, dogs or cattle. Similarly, those who are fond of gardening or farmers can also catch the disease through infected soil. Using or sharing the personal belongings of an infected person like towels, bed sheets, combs, etc. can also transmit the disease easily. If an individual is already suffering from dermatitis or eczema in hands, tinea manuum can promptly infect him/her.

Tinea Manuum Diagnosis

The doctor will easily comprehend that an individual is suffering from tinea manuum by looking at the rough rashes and by inquiring about its associated symptoms. Sometimes, a sample of the rashes would be taken out through scrapping to study deeply about the causes of the disease. Dermatitis in hands also resembles symptoms similar to tinea manuum but still the latter has some specific features that clearly differentiate it from the former. In a majority of the cases, tinea manuum infects only one hand of an individual. Even if the disease occurs in both the hands the doctor will easily find that the appearance of the complication is not symmetrical. Since the rashes also appear between the fingers, the disease is also likely to affect the nails. Similarly, those having dermatitis have adequate marks on their skin while affected rashes in tinea manuum are scurfy and look whitish.

Tinea Manuum Treatment

It takes at least a fortnight or a month to completely cure an infected person. Since this tinea manuum is not serious hence it can also be treated through topical application of some specific creams on the affected area without the prescription of doctor. The rashes of the infected person are either wet or dry and in both the cases there are medicated creams to deal the problems. However, if itchiness and inflammation is more then you should promptly go to the doctor for treatment because the frequent scratching may sometimes lead to secondary bacterial infection. In certain cases, in spite of applying cream on the affected areas, an individual does not get relief and such people are asked to take medicines orally. In case, the disease has affected your nails then also you would have to take a course of oral medication.

Prevention of Tinea Manuum

Since moist conditions favor fungi to develop, it is advisable to dry your skin properly after taking bath.

Avoid wearing tight fitting clothes because in that case your sweats will not evaporate easily and some of the areas will remain moist and invite fungi.

Those who perspire excessively should immediately change clothes, socks and undergarments if they become damp because of sweats.

Talcum powder can be used to keep the moist areas of the body dry.

Those who are taking a long course of medication or suffering from any chronic disease are more prone to catch tinea manuum hence they should promptly visit to doctor when the symptoms of this disorder appear.