Tinea manuum
| Tinea manuum | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Tinea manus antifungals[3] |
| Medication | Terbinafine, itraconazole, clotrimazole, fluconazole, ketoconazole[3] |
Tinea manuum is a fungal infection of the hand, mostly a type of dermatophytosis, often part of two feet-one hand syndrome.[2][4] There is diffuse scaling on the palms or back of usually one hand and the palmer creases appear more prominent.[2] When both hands are affected, the rash looks different on each hand, with palmer creases appearing whitish if the infection has been present for a long time.[5] It can be itchy and look slightly raised.[5] Nails may also be affected.[5]
The most common cause is Trichophyton rubrum.[2] The infection can result from touching another area of the body with a fungal infection such as athlete's foot or fungal infection of groin, contact with an infected person or animal, or from contact with soil or contaminated towels.[5] Risk factors include diabetes, high blood pressure, weak immune system, humid surroundings, excessive sweating, recurrent hand trauma and cracks in feet.[3] Pet owners and farmworkers are also at higher risk.[5] Machine operators, mechanics, gas/electricity workers and people who work with chemicals have also been reported to be at greater risk.[6]
Diagnosis is by visualization, direct
It occurs worldwide.[3] One large study revealed around 84% of tinea manuum was associated with athlete's foot, of which 80% admitted scratching their feet, and 60% were male,[6]
Signs and symptoms
There is usually an itch, with generalised dry flaky thick skin of the palm of a hand.[3] Frequently, one hand is affected, but it can be in both.[3] If the back of the hand is affected, it may appear as reddish circles like in ringworm.[3] Sometimes there are no symptoms.[3] The feet may be affected as in two feet-one hand syndrome.[2]
Cause
The most common cause is Trichophyton rubrum.[2] Other causes include Trichophyton verrucosum (from cattle), Microsporum canis (from a cat or dog), Trichophyton erinacei (from a hedgehog), Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Epidermophyton floccosum, Trichophyton interdigitale, and more rarely Microsporum gypseum, Trichophyton eriotrephon, and Arhroderma benhamiae.[3][5]
Tinea manuum can result from touching another area of the body with a fungal infection such as athlete's foot or tinea cruris, contact with an infected person or animal, or from contact with soil or contaminated towels.[5]
Risk factors
Diabetes, high blood pressure, weak immune system, humid surroundings, excessive sweating, recurrent hand trauma and cracks in feet are risk factors for tinea manuum.[3] Pet owners and farmworkers are also at higher risk.[3][5]
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is by visualization, direct microscopy and culture.[3]
Differential diagnosis
Psoriasis of the palms, pompholyx and contact dermatitis may appear similar.[3]
Prevention
Prevention is focussed on hygiene such as washing hands, avoiding scratching the feet or touching fungal toe infections.[3]
Treatment
Treatment is usually with long-term topical
Epidemiology
Tinea manuum is most common in young adult males.[3] Dermatophyte infections occur in up to a quarter of the world's population, of which the hands and feet are most commonly involved.[3] It occurs worldwide.[3] One large study revealed around 84% of tinea manuum was associated with athlete's foot, of which 80% admitted scratching their feet, and 60% were male, [6]
See also
- List of cutaneous conditions
References
- ISBN 978-1-4511-4600-4.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-7020-6830-0.
- ^ PMID 32644474.
- ISBN 978-1-4160-2999-1.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Tinea manuum". dermnetnz.org. Retrieved 27 September 2021.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-119-40571-9.