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Tinea Manuum: Fungal Infection on Hands Explained

When people hear the term athlete’s foot, they often associate it with an itchy, red, and scaly rash on the feet. However, a similar fungal infection can also affect the hands—a condition known as tinea manuum. While tinea manuum and athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) share the same underlying fungal causes, athlete’s foot refers exclusively to infections of the feet, while tinea manuum describes fungal infections on one or both hands.

If you’re experiencing dry, thickened skin on your palms or itchy, round patches on the back of your hands, understanding tinea manuum can help you seek proper treatment. Here’s what you need to know.

What is Tinea Manuum?

Tinea manuum commonly appears on:

  • The palms
  • The back of the hands
  • The skin folds between fingers

It is frequently seen alongside athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) and can be spread from the feet to the hands by scratching or touching infected areas. This pattern is often called “two feet, one hand syndrome,” where both feet are infected, and the infection spreads to one hand (source).

Can You Get Athlete’s Foot on Your Hands?

No, athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) only affects the feet. However, the same fungus responsible for athlete’s foot can cause an infection on the hands, which is called tinea manuum. Fungal infections from one body part can transfer to another, but the medical condition and treatment can differ for each body part.

If you have a fungal infection on both your feet and hands, it’s often due to self-transmission from touching or scratching an infected area. Treating both infections at the same time can be essential to prevent reinfection.

Tinea Manuum Symptoms and How to Recognize Them

Early Symptoms of Tinea Manuum

Tinea manuum may initially resemble dry skin or eczema, making it difficult to identify. Some key signs include:

  • Round, scaly patches that enlarge over time
  • Itchy, flaky, or peeling skin, often mistaken for dermatitis
  • One hand appearing significantly drier or more irritated than the other

Advanced Symptoms of Tinea Manuum

If untreated, tinea manuum can worsen and cause:

  • Thickened skin, especially on the palm
  • Painful cracks or deep fissures in the skin
  • Blistering or peeling, particularly between the fingers
  • Fungal nail infections (onychomycosis), causing nails to become brittle or discolored

How Does Tinea Manuum Develop?

Fungi thrive in warm, humid environments such as gyms, locker rooms, and swimming pools. Common transmission sources include:

  • Direct skin contact with an infected person or pet
  • Touching contaminated surfaces (towels, gloves, shared gym equipment)
  • Self-transmission from an existing fungal infection, such as athlete’s foot

Risk Factors Includes: Certain individuals are more susceptible to tinea manuum, including:

  • People who frequently use public showers, pools, or locker rooms
  • Individuals with excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis)
  • Those with weakened immune systems (diabetes, HIV, cancer)
  • Workers who regularly handle animals, chemicals, or soil
  • Athletes involved in contact sports (wrestling, football)

Diagnosing Tinea Manuum

A healthcare provider can diagnose tinea manuum through:

  • Visual Examination: Looking for characteristic ring-shaped lesions
  • KOH Skin Scraping Test: Identifying fungal elements under a microscope
  • Dermoscopy: Using a handheld magnifier to detect scaly patches and discoloration
  • Fungal Culture: Growing the fungus in a lab to confirm the type of dermatophyte

Treatment Options for Tinea Manuum

Tinea manuum is treatable with antifungal medications. Your doctor may recommend:

  • Topical Antifungal Creams: Over-the-counter or prescription creams, such as terbinafine, applied directly to the affected area. Please note, that while the fungal infection on the hands (Tinea Manuum) is caused by a similar fungal infection as athlete’s foot (Tinea Pedis), it is treated differently. Thus, please ensure your topical antifungal cream is specifically formulated for Tinea Manuum.
  • Oral Antifungal Medications: In severe or persistent cases, oral antifungals like itraconazole or fluconazole may be prescribed.

Supportive Care

  • Keep Hands Dry: Thoroughly dry your hands after washing, focusing on areas between the fingers.
  • Moisturize Wisely: Use non-greasy, fragrance-free moisturizers to prevent excessive dryness without creating a moist environment for fungi.

Preventing Tinea Manuum

Preventing fungal infections requires mindful hygiene and precautions:

  • Avoid Sharing Personal Items: Don’t share gloves, towels, or sports equipment.
  • Wash Hands After Touching Infected Areas: If you have athlete’s foot, wash your hands thoroughly after applying antifungal creams to your feet.
  • Wear Breathable Gloves: If your work involves prolonged glove use, opt for gloves that allow airflow.

When to Seek Professional Help

Consult a healthcare provider if:

  • Symptoms do not improve with OTC treatments
  • The infection spreads to nails or other body parts
  • You have a weakened immune system and suspect a fungal infection

FAQ: Tinea Manuum

How do you get rid of tinea manuum?

Tinea manuum, (mistaken for athlete’s foot on the hands), is typically treated with antifungal creams, powders, or sprays that target the infection. It’s important to follow the treatment as prescribed and keep the hands clean and dry. In severe cases, oral antifungal medication may be needed.

Can tinea manuum go away on its own?

No, tinea manuum requires treatment with antifungal medications. Without treatment, the infection can persist and spread.

Is tinea manuum the same as ringworm?

Yes, tinea manuum is a type of ringworm that affects the hands. “Ringworm” refers to a fungal infection caused by dermatophytes, and tinea manuum is just the term used when this infection occurs on the hands.

Can athlete’s foot spread to hands?

Yes, if athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) is scratched or touched, the infection can transfer to the hands, causing tinea manuum.

What is tinea manuum caused by?

Tinea manuum is caused by a fungal infection, usually from dermatophytes, that thrives in warm, moist environments. It can spread through direct contact with infected skin, contaminated surfaces, or shared items like towels or sports equipment.

Is tinea manuum contagious?

Yes, tinea manuum is highly contagious and can spread through skin contact, contaminated objects, and shared personal items.

How long is tinea manuum contagious?

Tinea manuum is contagious as long as the infection is present. This can last until the infection has been fully treated and cleared, which can take several weeks depending on the severity. It’s important to avoid sharing personal items and to practice good hygiene during treatment.

How long does it take for tinea manuum to heal?

With treatment, tinea manuum typically resolves within 2-6 weeks. However, full recovery depends on consistent treatment and avoiding reinfection.

Can athlete’s foot spread to other parts of your body?

Yes, athlete’s foot can spread to other parts of the body, such as the groin (jock itch), hands (tinea manuum) and nails. It can also spread to other individuals if proper hygiene practices are not followed. Treatment should be applied consistently to prevent further spread.

Is athlete’s foot on hand contagious?

Athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) only affects the feet, but the same fungus that causes athlete’s foot can infect the hands, resulting in tinea manuum. Tinea manuum is highly contagious and can spread through direct skin contact with an infected person, contaminated surfaces, or personal items such as towels, gloves, and sports equipment. Practicing good hygiene, keeping hands clean and dry, and avoiding touching infected areas can help prevent transmission.

How do you treat athlete’s foot on your hands?

Athlete’s foot does not affect the hands, but if the same fungal infection spreads from the feet to the hands, it is called tinea manuum. This condition is typically treated with topical antifungal creams. In severe cases, oral antifungal medication may be needed. Keeping hands clean and dry, avoiding scratching infected areas, and treating any existing athlete’s foot infection at the same time is crucial to prevent reinfection.

What does athlete’s foot on hands look like?

Athlete’s foot only affects the feet (tinea pedis), but when the same fungal infection occurs on the hands, it is called tinea manuum. This condition typically presents as red, scaly patches or ring-shaped rashes on the back of the hand. The skin on the palms may become dry, thickened, or cracked, sometimes resembling eczema. In some cases, peeling, flaking, or blistering occurs, particularly around the fingers. Itchiness or burning sensations may develop and worsen over time. The infection often affects only one hand, particularly in cases of “two feet, one hand syndrome,” where the fungus spreads from an athlete’s foot infection on the feet to one hand. If left untreated, tinea manuum can extend to the nails, leading to fungal nail infections (onychomycosis).