Mycosis of the feet and hands – how to recognize it? Diagnosis and treatment of mycosis

Proven content

Tinea of ​​the feet and hands is a fungal infection of the skin occurring in the feet, rarely hands (tinea pedis is almost always secondary to athlete’s foot). In very rare cases, mycosis of the hands may be the primary disease with occupational exposure to dermatophytes. We can distinguish various forms of this ailment, incl. steam or potnicowa.

What is athlete’s foot and hand mycosis?

Mycosis of the feet and hands is fungal infectionwhich is located around the feet and hands (less common). The most common cause of ailments is infection with microscopic fungi: T. rubrum, T. mentagrophytes var. interdigitale, E. floccosum. You can catch the disease during a visit to the gym, sauna or swimming pool, and in all places where it is damp and warm. Treatment of mycosis of the skin is a long process, and the ailment itself unfortunately likes to come back. The biggest challenge is the elderly with reduced immunity who take steroids or work in places where infection is conducive to them.

Mycosis of the feet and hands – types

There are various forms of mycosis of the feet and hands, incl. potnicową, maceration, steam and keratinizing. On the hands, the most common is exfoliating variety, characterized by fine scales that stick strongly to the erythematous substrate, painful cracks often occur. The lesions are asymmetrical and the hands are dry and rough. Occasionally, the nails may be involved (Figure G-28).

Factors increasing the risk of mycosis of the feet and hands

Among the factors contributing to the formation of fungal conditions, we can mention:

1. the presence of HIV,
2. past fungal infections (especially of the feet and nails),
3. chronic use of antibiotics and immunosuppressants,
4. neoplastic disease,
5. kidney failure and hyperthyroidism,
6. people suffering from diabetes,
7. people after transplant,
8. regular contact with animals that may be infected with mycosis,
9. excessive sweating,
10. chronic alcoholism.

Symptoms of athlete’s foot

Tinea pedis is much more common than tinea pedis. Its characteristic symptoms include:

1. peeling of the skin
2. erythematous changes,
3. layering of the epidermis,
4. the presence of vesicles with serous content,
5. the presence of lesions between the fourth and fifth fingers.

If athlete’s foot is not treated, it can affect the nails. It starts with discoloration of the side part of the nail plate (it turns yellow and finally black) and ends with the destruction of the entire nail plate: the plate thickens, rises and begins to hurt. In advanced form of the disease the nail plate begins to detach from the nail bed, and the finger becomes painful, sensitive to the slightest pressure, and even the most comfortable shoes hurt it.

If you notice disturbing symptoms on the skin of the feet, see a specialist as soon as possible to determine a treatment method.

As an alternative, you can always use Zabłocka brine soap for skin problems (dandruff, mycosis, eczema, psoriasis), which are currently available at a promotional price on Medonet Market.

Symptoms of mycosis of the hand

A rash is a characteristic symptom of mycosis of the hand. It usually appears on the toes, and the infection itself usually attacks the nails, leading to onychomycosis. The typical symptoms of this ailment are:

1. vesicles and papules (often with serous content) located on the lateral surface of the fingers or hands;
2. reddening of the skin;
3. loss of pink nail color;
4. burning and itching at the site of lesions;
5. peeling of the skin;
6. dry skin;
7. change in the natural color of the nail.

Blue Cap body spray for skin inflammation works soothingly on the symptoms of fungal diseases, which you can buy today at a promotional price on the Medonet Market.

Diagnosis of athlete’s foot and hand mycosis

The preparation lightened with KOH / DMSO enables quick detection of the presence of the fungus, while the cultivation on Sabouraud’s medium enables identification of the species. Diagnosis of mycosis of the hands it is usually made on the basis of the clinical picture and after excluding skin diseases that cause similar symptoms. The disease should be differentiated from psoriasis, candidiasis, eczema and sweat dermatitis.

In the case of psoriasis, it is necessary to use a different type of preparation. We recommend e.g. EPTA PSO 10 Psoriasis Skin Emulsion or EPTA PSO 50 Plus Intensive Cream for psoriasis lesions, which can be ordered separately or in the EPTA PSO 50 Body Care Kit with 50% urea for body care with psoriasis or in a comprehensive body care kit, scalp and nails with EPTA PSO psoriasis.

The remaining diagnostic tests are similar to any mycosis:

1. mushroom breeding,
2. skin biopsy.

There is talk of a characteristic clinical symptom that suggests that the rash is fungal in origin. This symptom is called “two feet-one hand” – then bilateral tinea pedis is additionally accompanied by tinea pediswhich is located on the skin of the hand used to scratch feet initially affected by mycosis.

Check also:

1. Treatment of athlete’s foot
2. Skin mycosis – symptoms, treatment
3. Systemic mycoses – a difficult opponent

How to treat athlete’s foot and hand mycosis?

Most of the well-diagnosed mycoses of the feet and hands resolve after modern topical treatment antifungal preparations in the form of ointments and gels (imidazole derivatives) for 2-4 weeks of treatment. In the case of long-lasting infections affecting large areas of the skin, oral treatment is indicated azole preparations.

When treating mycosis on the hands, it is important to combat additional skin lesions as well as excessive sweating, which may aggravate the symptoms of fungal infection. It is worth mentioning that infection with dermatophytes it is chronic and likes to come back, and treatment is usually long-term and requires diligence on the part of the patient.

If mycosis has attacked our feet – you need to make sure that we have removed it not only from our feet, towels or socks. Shoes are an important bastion in which they can defend themselves for a long time. Although this is not good news (shoes are expensive and we are especially attached to them), it should be throw away all shoesthat we wore just before and during the period of infection. Otherwise, athlete’s foot will recur.

What’s the prognosis?

The infection with mycosis of the feet and hands is chronic and recurrent. Treatment requires regularity and consistency on the part of the patient and the doctor. Prevention is important.

DIG. G-28. Changes in the skin of the hands caused by Trichophyton rubrum.