Hand fungus

introduction

Hand mushroom (Tinea manuum) is a disease of the skin on the hand caused by fungi (Mycoses) is triggered. The most common pathogen of such an infection are yeasts of the genus Candida. Yeasts prefer to colonize mucous membranes or moist, warm parts of the body, such as skin folds or the genital area. In this case one speaks of a thrush (e.g. Genital thrush).
For the development of hand, nail or athlete's foot, filamentous fungi (Dermatophytes) responsible.

causes

The causes for the development of a hand fungus are diverse. The pathogens occur constantly in our environment. In Swimming pools, Saunas, in the ground, at Animals. Skin fungi are found in almost everyone, but do not have to be one immediately infection trigger. This mainly happens when that immune system does not work properly, with previous illnesses (e.g. diabetes) or taking drugs that suppress the immune system.
Are also affected children with an immature immune system or elderly with weakened immune system.

The hand fungus can also have a Athlete's foot as the underlying cause. Patients with athlete's foot often suffer from itching, many admit the need scratch gradually the pathogens reach the hands. Then you forget that Wash your hands, the fungi have the chance to colonize the hand and cause an infection.

transmission

Hand fungus is transmitted either from Person to person or through Contact or smear infection. If the fungus is passed on from person to person, this is often enough simple handshake out to get infected. In Swimming pools, Saunas or public sanitary facilities, but also in nature, it is enough to touch something that has fungal spores on it to cause an infection.

Symptoms

A fungal infection of the hand usually starts slowly. Between the fingersThe fungus appears first where moisture and heat are created by friction. At first just make up Redness and slight itching noticeable, later the itching intensifies up to pain, the skin becomes scaly, sometimes imagines whitish coating.

In addition, some have hand mushroom shapes small, itchy blisters on. These are mostly on the palm and on the Fingertips to find. In the further course these vesicles grow closed large, scaly areas of skin together that can occupy the whole palm of your hand.

In other cases, so-called Rhagades on. Are rhagades painful tears the damaged skin areas. The main problem with the formation of rhagades is the fact that the cracks in the skin cause other pathogens (bacteria) can penetrate, which dangerous accompanying infections (Superinfections) that may even cause treatment with Antibiotics need.

Please also read our article on the genre Mushrooms.

Pictures of those affected

How contagious is a hand fungus?

Infection by a fungus rarely occurs through the soil. The transmission from animals to humans is also rather rare. Much more often, the infection to a person takes place through people who are already sick. The fungus is also often transmitted indirectly via objects containing pathogens, such as (damp) sports mats. In general, however, the risk of infection with a hand fungus is relatively low.

If a hand fungus becomes contagious, the person at risk must have been exposed to a large amount of the fungus. In addition, there is usually already a weakness of the skin on the hands, so that the fungus can settle better. In general, people with a weak immune system are more at risk of contracting hand fungus. People who sweat a lot on their hands and who also wear gloves, for example, or who live in damp areas have an increased risk of becoming infected. This is because the mushrooms can multiply better in damp areas. Even if the risk of infection with a hand fungus is relatively low, direct contact with sick people should be avoided in order to keep the risk of infection as low as possible.

Read more on this topic at: How contagious are yeasts?

Hand fungus- what to do

If you suspect you are suffering from hand fungus, you may have to several differential diagnoses be taken into account. Besides hand fungus you can also Allergies or Eczema as part of a Neurodermatitis Skin changes with Redness, Scaling and itching cause. So it is always advisable to have one Dermatologist (Dermatologist) and undergo an expert examination there.
The dermatologist can either go through a Eye diagnosis or by one smear, which is then examined under the microscope, confirm the diagnosis of hand fungus. In rare types of mushrooms, a Pathogen culture cultivated in the laboratory to find out which pathogen it is exactly.
Only then can properly treated and a recurrence of the fungal attack (Relapse) be prevented.

Not recommended on the other hand is self-therapy with Home remedies how yogurt, garlic, vinegar or Tea tree oil, because aggressive substances such as vinegar and garlic only affect the already damaged skin further damage. This will give access for other germs, like bacteria tremendously relieved, it can too Accompanying infections come.

However, you can get a new yeast infection prevent. Mushrooms like warm and humid environments. Thorough drying of the hands as well as sufficient but not excessive Hand hygiene can be helpful. A mild, pH-neutral soap should be used to clean the hands. The use of Skin disinfectants, for example after using public sanitary facilities, can help, but should only be used in combination with moisturizing hand cream as disinfectants crack the surface of the skin and create ideal conditions for fungal spores to penetrate.

Hand fungus in children

children are generally more vulnerable to contract a fungal infection. Therefore, a fungal disease - including hand fungus - is more common in children. This is mainly due to the fact that the Immune system not yet mature and the fungus therefore has a better chance of penetrating the skin.

The transmission of the hand fungus occurs as in adults via infected people, animals or Objects.

In general, however, hand fungus in children can be treated well. Therefore, a dermatologist should definitely be consulted who will Diagnosis and second one adequate treatment starts.

In children, too, the treatment of hand fungus is carried out using locally applied antifungal creams and ointments that contain the same active ingredients as in adults. During the treatment, in addition to the cream application, care should also be taken to ensure that the child was using it Disinfected gloves become and for example Swimming pool visits avoided become.

Therapy - what drugs are there?

To treat a Fungal disease (Mycosis) are called Antifungal drugs used. These are either applied locally - i.e. directly to the affected areas of the hand - in the form of an ointment or cream or swallowed orally (orally).

The Local treatment is the standard and is done with so-called Broad-spectrum antifungal drugs. Broad spectrum means that the active ingredients contained in the drug attack many different types of fungus.

The active ingredients used in a hand fungus include, among others Terbinafine, azoles (Clotrimazole, Miconazole, Bifonazole) and Ciclopiroxolamine. If local treatment does not cure the hand fungus, the oral medications mentioned earlier are prescribed. These include active ingredients such as Griseofulvin, itraconazole and Terbinafine.

Antimycotics come in a wide variety of forms that are used depending on the location of the fungal attack. Suppositories come at Vaginal fungus for use, Tinctures if the Mucous membranes, Nail polishes at Nail fungus.

Canesten® against hand fungus

Canesten® is an antifungal agent in the form of a creamwho have the active ingredient Clotrimazole contains. This active ingredient can be used in the event of an attack by various fungi such as Dermatophytes, yeasts and molds can be applied to the hand fungus.

Therefore counts Canesten® to the Broad-spectrum antifungal drugs. The active ingredient contained Clotrimazole inhibits the formation of an important building block of the fungus wall and thus stops the fungus from multiplying. The Canesten® cream is mostly 1-3 times a day applied to the hand fungus and rubbed in. The application is usually for 4 weeks.

In rare cases it can occur during use Burning, redness, or stinging of the skin come as a side effect reaction to Canesten®.

Please also read our topic: Canesten®

Ointments and creams

Ointments and creams are at foot- and Hand fungus the means of choice. To treat hand fungus, a local application of ointment is usually started, this depending on the severity of the infection once or several times a day must be applied.
The advantage of ointment treatment is that it is quick Reduction of itching. As a result, those affected have less need to scratch and the risk of the infection spreading is reduced. If local therapy does not work, asystemic“ (cross-body) Therapy with tablets was used.
The active ingredient used here, the Fluconazole Depending on the dose, either has a fungistatic effect, i.e. inhibits the growth of fungi or is fungicidal (fungicidal). The main disadvantage of general therapy with fluconazole is this liver damaging effect of the drug. It can therefore only be used in patients with healthy liver.

More on this topic at: Antifungal agents

forecast

Because of the wide spectrum of mushroom species also differ Duration and forecast the disease. Normally, the complaints will sound with local ointment treatment quickly from. But you shouldn't be fooled by this, it usually takes a while up to three weeks, until the skin has completely regenerated and a new infection no longer occurs.
Unfortunately there is too chronic fungal diseases, during the course of which the infection keeps coming back very persistently despite drug treatment. Therapy with tablets can then over several months be carried out in order to achieve freedom from symptoms.