Hand Fungus
Hand Fungus Types and Treatments
Hand fungus is not only an irritating condition, but it can also be quite embarrassing to deal with. Fungi are plant-like beings that can cause many different types of infection, particularly infection of the skin. Some types of fungus are present in the human body naturally, such as yeast, but an overabundance of even the natural fungi can lead to an infection.
Fungal infections can plague any part of the body, not just the hands—although hand fungus is more common than many people realize. I would like to start out by discussing the most popular kinds of fungal infections, then move on to types of treatment that are usually quite successful in clearing up a fungal infection of the skin.
Ringworm (aka: “Tinea Corporis") is a common fungal infection that usually affects the hands and arms. It is contagious to the touch, which means that touching the affected area and then touching another part of the body can spread the condition. The name “ringworm” often leads people to believe that it is caused by a worm, but this is not true—it is definitely caused by a fungus. Ringworm can be spread from cats and dogs to humans, as well as from human to human, so there are a number of ways that this can be acquired. The symptoms of ringworm include a very itchy rash that spread in a ring-like fashion, however it doesn’t always stick to this shape.
Tinea Manuum is yet another of the infamous Tinea fungal infections. It most often affects the hands and is much less common than its cousin, Athlete’s Foot (Tinea Pedis). Tinea Manuum can be contracted through others with the infection, animals, soil, and even objects contaminated with the fungus. As far as symptoms go, this one’s a doozie! The hands develop scabby rashes that generally affect the palm and the areas between fingers. Many people with this infection report a strong burning or inflamed sensation, however it is not outright painful in nature. This infection is very easy to catch and spreads quickly, especially in a person who suffers from eczema or another fungal skin infection.
Pityriasis nigra (aka: “Tinea Nigra”) is not a very common infection overall, but it does tend to target the palm area of the hand. Generally spots of a brown or black color appear on the hands, although they aren’t raised or scaly in texture. This is one fungal infection that can be confused with other conditions. The spots often resemble stains from chemicals such as silver nitrate. It can also resemble Addison’s disease and syphilis.
Most often fungal infections are treated with a prescription cream. It is very important that the cream is used the entire duration that the doctor recommends, and not simply when the symptoms go away. Many people often stop using the cream when the itching goes away or they can no longer detect the ring-like rash. Premature discontinuation of the treatment often leads to re-infection. The amount of time it takes for the infection to clear up will depend on which type of fungus you carry and the severity of the condition. Usually it takes about two weeks to a month for a typical fungal infection to subside.
If you have used the medication that your doctor recommended and you find that you are still suffering symptoms of itchiness, irritation, burning, or if the rash remains visible or continues to spread, you should contact your doctor immediately for a re-examination. If your doctor is unable to treat your infection, he or she may refer you to a dermatologist or a disease specialist who may be able to better treat you. You may feel as if you will be stuck with a hand fungus forever, but the sooner you contact your doctor, the sooner he/she can help you find a solution that works!