What is the difference between hand eczema and ringworm

Hand eczema and tinea manuum are both diseases that occur on the hands, so these two diseases are quite similar. Many people cannot tell the difference between hand eczema and tinea manuum. In fact, tinea manuum is a fungal infectious skin disease, while hand eczema is an allergic disease. There is an essential difference between the two.

1. Hand eczema

Patients with hand eczema have an allergic constitution. Since their hands are often in contact with various external allergens, such as disinfectants, detergents, chemical products, etc., the rash manifests as dark red spots, dry and rough skin surface, and may also be keratinized and hypertrophic. It is often accompanied by cracking in winter, with varying degrees of itching, and pain when the skin cracks. Once exposed to allergic factors, the rash may worsen, often with polymorphic rashes such as erythema, papules, blisters, and exudation. The rash occurs symmetrically and may occur on the palms, backs of hands, fingers, etc. Patients with a long course of illness often have nail lesions. The nail plate is dark yellow and turbid, thickened, and brittle, with irregular pits, longitudinal ridges, and atrophy on the surface, and the skin around the nail is red and swollen.

2. Ringworm

Tinea manuum is caused by dermatophyte infection on the flexor surfaces of the fingers, between the fingers and on the palms. The rash is mainly manifested as flaky erythema, accompanied by diffuse thickening, roughness and desquamation of the cuticle. The subjective symptoms are not obvious, and cracking may also occur. In the summer, deep blisters may appear in these areas. The blister walls are shiny, the contents are clear, and they are not easy to break. The blisters may also merge into pieces. After the blisters dry, ring-shaped scales are formed, with varying degrees of inflammation and itching. When worsening, it may spread to the back of the hand, forming circular lesions with papules and blisters on the edges. The rash usually occurs first on one hand and is asymmetrical. It is not like hand eczema which is prone to exudation and erosion after contact with allergens.

3. Difference in properties

In short, the clinical manifestations of hand eczema and tinea manuum are different and can be distinguished by visual examination. The rash of eczema is polymorphic, with obvious exudation, occurs symmetrically, and is severely itchy. It often recurs after contact with detergents. The backs and palms of the hands are prone to the disease. The rash of tinea manuum is relatively simple, usually occurring on a single palm. The itching is not obvious, and may affect the back of the hand in severe cases. It is often accompanied by tinea pedis. Patients with a long course of illness have gray fingernails and toenails. The disease is more severe in spring and summer, and improves significantly in autumn and winter. Laboratory test results were different, with fungal microscopy and culture positive for hand tinea and negative for hand eczema. The treatment drugs are different. Hand eczema is often effectively treated with oral antihistamines and topical steroid ointments, but it is prone to relapse. However, topical steroid ointments for tinea manuum can cause the rash to spread, and can be cured by oral and topical antifungal drugs.