Tinea manuum is a contagious skin rash caused by soil-borne fungi, commonly spread by animals or contact with an infected person. It can be prevented by drying the skin thoroughly and not sharing infected items. Treatment includes antifungal creams or oral medications, and infected pets should be treated by a vet.
Tinea manuum is a contagious skin rash caused by soil-borne fungi and is commonly spread by animals or through contact with an infected person. It can develop on the palms or between the fingers, usually only developing on one hand. Similar to athlete’s foot, tinea manuum rashes may look crusty and red and may itch or burn. Sometimes, the infection is confused with psoriasis or eczema because the rash might look similar.
Ringworm is a form of tinea manuum that is found in the soil and is transmitted by animals, especially cats. The outer ridges of the circular rash are usually raised with normal-looking skin in between. Ringworm is most common in children who play in the dirt and have frequent contact with pets, but gardeners also get this infection.
Cattle, horses and other animals can also be infected with tinea manuum, posing an infection risk for hunters and ranchers. Sweaty clothing should be removed after working around farm animals or after hunting trips because these types of fungi thrive in moist areas. Anyone with an open wound is more susceptible to fungal spores, as they can more easily enter the skin through a wound.
A more common form of tinea manuum comes from fungi that are spread by person-to-person contact or by touching infected objects. The blisters usually form on the palms of the hands and commonly burn and itch. They can appear in clusters and peel or ooze fluid. These sores can also bleed if the skin becomes dry or cracked.
Tinea manuum is regularly treated with antifungal creams or ointments. It usually takes about a month for the rash to heal completely and the person is no longer contagious. For severe rashes that penetrate deep into the skin, oral medications are sometimes prescribed. If the rash becomes infected, antibiotics can be used along with antifungal creams.
Infection can be prevented by drying the skin thoroughly after bathing or showering. Talcum powders can also help keep skin dry in humid climates. To prevent the spread of the fungi, infected clothes, towels, gardening tools, and other items should not be shared. Surfaces touched by an infected person should be kept clean, and frequent hand washing could help stop the spread of the disease.
A vet can prescribe medications to treat pets to prevent ringworm from spreading to their owners. Dogs usually show signs of crusted sores accompanied by hair loss. Sometimes, cats can carry the fungus without showing any symptoms of infection. Grooming tools and bedding used by pets should be disinfected as part of treatment for ringworm.
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