Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisRisk FactorsTreatmentPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Risk Factors
Treatment
Prevention
Athlete’s foot on the hands is a fungal infection calledtinea manuum. When the same type of fungus affects the feet, it is calledathlete’s foot, ortinea pedis.
The infection usually starts on the feet. When athlete’s foot is not properly treated, it can spread to other areas, including the hands, groin, or other body parts.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See PhotoReproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.See Photo
This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing.
Reproduced with permission from © DermNetdermnetnz.org2023.
The infection can occur on one or both hands but usually only develops on one hand.
When the rash is on the back of the hand, the rash usually appears as scaly red, itchy circles. When the rash is on the palm, it appears as dry, scaly skin.
Tinea Manuum on Dark SkinThe red rash related to athlete’s foot and tinea manuum may be less noticeable on brown or black skin, so you may need to pay closer attention to other symptoms such as flaking and itchiness.
Tinea Manuum on Dark Skin
The red rash related to athlete’s foot and tinea manuum may be less noticeable on brown or black skin, so you may need to pay closer attention to other symptoms such as flaking and itchiness.
Tinea manuum symptoms start four to 14 days after contact with the infectious fungi.
Tinea manuum is passed from person to person through direct contact or from contact with an item that is carrying the fungi like clothing.
These fungi thrive in warm, wet areas. Therefore, they are more abundant in showers, pool surfaces, locker rooms, and damp clothing.
Since the fungus that causes tinea manuum can also cause an infection on other parts of the body, it is not uncommon for someone to first developathlete’s footand then get tinea manuum. Since people tend to scratch their itchy athlete’s foot rash, they can transfer the fungus to their hands.
Ways tinea manuum is diagnosed include:
How Ringworm Is Diagnosed
Therisk factorsfor athlete’s foot on the hands include:
The main complications of tinea manuum are developing asecondary bacterial infectionand spreading the fungal infection to other areas of the body.
How to Get Rid of Tinea Manuum
Athlete’s foot on the hands is not likely to go away on its own. The first step in treating tinea manuum is keeping the skin clean and dry. The fungi thrive in warm, wet conditions, so keeping the hands dry is very important.
Several OTC antifungal creams can treat tinea manuum. You can use athlete’s foot cream on your hands. Specifically, look for creams that contain one of the following medications:
A healthcare provider canprescribestronger antifungal creams and if necessary an oral medication.
Should I Use Alcohol or Hydrogen Peroxide for Fungal Infections?Alcohol and hydrogen peroxide are disinfectants that can kill a fungus on the surface of your skin. If you’re at risk for athlete’s foot, consider soaking your feet in a solution of three parts water mixed with either seven parts rubbing alcohol or seven parts hydrogen peroxide (3%).However, do not apply alcohol and hydrogen peroxide to rashes, open wounds, or cracked skin. This will dry out the skin and may make it harder for the skin to heal.
Should I Use Alcohol or Hydrogen Peroxide for Fungal Infections?
Alcohol and hydrogen peroxide are disinfectants that can kill a fungus on the surface of your skin. If you’re at risk for athlete’s foot, consider soaking your feet in a solution of three parts water mixed with either seven parts rubbing alcohol or seven parts hydrogen peroxide (3%).However, do not apply alcohol and hydrogen peroxide to rashes, open wounds, or cracked skin. This will dry out the skin and may make it harder for the skin to heal.
Alcohol and hydrogen peroxide are disinfectants that can kill a fungus on the surface of your skin. If you’re at risk for athlete’s foot, consider soaking your feet in a solution of three parts water mixed with either seven parts rubbing alcohol or seven parts hydrogen peroxide (3%).
However, do not apply alcohol and hydrogen peroxide to rashes, open wounds, or cracked skin. This will dry out the skin and may make it harder for the skin to heal.
Since tinea manuum is a contagious fungal infection, it is easy to catch and spread to other people. While it may not be possible to completely avoid an infection, these prevention techniques can help you avoid it:
Pets also can have ringworm. Take them to a veterinarian if ringworm is suspected. Make sure to wash your hands and dry them after touching a pet.
When someone spreads athlete’s foot to their hand, it’s also referred to as two-feet one-hand syndrome. This is because the athlete’s foot is generally on both feet but then only spreads to one hand.
Summary
Because athlete’s foot is a very contagious fungal infection it can spread to one or both hands, called tinea manuum. The rash can be mistaken for dry skin, psoriasis, eczema, or contact dermatitis. A healthcare provider can diagnose the rash based on its appearance using a dermatoscope or with a KOH test. You can get rid of tinea manuum with OTC creams or prescription medication.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Gupta AK, Daigle D, Paquet M, et al.Topical treatments for athlete’s foot.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;2018(1):CD010863. Published 2018 Jan 24. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD010863.pub2Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of ringworm infections.DermNet.Tinea manuum.NHS.Athlete’s foot.MedlinePlus.Ringworm of the body.Bhat YJ, Keen A, Hassan I, Latif I, Bashir S.Can Dermoscopy Serve as a Diagnostic Tool in Dermatophytosis? A Pilot Study.Indian Dermatol Online J. 2019;10(5):530-535. Published 2019 Aug 28. doi:10.4103/idoj.IDOJ_423_18Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Ringworm risk & prevention.National Capital Poison Center.Hydrogen peroxide.New Jersey Department of Health.Hazardous substance fact sheet.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Gupta AK, Daigle D, Paquet M, et al.Topical treatments for athlete’s foot.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;2018(1):CD010863. Published 2018 Jan 24. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD010863.pub2Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of ringworm infections.DermNet.Tinea manuum.NHS.Athlete’s foot.MedlinePlus.Ringworm of the body.Bhat YJ, Keen A, Hassan I, Latif I, Bashir S.Can Dermoscopy Serve as a Diagnostic Tool in Dermatophytosis? A Pilot Study.Indian Dermatol Online J. 2019;10(5):530-535. Published 2019 Aug 28. doi:10.4103/idoj.IDOJ_423_18Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Ringworm risk & prevention.National Capital Poison Center.Hydrogen peroxide.New Jersey Department of Health.Hazardous substance fact sheet.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Gupta AK, Daigle D, Paquet M, et al.Topical treatments for athlete’s foot.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;2018(1):CD010863. Published 2018 Jan 24. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD010863.pub2Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of ringworm infections.DermNet.Tinea manuum.NHS.Athlete’s foot.MedlinePlus.Ringworm of the body.Bhat YJ, Keen A, Hassan I, Latif I, Bashir S.Can Dermoscopy Serve as a Diagnostic Tool in Dermatophytosis? A Pilot Study.Indian Dermatol Online J. 2019;10(5):530-535. Published 2019 Aug 28. doi:10.4103/idoj.IDOJ_423_18Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Ringworm risk & prevention.National Capital Poison Center.Hydrogen peroxide.New Jersey Department of Health.Hazardous substance fact sheet.
Gupta AK, Daigle D, Paquet M, et al.Topical treatments for athlete’s foot.Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2018;2018(1):CD010863. Published 2018 Jan 24. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD010863.pub2
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Symptoms of ringworm infections.
DermNet.Tinea manuum.
NHS.Athlete’s foot.
MedlinePlus.Ringworm of the body.
Bhat YJ, Keen A, Hassan I, Latif I, Bashir S.Can Dermoscopy Serve as a Diagnostic Tool in Dermatophytosis? A Pilot Study.Indian Dermatol Online J. 2019;10(5):530-535. Published 2019 Aug 28. doi:10.4103/idoj.IDOJ_423_18
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Ringworm risk & prevention.
National Capital Poison Center.Hydrogen peroxide.
New Jersey Department of Health.Hazardous substance fact sheet.
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