Itching between the fingers: Be alert to four possible conditions

　　There is generally no saying such as "be alert to four diseases if the space between fingers itches." Itching between the fingers may be caused by dry skin, localized hyperhidrosis, tinea manuum, dyshidrotic eczema, scabies, and other reasons, and different treatments are required accordingly.

　　1. Dry skin: In dry climatic conditions, low humidity causes skin surface moisture to evaporate easily, possibly damaging the skin barrier function, thus causing itching between the fingers. It is recommended to use hand creams containing moisturizing ingredients such as glycerin and urea to keep the skin hydrated.

　　2. Localized hyperhidrosis: When there is excessive sweating between the fingers, sweat accumulates in the skin folds, and components in the sweat such as salt and lactic acid can irritate the skin, leading to itching. It is recommended to keep the hands clean and dry, and promptly wipe off sweat between the fingers with sweat-absorbing handkerchiefs or tissues.

　　3. Tinea manuum: Mainly caused by dermatophyte infection, such as Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes, etc. After dermatophyte infection, the stratum corneum of the skin is invaded, triggering an inflammatory response, causing symptoms such as itching, peeling, and blisters between the fingers. It is recommended to follow medical advice to use antifungal medications such as clotrimazole cream or terbinafine cream.

　　4. Dyshidrotic eczema: Patients with this condition have overactive sweat glands in the hands, leading to excessive sweating, which keeps the skin between the fingers moist, causing allergic reactions manifested as itching and blisters between the fingers. It is recommended to use medications such as dexamethasone cream or calamine lotion under a doctor's guidance to relieve itching.

　　5. Scabies: Scabies is a contagious skin disease caused by Sarcoptes scabiei mites burrowing into the epidermal layer of human skin. The secretions and excretions of the mites irritate the skin, causing intense itching, especially with worsening symptoms at night. Once diagnosed with scabies, immediate isolation and treatment are necessary. Patients need to apply topical scabicide medications over the entire body, such as sulfur borax cream or lindane cream.

　　If the symptom of itching between the fingers persists without relief or is accompanied by other discomfort symptoms, timely medical consultation is necessary for detailed examination and diagnosis to implement accurate and effective treatment measures.