What causes tinea manuum and tinea pedis?
Disease description:
My younger brother is 12 years old this year. Recently, his feet have been extremely itchy and slightly painful. We initially thought it was athlete’s foot, but he was ultimately diagnosed with tinea manuum and tinea pedis (hand and foot dermatophytosis). We would like to know what causes hand and foot dermatophytosis.
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Wan
Tinea manuum (hand dermatophytosis) refers to a fungal infection caused by dermatophytes, commonly affecting the fingertips, palms, and the smooth skin on the palmar aspect. Tinea pedis (foot dermatophytosis) primarily involves the interdigital spaces, heels, and lateral margins of the feet. This condition is mainly caused by dermatophyte species including *Trichophyton rubrum*, *Trichophyton mentagrophytes*, *Microsporum gypseum*, and *Epidermophyton floccosum*; among these, *T. rubrum* accounts for 50% to 90% of cases. Primary modes of transmission include direct contact—such as scratching infected tinea pedis lesions with the hands—and sharing personal items like socks, gloves, towels, or foot basins with infected individuals. Incidence peaks during summer and autumn, with symptoms typically more severe in winter and milder in summer; the disease predominantly affects adults.
