The difference between dyshidrotic eczema of the hands and feet and tinea manuum/pedum
Disease description:
I recently felt severe itching in my feet, and my mom said it was athlete's foot. However, my hands have also become very itchy lately. After examination, I was diagnosed with dyshidrotic eczema (pompholyx). I would like to know the difference between dyshidrotic eczema and athlete's foot.
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Wang Xiaoyan
Hand and foot dyshidrotic eczema and tinea manuum/pedis differ in several aspects. In terms of etiology, hand and foot dyshidrotic eczema may be triggered by various factors such as emotional stress, environmental influences, local allergies, ultraviolet radiation, and dermatophyte infection; in contrast, hand and foot tinea is primarily caused by fungal infection. Regarding symptoms, dyshidrotic eczema presents as a vesicular skin disease characterized by small vesicles ranging from pinhead to millet seed size, accompanied by itching or a burning sensation; whereas tinea manuum/pedis manifests with symptoms including vesicles, scaling, skin thickening, and pruritus. In treatment approaches, dyshidrotic eczema is commonly managed with general measures, systemic therapy, and topical treatments; on the other hand, tinea manuum/pedis is mainly treated with topical and oral antifungal medications.
