How to distinguish between tinea manuum (hand fungus) and hand eczema

Tinea manuum (hand fungus) and hand eczema show clear differences in several aspects, mainly including: 1. Symptoms: The blisters in tinea manuum are located deeper in the skin, have thicker walls, are less likely to rupture, and exhibit minimal exudation; by contrast, the blisters of hand eczema are superficial, with thin walls, and tend to rupture and exude easily. Tinea manuum may be accompanied by itching of varying intensity, while hand eczema commonly causes significant itching, redness, swelling, and papules. 2. Lesion morphology and distribution: Lesions of tinea manuum typically appear unilaterally and may expand outward in a ring-like pattern, commonly affecting the palms and the spaces between fingers. Lesions of hand eczema are often symmetrically distributed on both sides, frequently involving the dorsal surfaces of fingers, the fingertip pads, as well as the back of the hands and wrists. 3. Etiology: Tinea manuum is caused by infection with dermatophyte fungi, while hand eczema is usually associated with allergic reactions.