Fungal diseases are a pathology caused by microscopic fungi, the main survival mechanism of which is parasitization on the skin of humans and animals.
Fungal diseases of the skin of the hands can conditionally be divided into three large varieties, depending on the level and depth of the lesion.
In the first group, we include a fungus on the fingers with superficial localization. The most common disease with such localization is pityriasis versicolor. As a rule, superficially localized fungi do not bring significant inconvenience to the patient, i.e. do not cause itching and burning of the skin, and also are not accompanied by a pronounced inflammatory reaction.
What can not be said about the second, more serious, group of fungal pathologies. They penetrate into deeper layers and cause a lot of unpleasant symptoms. These diseases are contagious and transmitted through direct and indirect contact from person to person.
Such mycoses include epidermophytosis and rubrophytia of the feet. Most often, these diseases are familial in nature and are transmitted when wearing common socks, slippers or when using common hygiene items.
Fungus on the fingers, which can spread to all parts of the human body, is classified as a third group of fungal diseases. These include microsporia, trichophytosis and scab.
Trichophytosis is a disease whose main localization is the scalp, nails and skin of the hands. This disease is caused by several types of mushrooms. One part of them affects only the superficial skin, the other penetrates deeper and spreads throughout the thickness of the dermis.
Superficial trichophytosis begins with a red spot at the site of penetration of the fungus into the skin. Then the speck grows and peels off. If the scalp is affected (and this happens more often in children), then the hair begins to break quickly, and soon only “stumps” remain on the head.
If the process affects the nail plate and the skin of the fingers, then small flakes and cracks appear on their surface. Nails become earthy in color, quickly break, and the tissues around become inflamed. In this case, patients feel constant discomfort, a burning sensation and itching in the area of the nail and phalanx of the fingers.
If the disease is not treated for a long time, then the skin of the fingers thickens, becomes rough, and the secondary flora gets into small cracks, which leads to an aggravation of the process.
Fungus on the fingers is very rarely a consequence of microsporia. As a rule, it can only become its complication or the spread of the process from the nails. Clinically, this disease manifests itself in small areas of inflammation that quickly begin to peel off.
Scab or favus can also cause fungus on the fingers. This disease is very dangerous, because tends to spread rapidly. Infection occurs from sick people by direct contact through things and objects. Most often, several family members are infected at once, so it is necessary to examine all people in contact with the patient (if possible).
The most unpleasant for the patient can be called a fungus between the fingers, because in this place the skin is very delicate and thin. Therefore, any trauma brings a lot of inconvenience to the patient. And external treatment methods with such localization of the fungus are very difficult to apply. Accordingly, the healing process lasts longer, and patients become restless and irritable.
As for mushrooms, these microorganisms are present on the hands of any person. However, while the body's defenses are able to suppress their activity, fungi are not dangerous to humans and do not cause diseases. When the body weakens, fungal microorganisms become pathogenic, grow and multiply rapidly, thereby creating a characteristic clinical picture.