• Tinea manuum is the fungal infection of hands. The word tinnea means ringworm and mannum is for hands, so basically tinea manuum is the ringworm of hands. When this kind of infection occurs on feet then this is known as tinea pedis.
• In Tinea manuum (ringworm of the hands) red and scaly rash occur which have a raised border. These rashes begin as a pruritic, circular or oval, erythematous patch or plaque with some scaling.
• Body parts that can get affected  with tinea or ringworm. Those parts include: hands, feet, groin, scalp, beard ,toe nails and finger nails
• This is a contagious condition. This rash spreads outwards and having a flat center appearance and healthy skin is surrounded by raised border. This further results in the occurrence of ring-shaped rashes sometimes which can combine. Pus-filled bumps may also be noticed sometimes. 

Causes Of tinea manuum

Tinea manuum is caused by a dermatophyte infection that is one kind of fungi. Infection is usually spread through direct contact with the causative organism.

Any individual can be affected by this common condition. There is a greater prevalence in the following individuals:

• Past dermatophyte infections
• Those that use public showers
• Those who sweat excessively
• Those that frequently engage in gardening and yard work
• Those who handle or are around animals frequently
• Those who play sports in which there is close contact with skin

There are number of causes for tinea. 

• As tinea is contagious condition , so one can easily get it by making contact with the skin of someone with the fungus. 
• This infection can spread from some animals, including dogs, cats, cows, and hedgehogs. 
• One can even get tinea from contaminated soil. 
• Wearing tight cloths or shoes, especially on sweating, can make you more prone to tinea.

Symptoms

Symptoms of tinea manuum that are commonly noticed in patients include

• The infection normally start small and gradually become larger over time.
• The infection starts from the palm of the hand and may spread to fingers and the back of hand.
• The area affected with this infection have itchy, red, and scaly appearance.
• The infected area may also peel and flake.
• Tinea manuum usually occur on one hand and both feet. Depending on the type of fungus that is causing the tinea, there may also blister formation that contain a clear liquid.

How is it diagnosed?

This condition is diagnosed by using several different methods. 

• Mainly involved taking history of patient and doing examination.
• Examination of scales from the infected area under a microscope is done to diagnose tinea. 
• This condition is also examined by taking a culture of a sample of the infected skin. 

Treatment of   tinea manuum

• Tinea mannum is treated by using a number of OTC topical medications. These medications include miconazole (Lotrimin), terbinafine (Lamisil), and others. 
• When this infection is not get treated by topical medications and in severe cases oral medications are also prescribed.
• This condition generally gets resolved after 3-4 weeks of treatment. But in people with a weakened immune system or medical conditions such as diabetes, tinea manuum will take longer to resolve.

Other treatment Options

• Use of Topical keratolytics such as salicylic acid combined with antifungal treatment in those with hyperkeratotic tinea manuum
• Burow’s wet dressings (1% aluminum acetate or 5% aluminum subacetate) may be applied for 20 minutes 2-3 times a day.

Differential diagnose of Tinea manuum

Hand dermatitis: This condition affects both hands and is more  itchier than Tinea Manuum.

Psoriasis: In this there is occurrence of red patches on skin. These patches are silvery and but do not have an annular (ring-like) appearance.

Exfoliative Keratolysis: This condition mainly affects the palms of your hands and produces blisters that peel.

Preventative measures

As this condition can easily spread so it is very important to follow some recommendations to avoid any kind of infection or to limit the spread:

• Do not share your cloths, sports equipment, or towels with others.
• Avoid taking showers at public places like gym, local pool, or other public areas.
• Keep your body clean. Use soap and shampoo after any sport involving skin-to-skin contact.
• Always dry yourself completely after bathing. Keep skin clean and dry. 
• Avoid contact with animals. Take your pet to the vet if you notices any patches of missing hair or a rash. That may be a sign of a tinea infection.
• Consult with doctor if anyone in your family has fungal infection.

AYURVEDIC TREATMENT OF TINEA MANNUM

Chandigarh Ayurved centre provides effective Ayurvedic treatment of this skin condition. CAC provides a kit named ‘Fungal care kit’. This kit contains medications that are very effective to treat any kind of fungal infection.

Description of medicines

1. Detox Premium Powder:

Detox premium powder is a very effective ayurvedic medicine to cure blemishes as it purifies the whole body by removing excess toxins from the body. The powder is composed of shukta pishti, giloy satv, gandhak rasayan, moti pishti, akik pishti, shankh bhasma, etc. The ingredient reduces all the signs and symptoms associated with the blemishes.

2. Twak Churana:

This herbal powder is prepared from two herbs Manjistha (Rubia cordifolia) & Chopchini (Smilax malabarica) that in combination reduces uneven pigmentation. Manjishtha mainly helps in deep detoxification and blood purification. It can also be used for hand lotion to treat dry, cracked hands, or feet. This herbal powder is good for dry skin, rashes, acne. This powder is used in infectious conditions like, eczema, pimples, and chronic skin disorders.

3. Twak Tailam:

Twak tailam is very effective for the skin as it deeply nourishes the tissues and improves the skin luster. The tailam is composed of yashtimadhu (Glycyrrhiza glabra), manjistha (Rubia cordifolia), etc. The tailam supports skin health, helps in reducing uneven pigments, improves complexion, and helps in deep detoxification and blood purification without any side effects.

4. Skin care tablet:

Skin care tablet is a pure ayurvedic formulation. It help to maintain the texture of your skin depending on the type of skin you have. Skin care is a blood purifying tablet. It cools and detoxifies the blood, increase blood circulation of the skin. 

5. Itch Care Tablet:

Itching is related to various skin problems like dermatitis, fungal infection or irritates such as nickel in jewelry, infected cut. Chronic skin condition like psoriasis, acne and due to internal conditions like blood, lungs and liver. 

6. Handmade Neem Soap:

Neem leaves are rich in Vitamin-E, Fatty acids & emollients. It is such a wonderful herb that is easily available and shows Anti-bacterial, Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Anti-microbial, Antifungal, Antiseptic properties. Neem cleanses the pores and protects the skin from various infections, Psoriasis, Eczema etc.

• A skin ulcer is an open sore or wound. Any kind of Injury, blood circulation disorders, and prolonged pressure can cause skin ulcers.
• Skin ulcers can affect any area of the body. Most commonly seen on the legs, feet, mouth, back and hips.
• A small, uninfected wound do not cause much problems and heals with home remedies.
• On the other side, medical treatment is required for deep or infected wounds. If treatment is delayed then it can cause potentially fatal complications, especially if the infection has spread to the bloodstream.

Is it contagious?

Skin ulcers and secondary bacterial infections are not contagious. However, bacteria that cause secondary infections, such as bone infections may sometimes spread from one person to another.

Symptoms of skin ulcers

The symptoms of skin ulcers vary widely depending on the type and severity of the wound. Symptoms that are commonly noticed in people include:

• Skin discoloration
• Itchy skin
• Crusty dark brown covering on the wound
• Swelling around the wound
• Flakes around the wound
• Pain or tenderness in the nearby areas
• Watery, bloody, or pus-filled wound drainage
• A foul-smell from wound
• Fever may be present

If a patient presents with foul smelling wound, having pain, high fever, and wound drainage that will indicate an infection. If the wound lasts for more than 3 weeks is almost always infected.

Skin ulcers types

There are mainly four types of skin ulcers. Each one has different causative factor and different symptoms. Skin ulcer types include:

Decubitus (pressure) ulcers

• Decubitus ulcers are caused due to continuous pressure or friction on the skin parts.  They’re also known as pressure ulcers and pressure sores.
• These ulcers are usually seen on bony areas, because the bones place extra pressure on the skin.
• Common areas that include pressure ulcers are back, hips, buttocks, ankles, heels.

Venous skin ulcers

• Venous skin ulcers are caused due to poor or low blood circulation in the leg veins. They usually found on the legs between the knee and ankle.
• About 80 to 90 percent of all leg ulcers are venous leg ulcers.

Arterial skin ulcers

• Arterial ulcers occur when poor blood flow is caused by blocked arteries. 
• These are commonly found on the lower leg, heels, toes, and feet. These ulcers are usually painful.

Neuropathic skin ulcers

• Neuropathic ulcers are caused when there is nerve damage and narrow arteries. They’re also called diabetic foot ulcers.
• There is no pain in these ulcers because of nerve damage.

Risk Factors Include

Certain factors that can increase the risk of getting a skin ulcer. These are :

• Age. With increased age blood vessels become narrow and due to this blood accumulation occurs in the legs. These factors can increase the risk of skin ulcers.
• Limited movement. Many kind of medical conditions like Joint problems, paralysis, leg injuries and being bedridden cause pressure on the skin that leads to skin ulcers.
• Obesity. Obesity is also one of the factors that can cause skin ulcers as extra weight   increases pressure on the leg veins. Besides, the excess weight can problems with blood flow.
• Smoking. Tobacco smoking hardens blood vessels and causes poor blood flow.
• High blood pressure. High blood pressure gradually damages the blood vessels. This causes problems with blood flow.
• High levels of fat in the bloodstream. Having high levels of fat in the bloodstream cause narrowing of the blood vessels that leads to obstruction in blood vessels.
• Blood clotting disorders. Blood clots that form when the blood is flowing through the body disrupt proper blood flow.

Diagnosis of skin ulcers

Diagnosis is important to treat the condition properly. Several investigations are helpful to diagnose your sore. These may include:

• Medical history. History will help to better understand your symptoms.
• Physical examination. By examining the size and depth of sore and look for blood, fluid, or pus type of sore can be determined.
• Blood test. Blood investigations are helpful to know about the underlying problems.
• Tissue or fluid culture. This is important to know about the type of bacteria is causing your infection.
• Imaging techniques. An X-ray, CT scan, or MRI helps your doctor look at the tissue and bone under the sore.

Treatment options

The primary goal of any skin ulcer treatment is to heal the wound. In any case, treatments aim to reduce pain and swelling, prevent complications, and relieve psychological issues.

• Cleaning and dressing 

Cleansing includes the removal of dead tissue from the wound that is the first step to healing. Then dressing is done, which protects the wound. Some dressings may contain antimicrobial agents that help prevent infection.

• Antibiotics 

Topical antibiotics are used as the primary treatment for skin ulcers. They are applied in the form of gels, ointments and creams. 

Oral antibiotics – If there is not any improvement with topical antibiotics or in severe cases oral antibiotics are provided. 

• Pain  medications

Pain medications are needed in case of severe pain.

• Surgery

When other treatments fail or not any kind of improvement is seen then surgery is prescribed by doctor. In patients with leg ulcer due to defective veins, surgery may be done to remove the veins from the legs.

Some home remedies that can be used for treating miner skin ulcers.

• These include wash the wound with saline solution, use of compression socks.
• Leg elevation is helpful to help blood flow out of your leg.
• Application of turmeric paste or honey to the wound.
• Lifestyle changes that may speed up recovery include quitting smoking, eating a balanced diet, and staying active.

Ayurvedic treatment for Skin Ulcers

In Modern science, use of medicinal as well as surgical treatment may not give permanent treatment but in Ayurveda you can get the permanent cure from these kinds of conditions. So you should start treatment with Ayurveda natural herbs that will deal with the root cause of disease. Chandigarh Ayurved Centre provides Combination of medications for the natural and safe treatment of skin ulcers are

Medicines used are 

• Detox premium powder
• Curcumin capsule 
• Trikatu syrup
• Skin care tablet
• Nerve up tablet
• Twak tail

For more details you can visit our website 

www.chandigarhayurvedcentre.com