Support for the joints is especially important during sports, and some recommend that contact sports should be avoided by those who have very loose joints. References


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One large study revealed around 84% of tinea manuum was associated with athletes foot, of which 80% admitted scratching their feet, and 60% were male,

Signs and symptoms
There is usually an itch, with generalised dry flaky thick skin of the palm of a hand. Frequently, one hand is affected, but it can be in both. If the back of the hand is affected, it may appear as reddish circles like in ringworm. Sometimes there are no symptoms. The feet may be affected as in two feet-one hand syndrome. Cause and mechanism
The most common cause is Trichophyton rubrum. Other causes include Trichophyton verrucosum (from cattle), Microsporum canis (from a cat or dog),  Trichophyton erinacei (from a hedgehog), Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Epidermophyton floccosum, Trichophyton interdigitale, and more rarely Microsporum gypseum, Trichophyton eriotrephon, and Arhroderma benhamiae.Tinea manuum can result from touching another area of the body with a fungal infection such as athletes foot or tinea cruris, contact with an infected person or animal, or from contact with soil or contaminated towels. Risk factors
Diabetes, high blood pressure, weak immune system, humid surroundings, excessive sweating, recurrent hand trauma and cracks in feet are risk factors for tinea manuum. Pet owners and farmworkers are also at higher risk. Diagnosis
Diagnosis is by visualization, direct microscopy and culture. Differential diagnosis
Psoriasis of the palms, pompholyx and contact dermatitis may appear similar. Treatment
Treatment is usually with long-term topical antifungal medications. If not resolving, terbinafine or itraconazole  by mouth might be options. Other options include  clotrimazole, fluconazole and ketoconazole.