[Differential diagnosis of tinea manus and tinea pedis]

Dermatophytoses of hands and feet may appear under a variety of different clinical pictures which can easily be mistaken for other skin diseases. The degree of acute or chronic inflammation and of a disturbed keratinization determines if vesicle or pustule formation, scaling, hyperkeratosis or maceration are predominant features of a tinea manus or tinea pedis. Several examples of similar clinical manifestations e.g. eczema, psoriasis, lichen planus, are given. It is stressed that direct microscopy and culture of the fungus are prerequisites of a correct mycological diagnosis.