Ringworm: Ringworm is a common fungal infection on the skin that may cause a red or silvery ring-like rash. It is also known as “tinea” or “Dermatophytosis”.Ringworm is more commonly affects the skin of the scalp, feet, groin, beard, or other areas of the body. Despite its name, ringworm doesn’t have anything to do with worms. The infection isn’t caused by the worm. It’s caused by fungus. Ringworm is contagious and easily spread.
Types of Ringworm
There are different types of tinea fungal infection, based on the affected part of the body:
- Tinea capitis – affecting the scalp
- Fungal nail infection (onychomycosis) – affecting the nails
- Ringworm (tinea corporis) – affecting the body
- Jock itch (tinea cruris) – affecting the groin
- Athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) – affecting the feet
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Causes of Ringworm
Three different types of fungi can cause this infection. Fungal spores are passed through direct skin contact and by sharing objects such as towels, bedding, and hairbrushes. Athlete’s foot is also commonly spread in the gym and swimming pool changing rooms.
Pets, such as cats and dogs, can have ringworm, and you may catch it by stroking them.
Symptom of Ringworm
Symptoms depend on where you’re infected. You may experience the following:
• red, scaly, itchy, or raised patches
• patches with edges that are defined and raised
• patches that develop blisters
• patches that may redder on the outside edges
In the case of dermatophytosis in nails, they become thicker, discolored, or begin to crack. If the scalp is affected, bald patches can develop.
Diagnosis of Ringworm
Your physicians can usually diagnose ringworm by looking at the affected skin and asking some questions about symptoms. Your physicians may also take a small skin scraping to examined under a microscope or sent to a laboratory for fungal culture.
Ringworm Treatment
The treatment of ringworm depends on its location on the body and how serious the infection is.
Ringworm on the skin and jock itch can be treated with non-prescription antifungal creams, lotions, or powders applied to the skin including:
- Clotrimazole (Lotrimin, Mycelex)
- Miconazole ( Azolen, Carrington Antifungal, Critic-Aid Clear, DermaFungal, Fungoid Tincture, Micaderm, Micro-Guard, Secura Antifungal)
- Ketoconazole (Xolegel)
- Terbinafine (Lamisil)
This non-prescription antifungal applied to the skin for 2 to 4 weeks.
Ringworm on the scalp usually needs to be treated with prescription antifungal that includes:
- Terbinafine
- Griseofulvin (Grifulvin)
- Fluconazole (Diflucan)
- Itraconazole (Onmel)
This prescription antifungal medication may be taken by mouth for 1 to 3 months.
