Reasons, Indications And Treatment Of Ringworm
There was a belief a long time ago that ringworm was caused by a worm and hence the name
, but it is not caused by a worm. It is a fungus which causes infection of the skin. This fungus lives and spreads on the skin's top layer and also on the hair. It grows well in warm areas that are moist like in skin folds, locker rooms and in swimming pools.
Personal skin touching between one person and another or between animals and even between a person and an animal will very rapidly spread the fungus as it is extremely contagious. The sharing of personal clothes and sports items or any item that has had contact with the skin is a vehicle for spreading the condition.
It will cause a very itchy rash and will sometimes make a ring-shaped pattern. When this infection is in the hands it will make the skin thick, scaly and dry. The skin in between the fingers will be damp and will have open sores.
As a preventative measure do not share personal items like towels, your sports gear and equipment, your clothes and your bedding with anyone. Wash your clothes with hot water which has had an anti fungal soap added as soon as you think that you have been infected with the fungus. Wear foot covering like sandals or something like slippers whenever you are in a public shower room or in a locker room. Whenever you are involved in a contact sport, ensure that you wash your skin and hair thoroughly to avoid infection. Your body should be dried completely after taking a bath or shower and your feet should be dried last.
You should try to wear loose fitting cotton clothes. Change your underwear and your socks on a daily basis. If you suffer from athlete's foot, put your socks on before you put on your underwear to prevent the spread of fungi from your feet to your groin region. If your pet has areas of hair missing it could be a sign of a fungus infection and you should take care by taking him or her to a vet as soon as possible. You can get the fungus infection from animals however it is not very common.
To make an effective diagnosis, a medical practitioner will take scrapings from the rash area and will microscopically try to identify and recognize the fungus. Other tests like culture tests will also be done to confirm the diagnosis as well as to find a suitable treatment.
The rash or sores can often be home treated with creams and lotions that can be acquired from your pharmacist without the need of a prescription. Once treatment has started, the rash should disappear soon thereafter. Use the cream as directed to prevent the re-infection of your skin. Prescription medication is available if the lotions and creams do not work. If this condition is not treated at all, blisters will form and the cracks may become infected. Once this occurs, you will need to be given antibiotics.
If anyone in your family or close to you has an indication of ringworm, it is essential to find a treatment for them immediately to ensure that the other people in your circle do not contract the condition.
by: Becca G Taylor
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