Many people have confusion regarding ringworm disease,and they have many questions in mind regarding this such as,
Is ringworm caused by some worm?
Is the infection caused by the bite of some round shape insect?
and so on….
The answer to all such questions is “NO”.
The fact is that ringworm has nothing to do with worms and its a fungus called as dermatophyte that eats keratin protein found in skin,hair and nails.
It is called ringworm because the itchy, red rash has a ring-like appearance.
This article will cover everything from transmission to treatment.
Transmission:
it can be transmitted by
- human to human
- animal to human
- object to human
Symptoms:
Different types of ringworm affect different parts of the body.
Scalp ringworm (tinea capitis): This is most common in younger children, and occasionally it affects adults. It is more common in urban environments where people live closer together, giving the fungus more opportunities to spread.
Body (skin) ringworm (tinea corporis): This can affect infants, children, and adults.
Groin infections (tinea cruris): Also known as jock itch, this is more common among young men.
Tinea pedis: Athlete’s foot is a common foot infection.
Tinea unguium: Also known as onychomycosis, it is an infection of the nail bed.
Ringworm in the beard area: This affects males who can grow facial hair, and it often results from contact with an animal that has ringworm.of ringworm.
Treatment:
The most common treatments for scalp ringworm are oral antifungals (tablets). However, the choice of medication will depend on the type of fungi involved.
Management and care:
Care for the skin properly can help speed recovery.
- Wash the skin gently
- Dry the skin thoroughly but gently.
- Pat the skin with a towel in tender areas, but do not rub.
- Make sure any folds and areas between the toes are dried thoroughly.
- Change sock or underwear more often than usual if they cover an infected area.
- Always treat the feet and groin at the same time, as infection often spreads from one area to another.
- Where possible, wear loose-fitting clothing and undergarments, such as boxers.
