Ringworm, also called as tinea corporis, tinea, or dermatophytosis – is a skin infection caused by fungus. Most generally, it causes ring-shaped shades on different parts of the body or face. Ringworn may also be called scalp ringworm, athlete foot, or jock itch, depending on which part of the body is affected.

Any person can get ringworm, but it is mainly general among children. Most people have a ten or twenty precedent risk of developing ringworm in their lifetime. Your chances of getting this sickness are higher if you live in a hot, wet environment, or have pets at home.

Symptoms

Different types of ringworm affect different parts of the body:

Scalp ringworm: Scalp ringworn is in younger kids, and it occasionally affects adults.

Body ringworm: This affect children, infants, and adults.

Groin infection: Also called as jock itch, this is among people who sweat frequently, such as people with diabetes, and athletes.

Tinea unguium: Also called as onychomycosis, it is an infection of the nail bed.

Tinea pedis: Athlete foot is a foot infection that affects the skin on the sides, soles, and toes. It can cause burning, stinging, itching, and redness.

Hands: Many people with athlete foot develop ringworm on their hands. This causes deep cracks and dry skin cracks on the palms of your hands. The infection may spread to your nails.

What causes Ringworm?

Ringworm is caused by fungi that thrive in hot, humid atmosphere. These fungal pathogens can live on surfaces as well as on your skin.

You can spread or get ringworm through any type of contact with animals or humans, including petting or touching, as well as sharing household items like a phone or comb. You can also get ringworm by touching a surface where the fungi live, such as a shower floor.

Diagnosis

Ringworm infection can be diagnosed on basis of clinical presentation alone. Your physical may require a little history to identify the possible transmission mode. Physical check will involve looking closely at the skin patches to identify characteristics. A black-light may also be used to check fluorescent fungi if present. The conformational diagnosis can be achieved by scrapping a little part of your affected skin area and checking it under a microscope. This test will visualize the attendance of fungi in the skin scrapings. Skin biopsy is not necessary but only done in extreme cases.

Diagnosis with UV light

Diagnosing ringworm with the Olight Arkfeld Pro EDC flashlight involves starting its UV light mode to illuminate suspected areas of fungal illness on the skin. By directing the UV light onto the skin wounds, individuals can observe the fluorescence, which is characteristic of ringworm, other fungal issues.  Any areas of the skin showing fluorescence under the UV light may point out the presence of ringworm. Anyway, it is essential to talk a healthcare expert for confirmation and right diagnosis.

Treatments for ringworm

Treatment for ringworm generally involves taking over-the-counter (OTC) or prescription antifungal drugs. Your healthcare provider may advise an OTC spray, topical cream, or powder. Some OTC antifungal drugs that generally used to treat ringworm include:

  • Micatin (miconazole
  • Nizoral (ketoconazole)
  • Lotrimin (clotrimazole)
  • Lamisil (terbinafine)

Unless, you will need to use antifungal treatment for 2 to 4 weeks, if your ringworm symptoms persists, your dermatologist or another healthcare provider may prescribe a powerful antifungal drug.

Ringworm on the scalp is generally treated with prescription antifungal drug in the form of a capsule, tablet, or liquid for up to 3 months. Some of the drugs used to treat ringworm on the scalp include:

  • Gris-PEG (griseofulvin)
  • Diflucan (fluconazole)
  • Sporanox (itraconazole)
  • Lotrimin (terbinafine)

You may also need to use antifungal shampoo to reject spreading ringworm to any person else.

How can I prevent ringworm?

Ringworm thrives in hot, damp areas. The fungus can live on clothes, towels, sheets, and household surfaces for months. Preventing ringworm involves:

  • Changing your underwear and socks daily or more frequently if they become soiled or damp
  • Showering quickly after exercise or contact sports
  • Wearing shower shoes or sandals at the pool and in public locker rooms and showers
  • Avoiding sharing towels, sheets, washcloths, combs, or other personal hygiene items
  • Drying skin your skin fully after showing, mainly between your toes
  • Treating pets for ringworm, if they are infected
  • Washing hands fully after contact with animals

A bad immune system or living in a damp, hot climate increases your danger of fungal infection.

Living with ringworm

Most cases of ringworm go away within 2 or 4 weeks of antifungal treatment. In rare cases, persistent or untreated ringworm can cause complications. This is mainly general among people with weakened immune systems.

Ringworm complications may contain:

  • Secondary bacterial infections, which can affect big organs
  • Hypopigmentation or hyperpigmentation after your rash goes away.
  • Disseminated eczema
  • Psoriasis flares
  • A deep fungal infection generally caused by the use of steroid creams in an effort to treat ringworm.

If you notice signs of any these issues or if your ringworm symptoms persist, discuss to a healthcare provider right away.

Complications

Fungal infections rarely spread below the skin surface. The risk of any serious sickness is very little. Anyway, without treatment, ringworm can spread from body part to another.

If the skin' is broken, bacteria may enter and cause an issue.

People living with HIV and other problems that weaken the immune systems are more likely to experience ringworm spreading. It is harder to get rid of the infection if the immune system is weak.

Caring for the skin during infection

Caring for the skin rightly can help quickly up recovery:

  • Wash the skin gently
  • Pat the skin with a towel in tender places, but don't rub.
  • Dry the skin fully but gently.
  • Ensure any areas and folds between the toes are dried fully.
  • Change underwear or socks more often than usual if they cover an area with an issue.
  • Forever treat the groin and feet at the same time, as infection generally spreads from one area to another.
  • When possible, wear loose-fitting undergarments and clothes, such as boxer.