Ringworms aren’t caused by crawlies

This skin infection ringworm has nothing to do with wriggling crawlies as the name suggests. Rather it is a superficial infection caused by fungi that leaves an itchy, red, and scaly bump. Ringworms could strike anywhere – skin, nails or the scalp and at more than one places.

The infection has got its name because of its appearance. It starts with a tiny sore becomes patchy, scaly and eventually turns swollen, tender and red. It is also known by other names like athlete’s foot, jock itch and tinea. It was also known as the barber’s itch in the days when visiting a barber was common. WTN brings you some facts on it.

Types of ringworms

· Tinea barbae: This occurs in the bearded area

· Tinea capitis: This is commonly seen among children’s scalp which causes bald spots

· Tinea corporis: It appears on the body with scaling, blister-like lesions etc

· Tinea faciei (faciale): It involves facial parts where there is no beard

· Tinea manus: It is found on the palms and in-between the fingers causing thickening of skin

· Tinea pedis: It causes thickening or scaling of heels and soles.

Causes

Ringworm occurs in people of all ages, but it is particularly common in children.  It is difficult to identify the source of infection.  It may spread from person to person (anthropophilic); animal to person (zoophilic), or from soil to a person (geophilic). The fungi thrive in warm and moist conditions and on the dead layer of keratin protein. It often occur in skin folds, groin area and in-between the toes and spreads very easily.  However, it cannot live on mucous membranes like mouth or vagina

Symptoms

· Infected skin that tends to spread outwards

· Rounded, red, inflamed patch of skin

· Outer edge is scaly while centre is pale

· Mostly mildly irritating rash

Treatment

There are no home remedies to treat ringworms. Only antifungal medications help, but topical applications like over-the-counter creams and lotions do help.  Though the complications are extremely in such circumstances, it is always better to consult a medical practitioner for it spreads easily and can be quite troublesome.

The medication takes at least two weeks to cure the patch.

Dos & don’ts

· Ensure the affected are is clean and dry

· Always wear slippers

· Maintain personal hygiene and use your own things like comb, towels, sheets

· Do not scratch the rash- it could spread

-windowtonews