Skip to main content

RINGWORMS:EVERYTHING ABOUT IT

 

Overview

Ringworm is a fungal infection that can happen to anyone.

You might be thinking if it's a fungal infection, why is it called ring"worm"? That's because of its shape. When a patch of skin is infected by ringworm, the patch of skin looks like a ring, with infection on the border and clear skin in between.

It is a red, itchy, circular patch on any part of the skin. It's given various names when infection is in various regions. 
 Body Part
  Scientific Name
Common Name
 Body tinea corporis Ringworm of body
 Groin tinea cruris Jock itch
 Scalp tinea capitis ringworm of the scalp
 Foot tinea pedis athlete's foot
 Nails tinea unguium ringworm of nails
 Beard tinea barbae Barbers's itch
 Face tinea faciei Ringworm of the face

WARNING: Sensitive images ahead.

Causes


Ringworm is also known as dermatophytosis or dermatophyte infection, commonly known as tinea. Three different types of fungi are responsible for ringworm. These are
1.Trichophton
2.Epidermophyton
3.Microsporum
The spores of these fungi reside in the soil and when come in contact with skin, they start to grow. The spores can live in soil for an extended period of time. The infection spreads from one person to another or from animals to humans as animals are also prone to ring worms.

It's major cause is its spread. The spores can spread in the following manner.

1.From One Person to Other
When a healthy person comes in contact with an infected person, the spores spread. The major cause is skin to skin contact with an infected person.

2.From Objects to a Person
When a healthy person uses daily objects like comb, towel or even pen of an infected person the infection spreads. The spores can be found on almost everything the infected person is using.

3.From Soil or Water to a Person
It is in rare cases when infection spreads like this. When an infected person goes into a swimming pool he spreads the spores through water. When a person walks barefoot in a public place like locker rooms of athletes, he is in danger of coming in contact with the spores.

4.From Animals to a Person
Animals like cats, dogs and cows get easily infected by ringworm. You might get infected while grooming the animals.
source

Symptoms Symptoms of ringworm are common. You will know it's a ringworm when you'll see one. Here is what a ringworm looks like.

The common symptoms of ringworm include red, scaly and itchy patches of skin. These patches have defined and raised edges. It varies from organ to organ.
source
1.Tinea capitis or ringworm of the scalp
It begins as the isolated scaling which turns into itchy, scaly bald patches.
source
2. Tinea cruris or Jock itch
In this the scaly lesions appear on the skin around the groin, inner thighs and buttocks. It might itch worse than the others.
source
3. Tinea pedis or Athlete's foot
It can be identified as scaly red patches in the foot area.
source
4. Tinea unguium or ringworm of nails
In this the nails become discolored or thick. They might even begin to crack.
source

5. tinea barbae or Barber's itch
Scaly red patches appear on the beard and chin region.
6. Tinea faciei or ringworm of face
Itchy red lesions appear on the afce. They can appear onthe cheeks or near eyes.
7. Tinea manuum or ringworm of hands In this scaly red patches appear on the skin of palms or between fingers. It is a commonly seen with athelete's foot.

 
source

Prevention

Almost 10 million get infected with ringworm infection every year. It can be prevented if you take the necessary precautionary measures. Here are some tips.

1.Keep your skin clean and dry. Try to wear loose fitting clothes in summers.

2. Do not use daily objects like clothes, comb, towels or sheets of the infected person.

3. Change your socks and underwear daily.

4. Keep your fingernails and toenails short.

5. Wash your hands with soap and water properly after playing with pets. If your pet has a ringworm infection take him to a vet for proper treatment.

6. If you are an athlete, do not walk barefoot in the public showers or locker room. Do take a shower after every practice to prevent ringworm infection. 

Treatment


If you get infected with a ringworm infection you should take proper medications. There are antifungal creams available in the market that help in treating ringworm. You should consult a doctor before settling on one according to the seriousness of your infection.
source
Along with that you can make changes in your lifestyle like washing your sheets and bedding daily, changing and washing clothes daily, wearing loose fitting clothes and taking proper medications for the infection. 

Remember one thing, not treating ringworm infection can lead to recurrence of ringworms all over your body. All they need to grow is skin and that's overwhelmingly present in our body.

Conclusion


Ringworm is a medical condition and can be life altering if not treated properly on time. They can spread everywhere on your body and trust me you won't want that. It should be treated on time. You should try to prevent it in the first place. I hope this was helpful and it increased your knowledge.

Stay Safe, Stay Healthy and fit and Stay tuned for more.

Please Share and Leave a comment if you liked it, it'll make our day.

Thank you for reading this.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

POSTURAL DEFORMITIES

  Overview Correct posture means the balancing of the body in an accurate and proper manner while sitting, reading, standing, writing or during any other action of the body. Posture is actually dynamic and changes according to the activities being performed. The body weight should be equally distributed over both the legs and feet as to produce less fatigue. Postural deformities are the deformities in the skeletal system of the body that cause improper posture. It can lead to pain in various body parts and sometimes, even become a hindrance in one's growth. There are a number of people who suffer from these deformities, but they don't even know about that due to lack of knowledge. Most people don't even know that problems like this exist.  Various types of postural deformities are stated below. 1.Kyphosis Kyphosis implies an increase of the posterior curve. In this the vertebral column loses its original shape and gets almost straightened. In this the person develops a roun...
Post a Comment
Read more

HERBAL CONTROL OF DIABETES THROUGH FENUGREEK (METHI)

  Benefits of Fenugreek( methi) in diabetes Fenugreek ( scientific name: Trigonella foenum-graecum, Hindi: "Methi" ) is a herb that is used as a spice in indian households. It is cultivated worldwide as a variety of semiarid crop. It is believed that fenugreek seeds help in controlling the blood sugar level of the people and is beneficial to diabetics. It is a herb that has been uses in ayurvedic medications for ages. Diabetes is a condition where the body is not able to control the level of glucose or sugar in the blood due to low or no production of insulin, a hormone that controls the blood sugar level. No or less secretion of insulin in the body leads to a condition called hyperglycemia .   According to WHO, diabetes will become the seventh largest killer worldwide. Diabetes is a chronic disorder that cannot be cured. All you can do is to control the level of sugar in your blood. Why is Fenugreek effective? Fenugreek has various minerals, vitamins and is very rich in f...
Post a Comment
Read more

IMPORTANCE OF MINERALS

  Overview Minerals are very essential for our body. They play a major role in proper development and functioning of various body parts. Our 4 percent body weight is made up of minerals. Minerals are required by our body for various activities such as transmission of nerve impulses, formation of hormones, maintenance of heart beat and so on. These nutrients are not required in large amounts and basically come under the category of micro-nutrients, but their deficiency can cause life threatening conditions. Minerals are categorized on the basis of their requirement on a daily basis. There are basically two categories. 1.Macro minerals These are the minerals that are required in more amounts by our body, 0.1 gram daily, precisely. They include calcium, phosphorus, sodium, chlorine, magnesium, potassium and sulfur. 2. Trace minerals They are required in lesser amounts by our body, 0.01 gram per day. They include copper, iron, cobalt, iodine, fluoride, chromium, selenium and zinc. Now ...
Post a Comment
Read more