The very first thing to find out about ringworm is that there are not any bugs involved.
This will likely be a harmless skin infection brought on by a fungus. The fungus normally causes a ring-shaped, raised rash, almost as if a worm had crawled under the skin (but again: no bugs are involved).
The medical name for ringworm is tinea corpora.
Are there other kinds of tinea infection?
There are several kinds of tinea skin infections, named in Latin for the a part of the body they affect, e.g.
- skull
- waist
- Feet (tenypedes)
- Body
Tinea infections look a bit of different depending on which a part of the body they affect, but they are frequently pink or red and rough.
How do you get ringworm?
Tinea infections, especially ringworm (Taenia corporis), are quite common. People catch them from other infected people and from infected animals, especially dogs and cats. They may spread from one a part of the body to a different.
What does ringworm appear like?
It normally starts as a pink rough patch that then spreads right into a ring. The ring (which just isn't necessarily perfectly round) normally spreads wider over time. It can sometimes be itchy, but more often than not it doesn't cause any discomfort.
There are other rashes that may appear like a hoop, so it's at all times vital to see your doctor, especially if the ring isn't rough. But most ringworms are tinea.
How is ringworm treated?
Fortunately, tinea corporis and other kinds of tinea are very treatable. Most of the time, an antifungal cream does the trick.
When the rash is widespread (which is rare) or doesn't reply to antifungal cream (also rare), an antifungal medication could be taken by mouth.
As is the case with many other germs nowadays, there are some. Drug resistant cases Tinnitus related to overuse of antifungal drugs. But nearly all of fungal infections go away with medication.
What do you have to do in the event you think a member of the family—or pet—has ringworm?
Call your doctor in the event you think someone in your loved ones has ringworm. The sooner you begin treatment, the higher.
If someone within the family has been diagnosed with ringworm, be sure that other people don't share clothes, towels, or sheets. Have everyone wash their hands steadily and thoroughly.
Call the vet in case your pet has a rash. Vacuum areas your pet frequents, and ask everyone to scrub their hands after touching the pet.
Can you stop ringworm?
To prevent tinea corpora and other kinds of tinea:
- Keep skin clean and dry.
- Change clothes (especially socks and underwear) commonly.
- Wash your hands commonly (this helps prevent every kind of infections).
- If your child plays contact sports, be sure that they shower after practice, keep their uniforms and equipment clean, and don't share gear with other players.
To learn more about ringworm, visit Centers for Disease and Prevention website.
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