Ringworm Home Treatment

Ringworm is a frequent medical skin disorder caused by superficial fungi infection involving the skin of the body. It is also called Tinea corporis. Ringworm is frequent especially among children.

However, it may affect people of all ages

Related skin fungus infections may appear at:

1. The scalp

2. A man's beard

3. The groin (jock itch)

4. The toes

5. Other places on the skin

What is the cause of Ringworm ?

Ringworm is produced by a group of fungi called dermatophytes which consists of:

1. Epidermphyton,

2. Trichophyton and

3. Microsporum.

The fungal infection is mildly infectious.

It can spread by direct contact with the infected skin and scalp of infected persons, lesions on animals especially cats, contaminated floors and furniture.

Ringworm can passed easily from one person to another

Fungi are germs that can grow on the dead cells of the nails, hair, and outer layers of the skin.

Tinea corporis is produced by mold-like fungi called dermatophytes.

Tinea corporis is frequent in children, but can happen in people of all ages.

Fungi grow in warm, moist areas.

A tinea infection tends to be present in a patient who:

1. Has wet skin for a long time (such as from sweating)

2. Has minor skin and nail injuries

3. Do not bathe or wash the hair often

4. Has close contact with other people (such as in sports like wrestling)

Tinea corporis can infect easily.

A person can catch it if he or she comes into direct contact with an area of ringworm on someone's body.

A patient can also get it by touching items that have the fungi on them, such as:

1. Clothing

2. Combs

3. Pool surfaces

4. Shower floors and walls

Males are affected more than females.

What are the Symptoms of Ringworm?

Symptoms are:

1. Flat ring shaped skin rash with well defined edges.

a. Periphery is reddish, vesicular and may be dry or scaly.

b. The central area is usually clear.

If ringworm affects the hair, the patient will have bald patches.

If ringworm affects the nails, they will become discolored, thick, and even crumble.

2. Itch.

The rash begins as a small area of red, raised spots and pimples.

The rash slowly becomes ring-shaped, with a red, raised rim and a pale center.

The rim may look scaly.

The rash may occur on the arms, legs, face, or other exposed body areas.

The area may be itchy.

How is Ringworm diagnosed?

Diagnosis

The doctor can often diagnose tinea corporis by looking at the skin.

The patient may also need the following tests:

Examination of a skin scraping from the rash under a microscope using a special test

How is Ringworm diagnosed?

1. Physical examination shows the typical appearance of the rash.

2. The fungus may glow when the skin is examined with a blue light also called a Wood's light in the dark.

Tests to confirm the diagnosis are:

1. KOH test (potassium hydroxide) for microscopic fungal examination, in the clinic or laboratory to identify the presence of a fungal infection.

This test is performed using small flakes of skin that are examined under the microscope.

2. Skin scrapings for skin biopsy and culture

Skin biopsy

Culture and microscopic examination of the skin is done for fungus

What are the complications of Ringworm?

Two complications of ringworm are:

1. Skin infection from scratching too much

2. Other skin disorders that require further treatment such as secondary bacterial infections with cellulitis and lymphangitis.

Lymphadenitis may occur especially in diabetic patients

TABLE OF CONTENT

Introduction

CONTENTS

Chapter 1: "I've Got Ringworm? What's That?"

Chapter 2: "How Did I Get Ringworm, Anyway?"

Chapter 3: "There's More Than One Type of Ringworm? You're Kidding Me!"

Chapter 4: "Let's Talk Jock Itch"

Chapter 5: "But I'm Not An Athlete. How Could I Get Athlete's Foot?"

Chapter 6: "You Want Me To Do What, With What?"

Chapter 7: "Yes, Animals Get Ringworm, Too!"

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