Ringworms, a type of fungal infection, can affect the skin, nails and scalp. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, this fungus, also called dermatophytid and tinea can affect all ages but typically appears in children. A worm does not cause this contagious skin disorder. The causative fungi live well in warm, moist areas.
Types
Ringworm can develop on several areas of the body at once. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, the area of the body infected by the fungus determines the name of the skin disorder; for example, tinea corporis refers to the body; tinea capitis, the scalp; tinea cruris or jock itch, the groin and tinea pedis or athlete's foot suggests the feet.
Symptoms
Mayo Clinic states ringworm appears on the skin as a red, round, scaly area. The center of the inflamed skin looks healthy and typically itches. Occasionally, patients may have ringworm without this common skin symptom. Ringworm to the scalp may cause hair to break, become brittle or easily fall out. The infected areas may appear red or grey with patches that slowly increase in size.
Complications
Ringworm rarely causes serious complications. According to Mayo Clinic, tinea infections to the body do not often spread beyond the skin; although, HIV and AIDS patients or people with poor immune systems may have trouble clearing up ringworm. Tinea capitis or ringworm of the scalp can develop into a disorder known as kerion. This skin disorder, characterized by raised areas that drain pus, causes pain and inflammation of the scalp. Kerion can result in permanent hair loss and scarring.
Diagnosis
In order to diagnosis ringworm, health care providers will initially determine if the patient has had contact with infected people or animals. According to Mayo Clinic, skin scrapping or hair samples are sometimes required for examination under a microscope. Samples requiring further testing may go to a professional laboratory for assessment.
Treatment
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, ringworm can clear in approximately four weeks with proper care. Self-care treatments include keeping skin clean and dry, administration of non-prescription antifungal treatments, applying drying powders, lotions or creams to affected areas and daily washing of sheets and clothes during infection. For best results, antifungal medication should contain the medication miconazole or clotrimazole. Infections that will not clear may need intervention from a health care provider. Treatments commonly initiated by physicians include prescription antifungal pills or topical medications and antibiotics if bacterial infections occur.
Prevention
In order to prevent contraction of ringworm, the University of Maryland Medical Center suggests the following precautionary measures: keeping skin and feet clean and dry, shampooing regularly, avoid sharing clothes, towels or personal hygiene products, do not go bare foot in public gyms, locker rooms or pools and avoid touching animals with patches of missing hair.
