According to AskDrSears.com, ringworm, also called tinea, is a contagious fungal infection that can affect the body including the scalp, feet, and nails. It affects both adults and children alike and is very common. Although the name suggests the cause of infection is caused by a parasitic worm, ringworm is actually caused by two harmless fungi: trichophyton and microsporum.
How to Identify Ringworm
According to the Ask Doctor Sears website, ringworm lesions appear to be red, flat, round and scaly. There is a sharp border between the infected and healthy skin, and it may vary in size from the size of a dime to several inches across. Usually ringworm is found on the face, torso, arms or legs. It is extremely itchy, and if you scratch the lesions, it may lead to the spread of infection, as well as increasing the risk of spreading it to others.
How You Can Catch Ringworm
According to Dhpe.org, the fungi that cause ringworm is spread by either direct or indirect contact with the disease. It is very contagious. You may have gotten ringworm through direct contact with an infected person, soil or an infected pet, as it is a common disease in dogs and cats.
Diagnosing Ringworm
AskDrSears.com says that ringworm is easily diagnosed by your doctor by visual inspection of the lesions. If for some reason your doctor is unsure, he may perform a scraping of the lesion to inspect it under a microscope. There are several other skin disorders that may look like ringworm, including eczema, contact dermatitis, psoriasis and seborrhea, so if you have never had ringworm before, it is a good idea to get diagnosed by your doctor.
Treatment
Treatment for ringworm is the same for children as it is for adults. According to the Ask Dr. Sears website, standard treatment for ringworm is an over-the-counter anti-fungal that contains clotrimazole. It should be applied twice a day to the lesions and surrounding skin. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe a prescription cream, but usually the over-the-counter creams work just fine.
Considerations
Once you have begun treating your ringworm, you may not see any results for up to two weeks, and according to AskDrSears.com, this is completely normal. Continue using the cream for up to four weeks or until the lesions are gone. If no improvement occurs after two weeks, contact your doctor.
