1. Ringworm: The Symptoms
Ringworm is a fungus commonly transferred from pets to their owners or from humans to humans. It thrives in warm and damp environments or in body parts that collect sweat. Ringworm is the same fungus found in jock itch and athlete's foot, and the treatments are the same. This condition takes its name from the imperfect circles or rings that indicate an infection. Sometimes they look like targets, especially if the rings are large or multiple. There's usually flaking and itchiness around the lesion. In animals, the infection causes hair loss at the site of the lesion. Children, the elderly and sick adults are most likely to get ringworm.
2. Treat Your Pets First
If anyone in your house has ringworm, your pets have it. In fact, they've probably had it for a while without you realizing it. Take your pet to the vet for confirmation of ringworm. The doctor will recommend topical or oral treatments. These treatments are fairly effective, although ringworm is tough to completely eliminate in animals. Make sure you wash your hands thoroughly after petting animals infected with ringworm to prevent getting infected.
3. Get Rid of it in Your House
Since ringworm is spread by the hairs of infected animals, you must vacuum every day and wash pet linens in hot water. Ringworm spores can live for a long time on furniture and carpets, so you must be vigilant. Wash the towels, sheets, blankets and washcloths of any person who's infected daily to prevent further infections. Avoid sharing clothes or towels with anyone who's infected. Finally, remember that it's possible to get more than one lesion from clothes or towels.
4. Quarantine the Lesions
To prevent ringworm from spreading, wash your hands thoroughly after touching or itching lesions. Wear clothing that covers the lesions. If you play contact sports, such as wrestling, cover the lesions with band-aids. However, children don't have to stay out of school; just tell them to avoid touching anyone with their lesions.
5. Treat Ringworm Topically
If you suspect that you've contracted ringworm, ask your care provider for a diagnosis. Some care providers will prescribe a topical cream or an oral medication, especially if you're having difficulty getting rid of the ringworm. Curing ringworm usually requires medications containing terbinafine (such as Lamisil) or tolnaftate (such as Tinactin) or medications designed for athlete's foot and jock itch. It usually takes about two weeks to get rid of ringworm, although you may want to apply the cream for four weeks to prevent recurring infection.
