Ringworm (Scalp and Body) – Symptoms and causes

What is Ringworm of the Body?

The Ringworm is a skin infection due to fungus.

Ringworm” is an incorrect name – there is nothing to do with insects in transition. Its name comes from the small, ring or circle shaped beacon visible on the body due to infection. In the ringworm of the body, dizziness is visible in the areas of skin, except that the scalp, throat, palms of the hands and soles of the feet are visible.

The condition is normal and highly contagious, but it is not serious. After the type of fungus due to infection, it is sometimes known as “tinea corporis”.

What Causes Ringworm of the Body?

A group of fungi called dermatophytes, causes ringworm. Dermatophytes are excluded from the substance called keratin, which is found in many parts of a person’s body, which includes nails, skin and hair. In the body ring, the fungus infectes the skin.

Typical dermatology, after tinea, body ringworm is also called tinea corporis. Other related ringworm have similar names in fungal infection, including the following:

•  Tinea pedise, commonly called the athlete’s foot.
•  Tinea Cruris, also called jock itch
•  Tinea capitis, also called ringworm of the scalp

Symptoms of Body Ringworm

The symptoms of ringworm of the body usually begin about 4 to 10 days after contact with the fungus.

The body looks like a ring ring – or spherical shaped rashes with edges which are raised slightly. The skin looks healthy between these ring-shaped rocks. Generally, the rash is itching. They will spread during the transition

Symptoms of more severe infection include ringworms that multiply and merge together. You can also develop blisters and swollen wounds near the ringworm.

How Does the Body Ringworm Spread?

A ringworm transition can spread through many direct and indirect ways, including the following:

•  Person to person: This is through ringworm direct contact with the person’s skin.
•  Pets / Animals to Person: This happens when you directly contact with infected pets. Dogs and cats can spread infection to both people. Ferrets, horses, rabbits, goats, and pigs can also spread ringworm for people.
•  Inanimate item to person: It is possible to get ringworm through indirect contact with items including infected person, bed, clothes, shower stalls and floor hair.
•  Soil to person: Seldom, through the contact of an infected soil, a ringworm infection can spread for a long time.

Who is at Risk for Ringworm Infection?

Compared to adults, the body ringworm is more prone to infection. However, many people have some risk to get infected. According to the United Kingdom National Health Service, about 10 to 20 percent of people will be infected with a fungus at some point in their life.

Factors that increase your risk include:

•  Stay in moisture or wet areas
•  excessive sweating
•  Participate in contact sports
•  Wear tight clothes
•  Is a weak immune system
•  Sharing clothes, bedding, or towels with others

How is the Diagnosis of Ringworm?

If your doctor suspects that you may have ringworm, they will check your skin and do some tests to refuse other skin conditions, such as atopic dermatitis or psoriasis. Usually a skin examination will result in diagnosis.

Your doctor can also look for skin scrapping from the affected area below a microscope to look for fungus. A sample can be sent to the laboratory for confirmation. To see this, a laboratory can test a culture whether the fungus increases or not.

How is the Treatment of Ringworm?

Over-the-counter (OTC) topical fungicide medicines are usually enough to treat infection. Medication can be in the form of powder, ointment, or cream. It is applied directly to the affected areas of the skin. These medicines include OTC products such as:

•  Clotrimazole (Lotrimin AF)
•  Miconazol (micatin)
•  Terbinafine (Lamisil)
•  Tolfaftate (tinactin)

Your pharmacist can also help you choose which one is right for you.

If the body ringworm is broad, serious, or does not respond to the above mentioned drugs, then your doctor can write a strong topical drug or a fungicide from the mouth. Griseofulvin is a commonly prescribed oral treatment for fungal infections.

Potential Complications of Ringworm Infection

The infection is not serious and rarely, the skin will spread beneath the surface. However, people with a weak immune system, such as those with HIV or AIDS, may have trouble getting rid of infection.

With other types of skin infections and conditions, it may cause secondary bacterial infection with itching, irritability, or broken skin, which may require treatment with antibiotics.

How Can Ringworm Infection be Prevented?

The body ringworm can be prevented by avoiding contact with any person in the infection. It includes both indirect and direct contact with that person.

Take the following precautions:
•  Avoid sharing towels, caps, hairbrushes and clothing with someone with a transit.
•  If you suspect a ringworm infection then take your pet to see a vet.
•  If your body has a ringworm, make sure to maintain good personal hygiene around other people and avoid scratches of the affected areas of your skin.
•  After shower, dry your skin well – especially between the toes and where the skin touches the skin, such as groin and side by side.

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