Ringworm Background
Ringworm is not due to a worm like the name implies. It is a fungal skin infection that occurs in all ages, but is more common in children. The name “ringworm” comes from the distinctive ring pattern that red spots form on your skin. There is eight forms of ringworm; your body (tinea corporis), the scalp (tinea capitis), the feet (tinea pedis or athlete’s foot), the groin (tinea cruris or jock itch), the face (tinea faciei), the hand (tinea manus), the nails (tinea unguium), and the beard (tinea barbae).
Causes and Spread of Ringworm
Ringworm is caused by a fungus that can live on your skin or surfaces like; locker room floors household items (towels, bedsheets, and clothing.) The spread of ringworm occurs by contact. …show more content…
Ringworm can be tested in the following three ways; KOH (potassium hydroxide) preparation, a Wood’s light exam, or skin culture. A KOH preparation is a test that helps your physician find out if a fungus is causing your rash. The physician takes a sample of your skin by lightly scraping the infected area. The skin sample is placed on a slide with a potassium hydroxide solution and is gently heated. If the fungus cells are present then the doctor can see them using a microscope. A Wood’s light exam is used to see if the rash is caused by a fungus. The physician shines a special light on the skin where you have the rash. Only certain types of fungi present (glow) under this light. Lastly, the skin culture test. This test identifies what fungus is causing the skin infection. The skin culture test is only performed when it’s a difficult diagnosis or the skin condition was not responding to treatment. The skin culture test can take up to four weeks because the fungus needs time to …show more content…
Try to avoid contact with an infected person. Avoid sharing towels, hats, hairbrushes, and clothing with the infected person. Take your pet to the vet if you suspect ringworm. After showers, be sure to dry your skin well; especially in between your toes or where skin touches skin (groin and armpits.)
Treatment
The treatment for ringworm can be over – the – counter topical fungal medications which come in ointment, cream or powder form. This medications must be applied directly to the infected area. Examples of over – the – counter medications; Clotrimazole (Lotrimin AF), Miconazole (Micatin), Terbinafine (Lamisil), and Tolnaftate (Tinactin.) Your doctor can also prescribe you a stronger topical medication or fungicidal (which is taken by mouth) if the listed medications above do not work or if the ringworm becomes widespread. Typically ringworm will usually for away within four weeks, avoid scratching because it can lead to another skin
Ringworm is not due to a worm like the name implies. It is a fungal skin infection that occurs in all ages, but is more common in children. The name “ringworm” comes from the distinctive ring pattern that red spots form on your skin. There is eight forms of ringworm; your body (tinea corporis), the scalp (tinea capitis), the feet (tinea pedis or athlete’s foot), the groin (tinea cruris or jock itch), the face (tinea faciei), the hand (tinea manus), the nails (tinea unguium), and the beard (tinea barbae).
Causes and Spread of Ringworm
Ringworm is caused by a fungus that can live on your skin or surfaces like; locker room floors household items (towels, bedsheets, and clothing.) The spread of ringworm occurs by contact. …show more content…
Ringworm can be tested in the following three ways; KOH (potassium hydroxide) preparation, a Wood’s light exam, or skin culture. A KOH preparation is a test that helps your physician find out if a fungus is causing your rash. The physician takes a sample of your skin by lightly scraping the infected area. The skin sample is placed on a slide with a potassium hydroxide solution and is gently heated. If the fungus cells are present then the doctor can see them using a microscope. A Wood’s light exam is used to see if the rash is caused by a fungus. The physician shines a special light on the skin where you have the rash. Only certain types of fungi present (glow) under this light. Lastly, the skin culture test. This test identifies what fungus is causing the skin infection. The skin culture test is only performed when it’s a difficult diagnosis or the skin condition was not responding to treatment. The skin culture test can take up to four weeks because the fungus needs time to …show more content…
Try to avoid contact with an infected person. Avoid sharing towels, hats, hairbrushes, and clothing with the infected person. Take your pet to the vet if you suspect ringworm. After showers, be sure to dry your skin well; especially in between your toes or where skin touches skin (groin and armpits.)
Treatment
The treatment for ringworm can be over – the – counter topical fungal medications which come in ointment, cream or powder form. This medications must be applied directly to the infected area. Examples of over – the – counter medications; Clotrimazole (Lotrimin AF), Miconazole (Micatin), Terbinafine (Lamisil), and Tolnaftate (Tinactin.) Your doctor can also prescribe you a stronger topical medication or fungicidal (which is taken by mouth) if the listed medications above do not work or if the ringworm becomes widespread. Typically ringworm will usually for away within four weeks, avoid scratching because it can lead to another skin