Transcript Ringworm

WHAT IS RINGWORM?
Ringworm is a common fungal skin infection otherwise known as tinea.
Ringworm most commonly affects the skin on the body (tinea corporis),
the scalp (tinea capitis), the feet (tinea pedis, or athlete's foot), or the
groin (tinea cruris, or jock itch).
http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/ringworm/ss/slideshow-ringworm-overview
DOES RINGWORM MEAN I HAVE WORMS?
No. Ringworm is not caused by a worm. It's a fungal infection that often
forms a ring-shaped rash. It can have a red center (seen here) or normal
skin tone inside the ring. Other rashes can look like ringworm, including
spider bites, nummular eczema, and Lyme disease, a more serious
infection that produces a bull's-eye shaped rash. These require different
treatments, so it's important to consult a medical professional
http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/ringworm/ss/slideshow-ringworm-overview
WHAT CAUSES RINGWORM?
Certain fungi can help the body, but the dermatophyte type that cause
ringworm irritate the skin instead. These fungi live off the dead tissues of
your skin, hair, and nails. Dermatophytes thrive in warm, moist areas, such
as the skin folds of the groin area or between the toes. You’re at greater
risk of getting ringworm if you sweat excessively or have minor injuries to
your skin, scalp, or nails
http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/ringworm/ss/slideshow-ringworm-overview
RINGWORM OF THE BODY (TINEA CORPORIS)
There are several types of ringworm (tinea) that can affect different parts
of the body. When fungus affects the skin of the body, it often produces
itchy, red, raised, scaly patches that may blister and ooze. The patches
often have sharply defined edges. They are often redder around the
outside with normal skin tone in the center, creating the appearance of a
ring. Your skin may also appear unusually dark or light.
http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/ringworm/ss/slideshow-ringworm-overview
RINGWORM OF THE SCALP (TINEA CAPITIS)
Ringworm of the scalp commonly affects children in late childhood or
adolescence. This condition may spread in schools. Tinea capitis often
appears as patchy, scaling bald spots on the scalp. (Other scalp
conditions, such as seborrhea or dandruff, do not cause hair loss).
http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/ringworm/ss/slideshow-ringworm-overview
RINGWORM OF THE FOOT (TINEA PEDIS)
Tinea pedis is an extremely common skin disorder, also known as
athlete's foot. This fungal infection may cause scaling and
inflammation in the toe webs, especially the one between the fourth
and fifth toes. Other symptoms include itching, burning, redness, and
stinging on the soles of the feet
http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/ringworm/ss/slideshow-ringworm-overview
RINGWORM OF THE BEARD (TINEA BARBAE)
Ringworm of the bearded area of the face and neck, with
swellings and marked crusting, sometimes causes the hair to
break off. In the days when men went to the barber daily for a
shave, tinea barbae was called barber's itch.
http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/ringworm/ss/slideshow-ringworm-overview
RINGWORM OF THE FACE (TINEA FACIEI)
Ringworm on the face outside of the beard area is called tinea faciei.
On the face, ringworm is rarely ring-shaped. Characteristically, it causes
red, scaly patches with indistinct edges
http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/ringworm/ss/slideshow-ringworm-overview
RINGWORM OF THE HAND (TINEA MANUS)
Ringworm may involve the hands, particularly the palms and the spaces
between the fingers. It typically causes thickening (hyperkeratosis) of these
areas, often on only one hand. Tinea manus is a common companion of
tinea pedis (ringworm of the feet). It is also called tinea manuum.
http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/ringworm/ss/slideshow-ringworm-overview
RINGWORM OF THE NAILS (TINEA UNGUIUM)
Ringworm is the most common fungal infection of the nails, also called
onychomycosis. It can make fingernails look white, thick, opaque, and
brittle, but more often toenails look yellow, thick, and brittle. Artificial
nails increase the risk for tinea unguium as emery boards can carry
infection, and water can collect under the artificial nail, creating a
moist area for fungal growth
http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/ringworm/ss/slideshow-ringworm-overview
SPREADS ON CONTACT
Ringworm is highly contagious and can be spread multiple ways.
 You can get it from an infected person, animal, object, and even
soil.
 Heat and moisture help fungi grow and thrive, which makes them
more common in areas where you sweat.
 Fungi also grows in skin folds such as those in the groin or between
the toes.
http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/ringworm/ss/slideshow-ringworm-overview
CATCHING RINGWORM FROM PETS
Ringworm is an example of a zoonotic disease (transmitted from animals
to humans). Cats are among the most commonly affected animals. If a
cat has ringworm, a person in the house often gets the infection. Dogs,
cows, goats, pigs, and horses can also spread ringworm to humans.
People catch ringworm from touching the animals, or touching their
bedding, grooming items, saddles, carpeting, etc.
http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/ringworm/ss/slideshow-ringworm-overview
HOW IS RINGWORM DIAGNOSED?
Sometimes, the diagnosis of ringworm is obvious from its location and
appearance. Otherwise, doctors can test skin scrapings for tinea fungus
http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/ringworm/ss/slideshow-ringworm-overview
HOW IS RINGWORM TREATED?
Ringworm can be treated with antifungal creams containing clotrimazole
(Cruex, Lotrimin), miconazole (Desenex, Monistat-Derm), ketoconazole
(Nizoral), and terbinafine (Lamisil). In cases of severe or resistant infections
on the scalp or nails, doctors may prescribe oral medicines such as
terbinafine, itraconazole (Sporanox), griseofulvin, fluconazole (Diflucan),
ciclopirox, or naftifine.
http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/ringworm/ss/slideshow-ringworm-overview
TIPS FOR PREVENTING RINGWORM
Ringworm is difficult to prevent, but here are tips to reduce your risk:
Don't share clothing, sports gear, towels, or sheets.
Wear slippers in locker rooms and public pool & bathing areas.
Shower after any sport that includes skin-to-skin contact.
Wear loose-fitting cotton clothing. Change your socks and underwear
at least once a day.
 Keep skin clean and dry. Dry yourself completely after showering.
 If you have athlete's foot, put your socks on before your underwear to
prevent spreading to other parts of your body.
 Take your pet to the vet if it has patches of missing hair, which could
be a sign of a fungal infection.
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http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/ringworm/ss/slideshow-ringworm-overview