Ringworm may sound like the name of a parasitic infection, but this skin condition is actually caused by a fungus. Like any skin infection, ringworm brings about some very distressing and irritating symptoms. Though it is a very unsightly affliction, ringworm can be treated fairly easily, and can be completely prevented through common sense decision-making.
About the Fungus
The ringworm fungus, known as Trichophyton rubrum, prefers to grow in warm, moist environments such as locker rooms and swimming pools. Ringworm is spread from one person to another when items that have been contaminated by the fungus are shared between different people. This list includes clothes, towels, sports equipment; you can also contract ringworm through direct contact with an afflicted person.
As you might have expected, the most notable symptom of ringworm is a relatively large rash. When the fungus attacks the arms and/or body, this rash appears as a circular, "bulls-eye" shape, and contains small blister-like bumps. The edges of this rash are usually either red and scaly or moist in crusty, while the center of the infected area is typically clear.
Ringworm isn't just a problem for your body; the fungus can spread to your face, hands and groin as well. When the fungus infects the head, it tends to concentrate on the face and ears. On the hands, ringworm can develop on the palms in a rash similar to eczema. In other cases, the rash may be scaly on the palms, while moist sores develop between the fingers. Ringworm can also cause reddish and scaly rashes to appear on the back of the hand. The edges of these scales have bumps that are similar in texture to blisters. When the fungus attacks the groin, a rash usually develops on the inner thighs or buttocks. The center of these rashes has a reddish-brown hue, and edges may either be scaly or have bumps resembling blisters.
Though ringworm may only initially impact a small area of your body, it can spread significantly in a short time period if not immediately treated. As the infection takes hold, its ring shape becomes more obvious, and its reddish-brown color deepens. Without the use of medication, a patient will begin to experience blisters and cracks that may become infected. Should this happen, antibiotics will be required to remove the infection.
Treatment
There are a number of over-the-counter antifungal creams that are used to treat ringworm. If these creams prove ineffective, there are several types of antifungal pills that will likely prove useful. Often times this second option is only necessary if the rash is widespread. Even though a patient will typically see immediate results from these medications, they are usually advised to continue to take their medications for 2 to 4 weeks, as this will prevent the ringworm fungus from recovering and regaining strength.
Prevention
Given how ringworm discolors, irritates and inflames your skin, protecting yourself against this fungus should be a top priority if you frequently use public accommodations like locker rooms and swimming pools. The following list of suggestions should significantly decrease your odds of contracting ringworm:
- You may hate dealing with dirty laundry, but it's a good idea to change your underwear and socks at least once per day.
- Eschew tight-fitting underwear, pants and panty hose in favor of loose-fitting cotton clothing
- After taking a shower or bath, thoroughly dry yourself off with a towel, and then let your skin air dry for a few minutes. Hair dryers (on cool settings) can also be used to get rid of any lingering water from your skin.
- As much as you may want to help someone out, sharing personal items such as clothing, sports equipment, towels or sheets is a risky and unhealthy idea. The ringworm fungus can easily spread through shared use of these products.
- If your clothes have been exposed to ringworm (either by your own body or from an external source), wash them in hot water with a fungus killing (fungicidal) soap.
- When using public locker rooms or bathing areas, protect your feet from infection by wearing sandals or slippers. In these environments, it is easy to develop athlete's foot, which can spread to your groin and cause ringworm.
- If you play any sports that require skin-to-skin contact, make sure to thoroughly shower and shampoo afterwards.
- If you have athlete's foot, put your socks on first before your underwear. This will help prevent the athlete's foot fungus from spreading to your groin area.
- If your pet starts to lose giant clumps of hair, to the point where is has large empty patches on its body, take it to a veterinarian; this may be a sign that your pet has ringworm. It is very possible for pets to spread ringworm to their owners and other people.
Michael Harris is a contributor to Natural Knowledge 24/7, a monthly newsletter focusing on health and wellness issues. This article, along with many others covering a wide range of subjects, can be found at http://naturalknowledge247.com/
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