Do you also have this 'ringworm' problem? (Ringworm) Let's be aware of this!

"Oh, I have a red, itchy rash all over my body!" You've probably said that too, or maybe you've heard it. This is what we often call 'roundworm' or 'worm infestation.' Despite the word 'worm' in the name, this is not actually a disease caused by a worm. So what is this? Let's talk about it today.

What is 'Ringworm'?

You may be surprised to hear that ringworm is not caused by a worm, but by a fungus . To be precise, this fungus thrives in warm, moist places, such as public bathrooms and gym locker rooms. It is a very common and contagious skin infection. It gets its name from the red, itchy, circular plaques that appear on the skin. It looks like a ring. It can be easily spread from person to person, from an animal, or by touching an infected object.

You get ringworm if you come into contact with an infected person, animal, or object. Ringworm is called by different names depending on where it occurs on your body. For example, if it occurs on your body, such as your arms, legs, chest, or face, it is called tinea corporis . It is treated with antifungal medications. Some are available over the counter, while others require a prescription.

What are the types of ringworm?

Now let's see where this 'ringworm' occurs on the body, and what its names are. It can actually occur anywhere on the body.

• Athlete's foot (tinea pedis): This is something that many people get. It causes itchy, inflamed, red patches on the soles of your feet and between your toes . Sometimes the skin can become dry, flaky, and cracked. Blisters can also form. Some people's feet may also smell bad because of this.
• Jock itch (tinea cruris ): This appears as a red, itchy rash in the groin, upper thighs, or buttocks . Some people may also develop blisters. It is more common in people who sweat a lot and wear tight clothing.
• Scalp ringworm (tinea capitis): This is more common in young children. It causes scaly, red, itchy patches on the scalp, and hair loss in those areas. If not treated properly, these bald patches can grow larger and may even lead to permanent hair loss. Therefore, it is important to be especially careful about this.
• On the hands (tinea manuum): When this occurs on the hands, the palms become dry and cracked, and circular spots may appear on the backs of the hands .
• Beard-related (tinea barbae): Where men have beards, that isThis can occur on areas like the chin, cheeks, and neck. Sometimes these spots can form a crust and fill with pus.
• Nail fungus (tinea unguium or onychomycosis): The nails on the hands or feet become thick, discolored, and begin to deform . This can take some time to heal.

What does ringworm look like?

Ringworm usually starts as a flat, discolored spot. Depending on the skin tone of some people, it may appear red in people with light skin and brown in people with dark skin. The spot is round, like a ring. It has a slightly raised, scaly border around it. The center may look like normal skin. That's why it's called ringworm.

Who gets ringworm?

Ringworm can affect anyone, regardless of age. However, some people are more likely to develop it. Let's see who they are:

• For those with a weakened immune system or autoimmune diseases like lupus .
• People who play contact sports like wrestling. Ringworm that develops in this way is also called tinea gladiatorum .
• For those with excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis). Sweat is the perfect environment for fungus to grow.
• For those who frequently use public locker rooms or public showers. Fungus can easily spread in such places.
• For those who work closely with animals that have roundworms. For example, those who work with livestock or those who groom pets.

How common is ringworm?

Ringworm is a very contagious and very common condition. It is estimated that between 20% and 25% of the world's population may have this infection at any given time. That gives you an idea of ​​how common it is.

What are the symptoms of ringworm?

Symptoms usually begin to appear within 4 to 14 days after your skin comes into contact with the fungus that causes ringworm. The main symptoms are:

• The appearance of circular, ring-shaped scales or plaques .
• The appearance of flat spots with raised edges .
• Itchy skin. This is the main problem that many people have.
• It is common for hair to fall out or bald spots to form at the site of infection (especially on the scalp).

What causes ringworm?

Even though the name says 'worm', we've already said that this is caused by a fungus.These fungi actually live naturally on our skin, hair, and nails. However, when the environment they are in is hot and damp, they start to grow out of control. If your skin comes into contact with the ringworm fungus on someone else's skin, you can get the infection.

How contagious is ringworm?

Ringworm is very contagious. This fungus can live on your skin, on various surfaces, and even in the soil. The main ways ringworm is spread are:

• Skin-to-skin contact with someone who has roundworms.
• Contact with an infected dog, cat or animal. This can be a farm animal or a pet.
• Contact with a contaminated surface. For example, the floor of a gym locker room, sweaty gym clothes, etc.
• Sharing objects used by an infected person or animal, such as a comb, towel, or bed linen.
• Contact with contaminated soil.

How to diagnose ringworm? (Diagnosis)

Your doctor or healthcare provider can tell if you have ringworm by examining your skin and asking about your symptoms. Sometimes, they can also scrape a small piece of skin from the affected area and look at it under a microscope. This examination of the skin scrapings can usually confirm whether you have ringworm or not.

How to treat ringworm?

There are several types of antifungal medications that can be purchased over-the-counter (nonprescription/over-the-counter) and prescription to treat ringworm . These antifungal medications can come in the form of creams, gels, or powders. If ringworm is widespread, your doctor may also prescribe oral antifungal medication.

Antifungal creams and powders available at the pharmacy

In most cases, over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal creams, gels, or powders that you can buy directly from a pharmacy are sufficient. These types of medications include:

• Clotrimazole ( e.g. Lotrimin® or Mycelex®)
• Miconazole ( e.g. Desenex®)
• Terbinafine ( e.g. Lamisil AT®)
• Tolnaftate ( e.g. Tinactin®)

However, if your symptoms do not improve after about two weeks of using this medicine, or if they seem to be getting worse,You will need to take oral prescription medication prescribed by a doctor.

Oral medication prescribed by a doctor

If you have ringworm on your scalp or multiple areas of your body, your doctor will prescribe an oral antifungal medication. This medication is usually taken for one to three months at a time. These medications include:

• Fluconazole (e.g. Diflucan®)
• Griseofulvin ( e.g. Griasctin®)
• Itraconazole (e.g. Sporanox®)
• Terbinafine ( e.g. Lamisil®)

Antifungal shampoo

Using an antifungal shampoo, such as ketoconazole shampoo (e.g., Nizoral AD®), can help stop the spread of scalp ringworm. It won't cure it completely, but it can help control the infection. You should also take a prescribed oral antifungal medication along with this shampoo. It may also be helpful for other family members, even those who don't have the disease, to use this shampoo to help prevent the spread of the infection.

Home remedies for ringworm

Some people use things like apple cider vinegar or tea tree oil at home. However, these have not been scientifically proven to have any significant effect. In fact, applying apple cider vinegar can potentially cause injury and further inflammation. Although tea tree oil has antifungal properties, its effectiveness is not fully known.

The most important thing is to keep your home clean. The roundworm fungus can live on surfaces for months. You can use disinfectant sprays like Lysol® or bleach to kill the fungus. Wash clothes, bedding, and towels thoroughly in hot water and detergent to help prevent the spread of roundworms.

A warning about steroid creams

Sometimes you may feel like using creams that contain corticosteroids to relieve itching and inflammation. However, these are not good for treating ringworm. In fact, these creams weaken your skin's defense mechanisms. Then the infection can spread further and affect a larger area. So you need to be very careful about this.

How long does it take to heal from ringworm? What can be done to heal it faster?

Mild roundworm infections usually resolve within a few weeks. However, someSignificant infections can take six to 12 weeks to heal.

There are several things you can do to speed up your recovery:

• Keep the infected area as clean and dry as possible. Moisture is a paradise for fungi.
• Apply the antifungal lotion, cream, or ointment prescribed by your doctor for the entire treatment period. Don't stop when the treatment starts to fade.
• Avoid touching the infected area. If you must, wash your hands thoroughly before touching other parts of your body.

Does ringworm heal on its own? Can it come back?

Ringworm can clear up on its own, but it's not very common. Also, as long as you have ringworm on your skin, you are more likely to be contagious to others .

Yes, ringworm can come back. If you treat it properly, ringworm will be completely cured. But, as the doctor said, you need to complete the treatment for the prescribed period. If you stop the treatment halfway, or if you stop it too early, the infection can come back. Then it can be even more difficult to cure.

What are the possible complications of ringworm?

If you suspect that you or your child has ringworm, do not use anti-itch creams that contain corticosteroids. As we mentioned earlier, these creams can weaken your skin's defenses and make the infection worse.

Very rarely, this 'ringworm' fungus can go deeper into the skin, making it even more difficult to treat.

Scalp ringworm can cause a painful inflammation called a kerion . In this kerion, you may develop crusty, pus-filled sores on your scalp. You may also lose your hair and develop scars. Therefore, it is very important to see a doctor immediately if you have ringworm on your scalp.

How to prevent ringworm?

Ringworm thrives in warm, moist places. The fungus can survive for months on towels, clothing, bedding, and household surfaces. Here are some things you can do to prevent ringworm:

• Change your socks and underwear daily. It's a good idea to change them several times a day, even if they get wet or dirty.
• Take a quick shower after playing contact sports or exercising.
• Wear sandals or shower shoes in public swimming pools, public locker rooms, and bathrooms.
• Dry your skin thoroughly after bathing, especially between your toes.
• Do not share personal hygiene items such as towels, swimwear, bedding, clothing, and combs with others.
• Wash clothes, sportswear, bedding, and towels thoroughly with hot water and detergent.
• Disinfect surfaces using bleach or a spray like Lysol®.
• If your pets have roundworms, treat them.
• Wash your hands thoroughly after interacting with animals.

If your immune system is weak, or you live in a humid, hot climate, you are at higher risk of developing fungal infections.

When should I see a doctor?

In cases like these, you should definitely see a doctor:

• If you have a ringworm infection on your scalp.
• If the infected area is swollen, red, and looks infected.
• If you develop this during pregnancy .
• If the infection spreads to other areas of the body.
• If the condition does not improve despite proper use of over-the-counter antifungal medication purchased from the pharmacy.

What questions should you ask the doctor?

If you or your child has ringworm, it's normal to have many questions. You can ask your doctor things like:

• How did I get this 'roundworm'?
• How long is roundworm contagious?
• Should I (or my child) stay home from work/school until my roundworm infection is cured?
• What can I do to prevent roundworms from spreading to other parts of my body?
• What can I do to prevent spreading roundworms to others?
• What is the best treatment for roundworms?
• Are there any medications or treatments that I should not use?
• What can I do to prevent getting roundworms again?
• How do I know if my pet has roundworms?
• What symptoms should I look out for regarding complications?

More things to know

Is 'ringworm' really a worm?

No, ringworm is not a worm. It's a fungal infection. It gets its name from the circular, ring-like appearance it has.

What happens if you get ringworm during pregnancy?

The fungus that causes ringworm does not affect your pregnancy.However, it's a good idea to ask your doctor before using over-the-counter antifungal creams or powders. Oral antifungal medications appear to be safe to take during pregnancy, but it's best to discuss the risks and benefits with your pregnancy care provider.

Can dogs and cats get ringworm?

Yes, ringworm can be transmitted from dogs and cats, as well as from other animals such as cows, goats, and horses. You can protect yourself by always washing your hands thoroughly after playing with or touching animals. If your pet has ringworm, be sure to disinfect its bedding and other items, as well as thoroughly clean the areas in your home where it lives.

What is the difference between ringworm and eczema?

Eczema and many other skin conditions can resemble ringworm. Like ringworm, eczema causes the skin to itch and become red. However, unlike ringworm, eczema is not contagious and does not spread from one part of the body to another. Ringworm has a distinctive, round, ring-like appearance. It is best to see a doctor for an accurate diagnosis.

Finally, things to remember (Take-Home Message)

Ringworm can be a bit annoying, but antifungal medications can kill the fungus that causes it. Treatment can take a while, but as your doctor says, it's important to complete the treatment for the full duration. If you stop treatment early, the ringworm can come back and be harder to treat. Ask your doctor how to prevent ringworm from spreading to other parts of your body and to others.

Remember, cleanliness and prompt treatment are the best ways to control roundworms!

` Roundworm, Ringworm, Ringworm, Fungal Infection, Skin Diseases, Infectious Diseases, Antifungals