| Ringworm – What is it?
Ringworm is an inflammation of the skin in which a red ring appears on the affected region of the skin. The presence of this ring is the reason why the disease is named in this manner. The medical name of ringworm is tinea corporis. It is caused due to a fungal infection.
The condition of ringworm can appear on various parts of the body, including the scalp of the head. The condition is a universal condition, i.e. it can occur in all kinds of people of all ages, genders, ethnicities, lifestyles, etc., but it is generally observed that children are more prone to the condition than adults. Being a contagious condition, it is very commonly found in almost all parts of the world.
Ringworm has some sort of stigma attached with it because it is a disease that is caused due to lack of hygiene. A person who gets the condition is considered to be careless about their hygiene.
Ringworm – Common Symptoms
The round inflammation shaped like a ring that appears on the body of the person is the best indication that the condition is ringworm. This ring is rash and red in color and has a very distinct round edge. The ring may be slightly raised in comparison to the surrounding surface of the skin. In most cases, the ringworm keeps expanding, which happens in a circular manner.
The ring is the itchiest part of the ringworm, but surrounding parts may become itchy too. If the surrounding part of the ringworm is itching, it is an indication that the ring is expanding.
It is important to distinguish between ringworm and other similar conditions. Ringworm is itchier and the most prominent symptom is the ring shaped inflammation. If the inflammation stays for more than a fortnight, it is most probably ringworm.
Ringworm – Causes
The most prominent way in which ringworm is spread is through the contagion. There are various agents that can pass the fungi causing ringworm from one body to another. The commonest forms of contagion are from one victim to another. This victim could be human or an animal that can carry the fungus. Some of the common animals from whom ringworm can pass on to humans are dogs, cats, pigs, horses, goats and ferrets.
Ringworm is highly contagious, so much so that it does not require a living vector to carry the fungus. The fungus can persist even on something that the sufferer has touched and can then pass on to another person. That is the reason the clothes, brushes, combs, towels, shoes, socks, etc. of the person who is suffering from ringworm must be kept and washed separated with an antifungal detergent.
Ringworm – Treatment
Since it is a fungal inflammation, the way to treat ringworm is through antifungal medication. Chemicals such as clotrimazole, ketoconazole, terbinagine and miconazole are used in the treatment of the condition. These medications are usually available over the counter. However, since most of them can cause unpleasant side effects and because these need to be taken in a particular routine, it is a good idea to have medical supervision for the treatment.
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