11/13/2023 0 Comments Does scratching ringworm make it worseTinea infections, particularly ringworm (tinea corporis), are very common. Tinea infections can look a bit different depending on what part of the body they affect, but they are usually pink or red and scaly. There are many different kinds of tinea skin infections, named in Latin for the part of the body they affect, such as the Are there other types of tinea infections? The medical name for ringworm is tinea corporis. The fungus causes a raised rash usually shaped like a ring, almost as if a worm was curled up under the skin (but again: no worms are involved). This generally harmless skin infection is caused by a fungus. Wash your hands well with soap and water after playing with pets.The first thing to know about ringworm is that there are no worms involved.Wash sports gear and uniforms as often as possible and don't share them.Use clean towels and avoid sharing clothing, towels, combs, brushes, and hats.Wash daily and dry completely, particularly after showering, swimming, and sweaty activities. But treatment might be needed for up to 3 months if the infection is more serious, or affects the nails or the scalp. Most mild cases of ringworm usually clear up in 2 to 4 weeks. Treat any other fungal infections, such as athlete's foot.Apply the antifungal cream, powder, or spray as directed on the label.(Use a separate clean towel for the rest of your body.) Wash and then dry the area with a clean towel.To help heal the skin, it's important to keep the affected area clean and dry. If not, the infection can come back and spread to other parts of the body. Use the medicine as long as is recommended, even if the rash seems to be getting better. An antifungal shampoo prescribed by the doctor can help prevent the spread to other people. Ringworm on the nails or scalp usually is treated with medicine taken by mouth for 1 to 3 months. More serious infections may need prescription medicine, either topical (put on skin) or in pill/syrup form. Over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal creams, sprays, or powders may solve a mild infection. Sometimes the doctor will scrape off a small sample of the flaky infected skin to look at under a microscope or to test in a laboratory. How Is Ringworm Diagnosed?Ī doctor can often diagnose ringworm just by looking at it and asking questions about the symptoms and your lifestyle. Minor skin injuries (such as scratches), too much exposure to heat and humidity, and some health conditions (such as diabetes, obesity, or immune system problems) can make a person more likely to get ringworm. It can also be passed on objects like combs, brushes, hats, towels, or clothing. That's why it's common in people who play contact sports such as wrestling. It can spread easily when people are in close physical contact. It thrives in warm, moist environments such as public showers, locker rooms, or pool areas. to other areas of the body if a person touches the affected area and then touches other body parts, such as the handsīesides spreading from person to person, ringworm can come from pets or other animals (usually cats, dogs, or rodents).from one person to another by skin-to-skin contact, especially in warm, damp environments.When the environment they live in gets warm and moist, they grow out of control and start to cause symptoms. Ringworm is caused by fungi that normally live on the skin, hair, and nails called dermatophytes (pronounced: der-MAH-tuh-fites). The nails may become thick, white or yellowish, and brittle. Ringworm on the nails may affect one or more nails on the hands or feet. When the scalp is infected, it can cause swollen lymph nodes at the back of the head or neck. Sometimes, it causes a pus-filled, boggy mass known as a kerion. It also can make the scalp swollen, tender, and red. It can make some hair fall out or break into stubble, leaving a bald spot. Ringworm on the scalp may start as a small sore that looks like a pimple before becoming patchy, flaky, or scaly. The skin may flake, peel, or crack, and it can itch, sting, burn, or feel uncomfortable. This ring pattern gave ringworm its name, but not every infected person has it. Over time, it may look like one or more rings with raised, bumpy, scaly borders (the center is often clear). Ringworm on the skin starts as a red, scaly patch or bump. What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Ringworm? On the nails it is known as onychomycosis. Its medical name is tinea capitis when it's on the scalp, and tinea corporis when it's on the rest of the body. When fungus grows in the area of the groin, upper thighs, and buttocks, it is called jock itch. When it grows on the feet, it is called athlete's foot.īut when fungus grows anywhere else on the body, it's known as ringworm. Fungal skin infections are also known as tinea infections. When fungi infect the skin, they cause mild but annoying rashes. Ringworm is a type of fungal skin infection.
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