Ringworms Symptoms and Causes
What are Ringworms?
Ringworms are often mistakenly caused by a worm. However, contrary to its name, ringworms are fungal infection of the skin. Ringworms contagious and could affect any part of the body. It is characterized by reddish to brownish bumpy patch of skin. Ringworms could be lighter at the center that seems to appear like a ring.
The fungi that cause ringworms are feed on keratin that is present in the outer layer of the skin, hair and nails.
. The fungi could easily thrive and live in a moist skin, hot and hidden from light.
Transmission of Ringworms
Ringworms are common skin disease that attacks all walks of life regardless of age and race. Ringworms are very common especially among children who have a very active lifestyle. Their sweat as they play outside could moist the skin and make it vulnerable to fungi attacks.
Ringworms could be easily transmitted through skin to skin contact and contaminated items such as hairbrushes, slippers, shoes and socks. Ringworms does not only exist in humans but ringworms also a very common disease among domestic animals like dogs, cats and farm animals. Human can contact the fungi that cause ringworm from these animals. Chicken is one of the most susceptible sources of ringworms because it stays in dirty and moist environment.
Those suffering from eczema and other skin problems are more likely to catch ringworms too because their skin’s outer later in no longer intact.
Types of Ringworms
Many species of fungi causes ringworms. However, the most common these are the dermathophytes, which could attack various parts of the body. Tinea pedis affects the feet. This is commonly called as athlete’s food. More than it cause the feet to become itchy, it also gives the feet foul odor. Tinea unguinum attacks the fingernails and toenails. This kind seems to eat the nails. Tinea corposis is responsible for the arms, legs and trunk. Tinea crusis, also known as jock itch, is found in the groin area. Tinea manatum affects the hands and palms. Tinea capitis, which is often mistaken as dandruff, affects the scalp.
Ringworm Signs and Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of ringworms are physically visible. When there is already an appearance of one or more itchy patches in the skin with define edges most likely these are ringworms. Ringworms are different with rashes or other patches like those caused by insect bites. Ringworms patches appear like rings because they have lighter centers. When they are found in the nails, usually the nails discolor, thicken and fall.
As part of diagnosis, doctors may take skin scrapping or examine plucked hairs for traces of fungi. Fungi are very tiny beings so they are examined under the help of microscope. However, there are kind of fungi that fluoresce under a black light.
Skin lesions are also signs of the presence of ringworms infection. These lesions are called dermatophytids.
Prevention of Ringworms Infection
Fungi like to thrive in moist areas like locker rooms, swimming pools and skin folds. The prevention of ringworms infection is better than waiting for its attack then curing it. Some of the prevention tips are as follows: Avoid sharing of clothing, always wear slippers especially in moist areas, avoid skin to skin contacts or shower with antifungal soap after a contact sports, dry your feet first before wearing socks and avoid contacts with pets that stay in dirty areas of the house.
Learn More with Additional Resources on Ringworm:
- Ringworm on Body
- Ringworm Treatment Products
- Risk Factors of Ringworm
- Ringworm Overview
- Ringworm on Scalp
Facts About Ringworm
- Ringworm symptoms – Learn about the symptoms of ringworm.
- Ringworm in children – Ringworn most often affects children, but can affect people of all ages.
- Ringworm causes – Learn about the causes of ringworm.
- Ringworm is a common fungal infection of the skin also be referred to as dermatophyte infection.
- Ringworm is a term that is commonly used to encompass several types of fungalinfection.
About Ringworm Video
Ringworms Prevention
Treatment For Ringworms
Use Ringworm Medicine Pack – Mild Cases for treatment of ringworms. Most Popular! The All Stop Ringworm Pack is the perfect solution for people with only a few small Ringworm sores. It soothes and repairs the skin, while it stops the spread of Ringworm. The long-lasting All Stop Ringworm Pack provides up to a full 12 hours of relief. Safe for use on small children and varying skin types and body parts.
Interesting Facts
- Another common and effectivetreatment for ringwormis tea tree oil.
- Pet ringworm treatmentmay include the topical cream to the oral and can be expensive, not to mention the numerous possible negative effects.
- Ringworm in humans can be seen as red circular rashes with healthy skin in the middle.
- Athlete’s foot does not show up with the same red ring rashes and it is easy to treat with over the counter medication.
- Ringworm in humansman infests as a severely itchy skin rash that can be very hard to treat.
- To prevent the spread of ringworm, athlete’s foot, jock itch and yeast fungal skin infection, personal hygiene is very important.
Associated Web Sites
- http://petsbestrx.com/pet-ringworm-news/
- http://www.petvet1.com/
