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Ringworm may produce a ring pattern on the skin, or a red, itchy rash. If you're suffering from this fungal infection, How to Treat Ringworm will show you how to get rid of it and how to prevent ringworm from coming back.
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Ringworm Treating Tips
- Wear loose-fitting clothing and let your feet breathe. This reduces the risk of getting the infection.
- In order to avoid the infection spreading to other parts of the body, keep the infected area covered and protected.
- Start off your treatment by getting over-the-counter ointments and creams. If those don't work, see a doctor.
- Check your pets for hair loss. Oftentimes, it's the pets that are bringing home the infections.
- If you have a weak immune system, due to other diseases or disorders, see a doctor immediately.
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Treating Ringworm in Kids
This video examines ringworm as it affects children, discussing the ways it is spread, what it looks like, how it is diagnosed and the treatments that are used to get rid of it. Ringworm is spread from child to child, through pets that may have it and in some cases, just by being outside. Because of its raised, ring-like appearance, there is a misconception that ringworm is an actual worm, but in actuality it is a fungus. Its appearance is usually red, round and raised above the skin and can often be itchy and painful. Diagnosis and treatment of ringworm, as explained in the video, is simple. A physician can usually diagnosis simply by looking at the skin, but can scrape skin samples onto a slide and look at them under a microscope if necessary. The treatment usually involves topical creams or ointments that can be purchased over the counter or by prescription, and are usually applied twice a day for two to four weeks.
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How is it caused?
- Ringworm, also known as tinea, is an infection of the skin caused by a fungus. The fungi that cause ringworm reside on the top layer of the skin and tend to grow in warm, moist areas. Ringworm is very contagious, easily spread in gyms and locker rooms through skin-to-skin contact and through sharing towels and sports equipment.WebMD: Ringworm of the skin
Step 1: Understand What You're Dealing With
- Before we proceed, you should know what you're dealing with. Here are some things to know about ringworm.
What are the different types?
- Depending on its location on your body, the ringworm may be known by a different name.EverydayHealth.com: What Is it? - Ringworm (Tinea) According to EverydayHealth the different types of ringworm, include:
- Ringworm of the scalp: This is most common among children. It causes hair loss in patches.
- Ringworm of the beard: Commonly known as barber's itch, this type of infection usually affects men who have bearded areas on the face and neck.
- Ringworm of the body: This is the most common type of ringworm, and involves non-hairy parts of the skin on the face, trunk, arms or legs.
- Ringworm of the groin: More commonly known as jock itch, this infection is typically found among men, causing red patches of the skin around the groin area.
- Ringworm of the foot: Another common form of ringworm, also known as athlete's foot, is an infection usually spread in gyms and locker rooms.EverydayHealth.com: What Is it? - Ringworm (Tinea)
Who is most at risk for getting ringworm?
- Ringworm spreads in many ways, but your chances of getting ringworm are higher in the following cases:
- According to RevolutionHealth.com, since ringworm is pretty contagious, if you come into direct skin-to-skin contact with someone who is already infected, you'll get infected as well.RevolutionHealth: Ringworm of the Skin
- If you have a pet that's infected, you have a greater chance of contracting the fungus, warns EverydayHealth.com.EverydayHealth.com: What Is it? - Ringworm (Tinea)
- WebMD says if you live in a warm and damp climate you are at greater risk.WebMD: Ringworm of the skin
- RevolutionHealth.com states if your immune system is impaired because of another disease, such as diabetes, AIDS or cancer than you have a higher chance of getting ringworm.RevolutionHealth: Ringworm of the Skin
- According to EverydayHealth.com, you have a higher risk if you often wear tight-fitting clothes.EverydayHealth.com: What Is it? - Ringworm (Tinea)
Step 2: Get a Diagnosis
- It's easy to mistake ringworm for a rash, or another type of infection. If you have the following symptoms, check with a doctor to make sure.
- Ringworm of the skin often produces ring-shaped patches that have red, wormlike edges, but that's not always the case. Sometimes it's simply a red and itchy rash, says RevolutionHealth.RevolutionHealth: Ringworm of the Skin
- WebMD says your skin gets thick, dry and scaly, and if the infection is on your hand, the fingers may be moist and have open sores.WebMD: Ringworm of the skin
- Ringworm of the scalp is easily identifiable in that it causes scaling of the scalp, and hair loss in patches, says EverydayHealth.EverydayHealth.com: What Is it? - Ringworm (Tinea)
- RevolutionHealth.com cautions that you may have ringworm if your rash develops blisters.RevolutionHealth: Ringworm of the Skin
- According to WebMD, you may have ringworm, if the rash gets worse when you're out in the sun.WebMD: Ringworm of the skin
Step 3: Treat the Infected Area
- For most cases, a cream, which can be bought without a prescription, is enough to clear up the rash, says WebMD. However, it's a good idea to see a doctor if the infection keeps coming back, or if the cream doesn't work.WebMD: Ringworm of the skin
Treating Yourself
- Some of the things you can do on your own include:
- According to RevolutionHealth, you can get over-the-counter creams or ointments, such as Micatin, Tinactin, Monistat-Derm, Lotrimin, or Lamisil.RevolutionHealth: Ringworm of the Skin
- If the creams don't work, WebMD says anti-fungal pills are also available.WebMD: Ringworm of the skin
Step 4: Prevention Tips
- Now that you know how to treat ringworm, it's time to learn how to stop ringworm before it starts. Here are some easy ways to prevent ringworm:
- When at home, take off your shoes and let your feet breathe, suggests FamilyDoctor.org.FamilyDoctor: Tinea Infections: Athlete's Foot, Jock Itch, and Ringworm
- EverydayHealth advises against sharing clothes, sports gear, towels or sheets.EverydayHealth.com: What Is it? - Ringworm (Tinea)
- FamilyDoctor.org says to always wear clean underwear and socks, especially if you live in a hot and humid climate.FamilyDoctor: Tinea Infections: Athlete's Foot, Jock Itch, and Ringworm
- WebMD suggests that if you get athlete's foot, always put on your socks before you put on your underwear, so that the infection doesn't spread from your feet to your groin.WebMD: Ringworm of the skin
- RevolutionHealth suggests that to stop ringworm from coming back, use talcum powder on the affected area daily.RevolutionHealth: Ringworm of the Skin
- Check your pets for hair loss, advises FamilyDoctor.org.FamilyDoctor: Tinea Infections: Athlete's Foot, Jock Itch, and Ringworm
- Wear loose-fitting clothes, says EverydayHealth.EverydayHealth.com: What Is it? - Ringworm (Tinea)
Seeing a Doctor
- If ringworm isn't treated, it can cause blisters, which may cause a bacterial infection. If you get a bacterial infection, you may need a prescription antibiotic. See a doctor in the following cases:
- If the cream doesn't work, you'll need to ask your doctor for prescription medication, advises WebMD.WebMD: Ringworm of the skin
- RevolutionHealth recommends seeing a doctor if two weeks have passed and the infection doesn't show any signs of improvement.RevolutionHealth: Ringworm of the Skin
- If there is increased pain, swelling, redness or tenderness, WebMD suggests talking to your doctor.WebMD: Ringworm of the skin
- If there is pus in the infected area, RevolutionHealth.com says you need medical attention.RevolutionHealth: Ringworm of the Skin
- RevolutionHealth.com urges you to see your doctor, if you develop a high fever, because this is a sign of a bacterial infection.RevolutionHealth: Ringworm of the Skin
- WebMD recommends seeing a doctor, if the rash continues to spread.WebMD: Ringworm of the skin
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