Treatments for Ringworm

Ringworm is not caused by a worm, despite the rather ominous sounding name. Ringworm is actually a superficial fungal infection which usually involves the skin, but can also be found on fingernails. The medical term for a ringworm infection on the skin is tinea corporis. This fungal infection of the skin has distinct symptoms, and can be managed effectively with proper treatment.

The lesions associated with ringworm are often found on exposed areas of the body, such as the arms, hands, and face. It is not unusual to catch the ringworm fungus from cats, although exposure to a cat is not required in order to get a ringworm infection. Many parts of the body are susceptible to a ringworm infection. The scalp, feet, fingernails, skin around the groin, and even skin around under a beard, can all be infected by this fungus.

A ringworm infection will present as small ring-shaped lesions on the skin. These lesions will be round and have an outer border which is scaly. The center of the lesion often appears as somewhat normal skin (this is called central clearing). It is also possible for the lesions to appear as a series of scaly patches. Hyperpigmentation of the skin is also possible. Ringworm infections can be very itchy.

In order to treat a ringworm infection properly, it must be differentiated from other causes of lesions on the skin. Other possible causes of lesions which could resemble a ringworm infection include psoriasis, syphilis, rosacea, and some pigmentation associated with lupus. Your doctor can take a small scraping of the lesion to determine if in fact it is fungal in nature.

Treatments

Once a fungal infection of the skin has been identified, there are many effective treatments available to solve the problem. Most of these treatments involve topical antifungal creams. The most common of these creams include clotimazole, miconazole, or ketoconazole.

Clothing and towels used by a person should be cleaned carefully in order to prevent the spread of the fungus to other people or parts of your own body. Skin which is infected should be kept as dry as possible. Fungi love to grow in warm moist environments.

If your scalp is infected, you should wash your hair daily. Some people, particularly men, will choose to cut their hair very short in order to deprive the fungus a warm, dark, and moist environment to grow in.

Infected fingernails should be cut short and cleaned regularly.

Feet that are infected with ringworm should be kept as open to the air as possible. Be sure to keep your feet dry. Wear sandals or shoes without socks as much as possible until the infection is cured.

Depending on the severity of the fungal infection, it can take up to several weeks to clear. Treatment should be continued for one to two weeks after the lesions have disappeared, in order to prevent a recurrence of the fungal infection. It is possible for the fungus to remain on the skin in a subclinical state even after the symptoms are no longer visible.

If you suspect you may have a ringworm infection, speak with your doctor. Ringworm infections are easily dealt with and are not generally considered an emergency. However, they can be quite itchy and frustrating to deal with, not to mention unsightly. Because of this, it is always nice to have it taken care of as soon as possible.