How does ringworm spread. What are the common symptoms of ringworm. Who is at higher risk of contracting ringworm. How can ringworm be effectively treated. What precautions should be taken to prevent ringworm transmission.

Understanding Ringworm: A Common Fungal Infection

Ringworm, despite its misleading name, is not caused by any worm but by a fungus. Medically known as tinea corporis, this skin condition is characterized by its distinctive ring-shaped rash. The infection affects the outer layers of skin, hair, and nails, causing itchy, scaly patches that can be uncomfortable and unsightly.

The fungus responsible for ringworm thrives in warm, moist environments, making it a common problem in tropical climates and among individuals who frequently engage in activities that cause excessive sweating. Understanding the nature of this infection is crucial for effective prevention and treatment.

Recognizing Ringworm: Key Symptoms and Appearance

Identifying ringworm early can lead to faster treatment and reduce the risk of spreading the infection. The most notable symptoms include:

• A ring-shaped rash with a raised, scaly border
• Skin that appears red, irritated, or scaly within the ring
• Itching or burning sensation in the affected area
• Hair loss if the scalp or beard area is infected
• Scattered bumps that may be red, purple, brown, or gray
• Flat, round patches that may overlap

The appearance of ringworm can vary depending on the location of the infection and the individual’s skin type. In some cases, the center of the rash may appear clearer, giving it a more pronounced ring-like shape.

Does ringworm always form a perfect circle?

While the classic appearance of ringworm is a circular rash, it doesn’t always form a perfect circle. The rash can be irregularly shaped, especially if multiple rings overlap or if the infection is in an area where skin folds or moves frequently.

Transmission Routes: How Ringworm Spreads

Ringworm is highly contagious and can spread through various means. Understanding these transmission routes is essential for preventing the spread of the infection:

1. Direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected person or animal
2. Contact with contaminated surfaces or objects
3. Exposure to infected soil
4. Sharing personal items like clothing, towels, or bedding

The fungus that causes ringworm can survive on surfaces for extended periods, making it easy for the infection to spread in communal areas such as locker rooms, swimming pools, and shared living spaces.

Can ringworm spread through the air?

Ringworm does not spread through the air. The fungal spores responsible for the infection require direct contact with skin or contaminated surfaces to cause an infection. However, the ease with which these spores can attach to various surfaces makes the infection highly transmissible in shared environments.

High-Risk Groups: Who’s More Susceptible to Ringworm?

While anyone can contract ringworm, certain factors can increase an individual’s risk of infection:

• Compromised immune system due to conditions like HIV/AIDS or medications that suppress the immune response
• Living in warm, humid climates where the fungus thrives
• Participating in contact sports like wrestling or football
• Frequent use of public facilities such as swimming pools or gyms
• Close contact with animals, particularly cats and dogs
• Poor hygiene practices or excessive sweating

Understanding these risk factors can help individuals take appropriate precautions to minimize their chances of contracting ringworm.

Are children more likely to get ringworm than adults?

Children are indeed more susceptible to ringworm infections compared to adults. This increased risk is due to several factors, including their tendency to have closer physical contact with others during play, less developed hygiene habits, and a still-developing immune system. Additionally, children are more likely to come into contact with infected animals or contaminated soil during outdoor activities.

Diagnosis and Treatment: Combating Ringworm Effectively

Diagnosing ringworm is typically straightforward due to its distinctive appearance. However, in some cases, a healthcare provider may perform additional tests such as a skin scraping or fungal culture to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment for ringworm varies depending on the severity and location of the infection:

• Over-the-counter antifungal creams (e.g., clotrimazole, terbinafine) for mild cases
• Prescription-strength topical medications for more persistent infections
• Oral antifungal medications for severe cases or infections affecting the scalp or nails
• Proper hygiene and keeping the affected area clean and dry

It’s important to continue treatment for the full prescribed duration, even if symptoms improve, to ensure complete eradication of the fungus.

How long does it take for ringworm to clear up with treatment?

The duration of ringworm treatment can vary, but typically, with proper treatment, symptoms begin to improve within 2-4 weeks. However, it’s crucial to continue treatment as directed, which may be for several weeks beyond symptom improvement. This extended treatment period ensures that all fungal spores are eliminated, reducing the risk of recurrence or transmission.

Prevention Strategies: Minimizing Ringworm Risk

Preventing ringworm involves a combination of good hygiene practices and awareness of potential transmission sources:

• Wash hands thoroughly and regularly, especially after contact with animals
• Keep skin clean and dry, particularly in areas prone to sweating
• Avoid walking barefoot in public areas like locker rooms or pool decks
• Don’t share personal items such as clothing, towels, or hairbrushes
• Regularly clean and disinfect shared surfaces and equipment in gyms or sports facilities
• Wear breathable, moisture-wicking clothing during physical activities
• Promptly treat any pets showing signs of skin infections

By implementing these preventive measures, individuals can significantly reduce their risk of contracting or spreading ringworm.

Can regular use of antifungal powders prevent ringworm?

While antifungal powders can be beneficial in preventing fungal infections, including ringworm, their regular use is not typically necessary for most individuals. These products can be helpful in specific situations, such as for athletes or in hot, humid environments where fungal growth is more likely. However, good hygiene practices and proper skin care are generally sufficient for prevention in most cases.

The Impact of Climate: Ringworm in Different Environments

The prevalence and persistence of ringworm can vary significantly depending on climatic conditions. Warm, humid environments provide ideal conditions for fungal growth, making ringworm more common in tropical and subtropical regions.

In these climates, the risk of infection is heightened due to:

• Increased sweating, which creates moist conditions on the skin
• Longer survival of fungal spores on surfaces
• Greater likelihood of skin-to-skin contact due to lighter clothing
• Higher prevalence of the fungus in soil and on animals

Conversely, in cooler, drier climates, the risk of ringworm may be lower, but the infection can still occur, particularly in settings where close contact or shared facilities are common.

Does ringworm occur more frequently during certain seasons?

While ringworm can occur year-round, there is often an increase in cases during warmer months. This seasonal variation is attributed to factors such as increased sweating, more skin exposure, and higher participation in outdoor activities that may lead to contact with contaminated soil or animals. Additionally, the use of public pools and beaches during summer months can contribute to a higher incidence of ringworm infections.

Ringworm in Animals: A Source of Human Infection

Animals play a significant role in the transmission of ringworm to humans. Pets, particularly cats and dogs, can be carriers of the fungus without showing obvious symptoms. This makes them potential sources of infection for their human companions.

Key points about ringworm in animals include:

• Cats are more commonly affected than dogs and can be asymptomatic carriers
• Farm animals, including cows and horses, can also transmit ringworm to humans
• Symptoms in animals may include circular patches of hair loss and scaly skin
• Regular grooming and veterinary check-ups can help detect and prevent ringworm in pets

When adopting a new pet or if an existing pet shows signs of skin issues, it’s important to have them checked by a veterinarian to prevent potential transmission to humans.

Can wild animals transmit ringworm to humans?

While less common, wild animals can indeed transmit ringworm to humans. This is particularly true for individuals who have frequent contact with wildlife, such as wildlife rehabilitators or researchers. Small mammals like rodents and rabbits can carry the fungus, as can larger animals like deer. However, the risk of contracting ringworm from wild animals is generally lower compared to domestic pets due to less frequent and close contact.

Understanding the various aspects of ringworm, from its causes and symptoms to prevention and treatment, is crucial for effectively managing this common fungal infection. By staying informed and taking appropriate precautions, individuals can minimize their risk of contracting ringworm and prevent its spread to others. Remember, while ringworm is typically not a serious condition, prompt treatment and good hygiene practices are key to quick recovery and prevention of recurrence.

How Do You Get Ringworm? Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

• You can get ringworm via contact with an infected person, contaminated soil, or an infected animal.
• You can also contract ringworm from contact with a contaminated object, such as shared gym equipment.
• You may be more at risk if you are immunocompromised or play sports with a lot of skin contact. 

While ringworm might sound like a condition caused by a worm or parasite, it is actually caused by a fungus. The condition is also called tinea corporis, and it is characterized by an itchy ring-shaped rash that may look more clear in the center with a defined border. 

Other symptoms include:

• Scattered bumps that may be red, purple, brown, or gray
• Flat round patches 
• Ring-shaped rashes that overlap  

The appearance of ringworm is very distinct and relatively easy to identify. The rash is common, and it is often easily treatable with over-the-counter creams if the infection is mild. 

Here are common ways you can contract ringworm, risk factors for getting it, and treatment options. 

Ways you can contract ringworm

This fungal infection is typically spread through direct contact between the fungus and the skin, says Jason Miller MD, board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group. Miller says some ways you can contract ringworm are coming into contact with:

• An infected person
• An infected animal (usually dogs or cats)
• Contaminated soil
• A contaminated object

Commonly contaminated objects are yoga mats or other pieces of gym equipment that your skin may have prolonged contact with, since the fungus from the skin can transfer to the objects, says Hadley King MD, board-certified dermatologist and clinical instructor of dermatology at the Weill Cornell Medical College, Cornell University.

Risk factors for ringworm

While anybody can contract ringworm, King says some groups of people are more likely to get it including:

• People with a compromised immune system
• People who live in warmer climates
• People who participate in sports with a lot of skin-to-skin contact, such as wrestling  

Furthermore, you may want to be careful about sharing towels, clothing, or bedding with people who might have an underlying fungal infection, as this can be a risk factor too, says Miller.

Treatment for ringworm

The course of treatment for ringworm will depend on the severity of the infection. For example, Miller says small, localized areas of infected skin may respond well to topical antifungal creams such as clotrimazole or terbinafine, both of which are available over the counter. 

However, if the rash is not responding to this type of treatment, King says you should see a board-certified dermatologist, who can confirm the diagnosis and offer prescription options, such as a prescription-strength cream. Or, in more serious cases where the fungal infection has gone deeper into the skin and affected the hair follicles, King says oral antifungal medications may be needed.

Insider’s takeaway 

There are various ways you can contract ringworm, including an infected person, animal, contaminated soil, or a contaminated object. If you think that you have ringworm, you may be able to self-diagnose and self-treat it. 

However, if the rash and discomfort won’t go away with over-the-counter treatments, be sure to see your dermatologist to get a correct diagnosis and determine the best course of treatment to get you feeling better.

Ashley Laderer

Ashley Laderer is a freelance writer from New York who specializes in health and wellness. Follow her on Twitter @ashladerer

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How Long Is Ringworm Contagious If Treated vs. Untreated?

Ringworm is highly contagious. You may be contagious for 1-2 weeks before signs appear. The condition is then contagious until all the spores are eliminated from your skin, which could take several weeks or even months with treatment.

Ringworm (tinea corporis) is an infection of the skin caused by tiny fungus spores that reproduce in the dead outer layers of your skin. It’s contagious as long as any spores are alive. This means it can spread on contact to other parts of your body, or to other people, even when you’re being treated.

While ringworm may clear up on its own, there’s no set timetable for this. It’s best to seek treatment.

Several different species of fungus can cause tinea.

The name ringworm comes from the circular, ring-like appearance of the red, itchy spots that tinea causes on the skin of your trunk or extremities. Tinea can cause infections on other parts of the body, but then it often doesn’t have the same appearance as ringworm.

Ringworm is highly contagious, and it spreads easily from person to person (and even from animal to person).

Athlete’s foot (tinea pedis) and jock itch (tinea cruris) are caused by the same organism as ringworm. It’s called ringworm when it appears on other parts of your body.

The feet and the crotch area provide a warm, moist environment for the microscopic fungal spores, known as dermatophytes, to live and reproduce. Their food supply is the protein, or keratin, that is found in your skin, especially the dead outer layers.

Athlete’s foot is often spread in showers and locker rooms because the fungal spores can live and reproduce in puddles and wet spots, especially when the water is warm.

Once the fungus has infected your feet, you can spread it to other parts of your own body by touching.

Sharing towels, clothing, and bedding can spread it from person to person.

Ringworm and pets

You can also catch ringworm from an infected pet, though this is less common. But the species of fungi that causes ringworm in pets is different from those common among humans. These fungi may sometimes be transferred to a person in close contact with the pet, but the ringworm is not as likely to spread from that person to another.

Microsporum canis (M. canis) is the most common form of ringworm in pets. Cats and dogs can both carry it, but cats are considered the most important hosts. It’s also regularly found on horses and rabbits. Long-haired breeds such as Persian cats and Yorkshire terriers are reported to be more susceptible.

Both humans and animals can be carriers without showing symptoms of ringworm infection.

The incubation period for ringworm in humans is usually one to two weeks. Because the fungal spores are present before you see the ringworm outbreak, you can catch it from someone even before it shows up on them.

There are also some people and animals who can have ringworm but show no symptoms. They can still transfer the ringworm to you.

M. canis, the common cause of ringworm in pets, can be seen under an ultraviolet light (black light). Under an ultraviolet light, it may appear on the fur within seven days of exposure. But it takes two to four weeks for the symptoms to show up on the animal’s skin. During that time, your pet may be infectious without your seeing any symptoms.

As long as the fungal spores are present in the skin, the ringworm can be spread from person to person, or animal to person. You don’t stop being contagious when you start using antifungal medication. However, once you start treatment, if you cover the lesions you can significantly decrease the risk of spreading them to others.

The condition is contagious until all the spores are eliminated from your skin. It’s difficult even for a doctor to know when all of the fungal spores have been killed.

The fungal spores can also stay alive on clothing, bedding, and elsewhere as long as their food supply (dead skin cells) is present, and they have a moist and warm environment. Spores can live for as long as 12 to 20 months in the right environment.

There’s no set time limit for a ringworm infection. Without treatment, it may go away on its own in a matter of months in a healthy person. Or it may not.

Ringworm on the body is usually treated with a topical ointment such as terbinafine. A four-week course is common, but the time can vary.

With treatment, a ringworm infection on a part of the body without hair (glabrous skin) is likely to clear up within two to four weeks of the start of treatment.

More serious cases, and infections in the scalp, can require oral antifungal pills. In this case, too, you’re contagious until all the fungal spores are eliminated.

The standard treatment for ringworm is a topical antifungal preparation, such as terbanifine (Lamisil AT).

In more serious cases, your doctor may prescribe an oral antifungal, such as terbanafine, itraconazole (Sporanox, Orungal), or fluconazole (Diflucan, Celozole).

Maintaining good general hygiene is the best prevention against ringworm. Ringworm often spreads from your feet or groin area, so preventing athlete’s foot and jock itch can be a first line of defense.

Some tips:

• Always wear protective footwear in public showers, locker rooms, and pool areas.
• Dry carefully after showering, especially your toes and groin area.
• Wear cotton underwear.
• Never share towels, clothing, or bedding.
• Avoid skin contact with children and pets who may be infected.

Microsporia or “ringworm”. – BU “Nizhnevartovsk Dermatovenerological Dispensary

Thursday,
31
January
2019

Microsporia is a fungal disease that affects the skin and hair. The name of this fungal disease comes from the name of its causative agent – a fungus of the genus Microsporum. The disease is also known as “ringworm”, which is due to the peculiarities of its manifestation.

Microsporia is the most common fungal infection outside of foot fungus. The disease is ubiquitous. Microsporia is highly contagious, mainly children are ill. It is they who most often take care of stray cats and dogs, not knowing that these animals are carriers of a fungus that causes a contagious skin disease. Microsporia is characterized by seasonality. Peaks in the incidence of microsporia are observed in May-June and in September-November.

Over the past year, 97 cases of microsporia were registered in Nizhnevartovsk, of which children accounted for 67%, in 2015 – 64 cases, of which children – 73%.

Adults get sick less often. The rarity of microsporia in adults, especially with lesions of the scalp, is associated with the presence of organic acids in the skin and its appendages that slow down the growth of the fungus.

The main source of the disease is cats (usually kittens), less often dogs. Infection with microsporia occurs by direct contact with a sick animal or objects infected with wool or scales. In animals, microsporia manifests itself in the form of scaly spots with broken hair on the head, ears or paws. However, it also happens that outwardly the animal looks healthy, but is a carrier of the fungus. And only during a special examination in such animals are groups of affected hairs found on the eyebrows, mustaches, eyelashes, and ears.

In people, signs of the disease appear one to two weeks after infection. In a sick child appears single or multiple round red spots with a roller along the edges. On the scalp, the formation of one or more foci up to 1-2 centimeters in diameter is characteristic. Usually, the hair in the foci is broken off and protrudes 4-5 mm above the skin level, they look as if trimmed, which is why microsporia is often called ringworm. The lesions are covered with a significant amount of grayish-white scales.

If you suspect microsporia, you should immediately consult a doctor. It is forbidden to lubricate the rashes with iodine, brilliant green or ointments on your own, as this will further complicate the diagnosis. Suspicious lesions on the head and skin should be sealed with adhesive tape.

Prophylaxis

Microsporia can be prevented only by observing the rules of personal hygiene. Children from early childhood should be taught to observe the cleanliness of the body and home. You can not use other people’s combs, hats, linen.

After a haircut at the barbershop, it is advisable to wash your hair at home with hot water and soap. Do not allow children to play with stray animals or bring them into the house. It is better to get a cat or dog for your child, but first make sure that the animal is healthy, check it in a veterinary clinic and make the necessary vaccinations.

The child should remember that after playing with pets or walking, you need to wash your face and hands with soap and water.

The child is admitted to school or kindergarten after the complete disappearance of the signs of the disease and receiving three negative test results for the fungus.

If there is a patient with microsporia in the house .

The fungus can be transmitted through contaminated items, so do not allow other family members to use the patient’s personal hygiene items. Since the fungus can be spread by contact, make sure that healthy children do not come into contact with sick children.

K.A. Sukhanova – dermatovenereologist BU “Nizhnevartovsk dermatovenerological

dispensary»

what to treat, what it looks like, symptoms

THERE ARE CONTRAINDICATIONS. POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS. A SPECIALIST’S CONSULTATION IS NECESSARY. Skin fungus Lichen Ointment

Author of the article

Olga Makushnikova,

Medical journalist

All authors

Content of the article

• How ringworm is transmitted
• How ringworm manifests itself and its symptoms
• Diagnosis of trichophytosis
• Ringworm in humans and its treatment, what drugs will help
• Ask an expert on the topic of the article
• Sources

Ringworm – catching this disease is much easier than many people think. You can get it after contact with a sick animal or person, as well as using other people’s household items, on which there were spores of the pathogen. The diagnosis in this case will sound differently: trichophytosis. Ringworm is an unscientific name for this pathology.

Trichophytosis – one of the varieties of dermatomycosis – fungal skin diseases. Its pathogens are microscopic fungi of the genus Trichophyton . They can settle both on the scalp and on any other part of the skin, less often on the nails.

How ringworm is transmitted

Ringworm is more common in children and adolescents. In most cases, infection occurs during contact with a sick animal, primarily cats. In dogs, this disease is less common. Farm animals can also become a source of infection. Moreover, outbreaks of dermatomycosis in cattle occur more often in winter.

Trichophytosis is also transmitted from person to person. To do this, it is enough to use the patient’s comb or towel, lie down on his pillow, or try on a hat on which the spores of the fungus remain. There is also a certain risk of infection when visiting a hairdresser if employees are not too attentive to the processing of their tools.

Upon contact with the skin or scalp, pathogenic fungi actively multiply, form mycelium, affecting both the skin and its appendages. The most susceptible to infection are people with weak immunity and endocrine disorders.

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How does ringworm and its symptoms

The first symptoms of trichophytosis usually appear no earlier than a week later. In some cases, the incubation period is delayed by 1-1.5 months. Manifestations can be different, depending on the form and localization of the pathological process. The disease is usually more aggressive if the infection came from an animal rather than a person.

The mildest form of the disease is superficial. Ringworm can be localized on the head, or rather on its scalp and any, as a rule, open parts of the body.

If pathogenic fungi have invaded the hair growth zone, first single ones are formed, and as the disease develops, multiple scaly inflammatory foci are formed. They can be large or small. Grayish scales give them a whitish appearance. Sometimes bubbles and crusts form along the edges of the affected area. The hair in this place becomes duller, twists and breaks off almost at the very base. The “stumps” formed in this case are considered a characteristic diagnostic sign.

If superficial ringworm appears on smooth skin, well-defined red spots of a round or oval shape are found. Peeling is noticeable in the very center, while it is somewhat paler than the edges of the affected area, on which nodules, vesicles and crusts are found. In this case, the foci of trichophytosis tend to merge.

Superficial anthroponous (transmitted from person to person) trichophytosis in the absence of timely treatment can become chronic.

If the patient is infected from a sick animal (zooanthroponic trichophytosis), the superficial form often becomes more severe infiltrative, but the chronic variant in this case is quite rare.

The transition of the disease to the infiltrative form is said to occur when a painful convex reddish-bluish infiltrate appears on the scalp. If there are several such foci, they can merge. Their surface is often ulcerated, along the perimeter a roller of small vesicles and crusts is formed. Pus forms in the hair follicles in the affected area. With an infiltrative-suppurative form, fluffy hairs also suffer.

An even more severe form is suppurative. Often it is accompanied by fever, headache and other symptoms of intoxication, as well as an increase in regional lymph nodes. An abscess can become a complication of this form of trichophytosis.

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Diagnosis of trichophytosis

A dermatologist deals with the diagnosis and treatment of trichophytosis. The diagnosis is made on the basis of examination data and the results of a study of scrapings from the affected areas. Differentiate trichophytosis with microsporia, psoriasis, seborrhea and a number of other diseases. In the most difficult cases, a consultation with a mycologist may be recommended.

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Ringworm in humans and its treatment, which drugs will help

In mild cases, to get rid of trichophytosis, it is enough to use external antifungal drugs according to the scheme recommended by the doctor. If there are many lesions, vellus hairs are also involved in the process, and if the scalp is affected by fungi, an integrated approach is required, including both external and systemic antifungal agents.

Combined hormone-containing preparations are prescribed for severe inflammation. With infiltrative-suppurative form, antiseptics and anti-inflammatory drugs are also included in the treatment regimen, and at the resolution stage, absorbable ointments.

Hair in lesions is recommended to be shaved every one to one and a half weeks.

Treatment is carried out until the symptoms of the disease disappear and a negative result of microscopic examination is obtained. Next, the patient is taken under dispensary observation for 1 month with trichophytosis of smooth skin and for 3 months with a fungal infection of the scalp. These measures are designed not to miss the possible occurrence of relapse.

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