Symptoms and Causes of Ringworms

Author: Rajat Ziffytech

Ringworms are rashes caused by a fungal infection. Ringworm is a common skin infection with a circular rash and is usually red and itchy. We also call ringworms, tinea, or dermatophytosis.

Ringworms is a contagious fungal condition. It spread from skin to skin contact with an infected animal or person. Mild ringworm usually responds to antifungal medication that you can apply to the affected area. For severe cases of ringworms, they may prescribe you antifungal medication.

Symptoms

Ringworm can affect any part of your skin as well as toenails and fingernails. The symptoms of the ringworm depend on the location of the infection. Typical symptoms of ringworms are:-

  • A scaly ring-shaped area with cracked skin.
  • Itchy skin.
  • A clear area inside the ring that may contain a few bumps.
  • Raised patch defined with expanding rings.
  • Overlapping rings.

Different types of Ringworms are:-

  • Tinea corporate is the most common type of Ringworms and affects the skin on the body.
  • Tinea capitis is the fungal infection on the scalp. The infection resembles a bald spot. The size of the infection may grow, or you may have several bald spots as the infection spreads. Tinea capitis is more common in children than in adults.
  • Tinea pedis or athlete’s foot is an infection on the foot. Symptoms of Athlete’s foot are red, swollen, peeling, and itchy skin between the toes. The sole and heel can also get infected. We see blistering is severe cases.
  • Tinea Curtis or jock itch is a fungal infection in the groin. The rash looks like scaly, itchy, and red spots on the inner side of the folds of the thigh.
  • Tinea barbae is a fungal infection in the beard and includes scaly, itchy, and red spots on the cheeks, chin, and upper neck. The spots may ooze pus and affected hair may fall out.

Book a dermatologist in Pune does not improve after two weeks of using over the counter antifungal medication.

Causes

Ringworms is an infectious fungal condition caused by a mold-like parasite that lives on cells in the outer layer of your skin. The infection can spread in the following wars:-

  • Human to human contact: Ringworms can spread when you have direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected person.
  • Human to animal contact: You can get ringworm when you touch an animal with ringworm infection.
  • Object to human contact: Ringworms can spread you use an object that an infected person or animal has touched. E.g. comb, towel, bedding, etc.
  • Environmental contact: Ringworms can spread when you use public showers or locker rooms.

Diagnosis

The best dermatologist in Pune will diagnose the condition by looking at your infected skin. They may take some scrapping from your skin to observe it under the microscope for fungal culture.

Treatment

The best dermatologist in Pune may prescribe stronger antifungal creams, lotions, or ointments. If the infection is very severe, they may prescribe anti-fungal medication.

Prevention

We can prevent ringworms if we:-

  • Keep our skin clean and dry.
  • Wear shoes that allow air to circulate freely around our feet.
  • Don’t walk barefoot into public showers.
  • Keep our fingernails and toenails short and clean.
  • Avoid sharing towels, clothing or other personal items.
  • Wash our hands and feet thoroughly after playing with pets. Take the pet to the vet if we suspect the animal is infected with ringworms.