Ring Worm

What is a ring worm? Tinea, also called ring worm, is a fungal infection of the skin. It is mildly contagious and can appear on any part of the body. It is a very common infection, usually found in children and people who play physical sports like wrestling, which can be spread by both direct skin contact and by sharing certain items like clothes or hair brushes with someone that is infected.

Patients with ring worm are contagious even before the symptoms appear which makes difficult to isolate the infection focus and prevent spread. As most fungal infections, ring worm can jump the inter-species barrier and is able to equally infect animals and humans. Ring worms can be called different names, depending of the area of the body where it appears. For instance, when the infection takes place in the feet, it’s called “athlete’s foot”.

Causes Of Ring Worm

The causing agent of ring worm is a fungus named Tinea Capitis. This fungus feeds on keratin, which can be found in the exterior layers of the skin, on the nails and on the outer layers of the hair. As most fungi, it prefers moist environments that are hot and dark.

Cats, dogs and almost every animal (with the exception of reptiles) can be infected. Due to their domestic nature, infected pets are common sources of this disease. As with humans, infection can be caught by direct contact with an infected pet, or just by being into places where the animal has been.

It is interesting to know that some people are more likely to catch ring worm than others. This may have to do with the fact that some people have thicker protective barriers on the skin, but the truth is that everyone can get ring worm.

Symptoms Of Ring Worm

Ring worm is characterized by a dark, reddish bumpy patch on the skin, which is usually lighter in the center area, giving the illusion of a ring-shaped lesion. As the infection progresses into inner layers of the skin, the itch increases and can be very intense on certain people. Also, when the fungal infection takes place on the scalp it can cause massive loss of hair, so it should be treated thoroughly.

Treatment Of Ring Worm

Treatment against ring worm may take several weeks. It consists on applying an antifungal cream or ointment on a regular basis. If the infection is present under the nails or on the head, topical antifungal medicines should be complemented with oral medicines, and the treatment may take even more time. Treatment must continue after one or two weeks since the symptoms disappear, to effectively eliminate the fungal agent.

Prevention Of Ring Worm

As the infectious agent is able to spread with relative ease, ring worm may be difficult to prevent. As a general rule, keeping an eye on your pet’s health is a good idea. Also, regular visits to your dermatologist can reduce the risk of catching ring worm.

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