Even today, there are many people who are confused about ringworm disease. There are still assumptions and misconceptions. So for once, let me help you take away all those confusions. Here are some of the truths, lies, an facts about ringworm.
The Truths.
These are the known truths about ringworm. I did some research, collected the information, and made them into a list that people would easily understand:
• Ringworm disease can be easily spread. It is contagious.
• You can get ringworm through: (1) direct skin to skin contact with an infected individual; (2) direct contact with an infected animal like cats, dogs, and other domestic animals; (3) indirect contact -this is when you come in contact with a contaminated object like combs, brushes, towels, undergarments, and shoes; (4) soil to human transmission.
• There are eight basic types of ringworm; it can affect different parts of your body. They are: (1) tinea capitis (scalp); (2) tinea faciei (face); (3) tinea barbae (beard); (4) tinea corporis (body); (5) tinea cruris (groin); (6) tinea mauum (hands); (7) tinea pedis (feet); and (8) tinea unguium (nails).
• The classic sign of ringworm is a rash that is incredibly itchy. It has red edges that are elevated; sometimes it is crusty. The center of the rash is shiny or scaly -this gives a ring-shaped appearance on the skin.
• The signs are different in tinea unguium. The infection makes the nail yellow, thick, and brittle. Sometimes, the nails can be detached on the nail bed.
The Facts.
These are facts about ringworm:
• Barber's Itch, Jock Itch, and Athlete's Foot are ringworm. They are tinea barbae, tinea cruris, and tinea pedis respectively.
• Ringworm disease thrives on warm and moist environments.
• People who have high risks of getting this infection are: immune compromised individual, children, and people living in hot places.
• According to studies conducted, more boys get ringworm disease than girls.
• Other types of ringworm are: tinea imbricata (overlapping patches); tinea profunda (ringworm with abscess); tinea axillaris (ringworm on the armpits); and tinea vericolor (ringworm that cause the affected area to change its color).
• Ringworm infection can easily be treated. Although the treatment plan for ringworm is a long process, it can easily be cured using antifungal creams. You just have to continue using it even after the symptoms are gone.
• Common antifungal mediations for ringworm are: Ketoconazole, miconazole, selenium sulfide, and clotrimazole.
The Lies.
These are wrong assumptions about ringworm disease:
• Ringworm caused by worms. Actually, it is caused by fungi.
• Fungal nails can be mistaken for other conditions. These symptoms do not indicate nail ringworm: lines and ridges on the nail (these are just normal); whitish nails; red or black nails (this is due to the blood collected under the nails from trauma); green nails (this is caused by bacteria); pitted nails; swelling and redness surrounding the nails.
• Athlete's foot (tinea pedis) is exclusive only to athletes. Same goes with Barber's itch (tinea barbae) and Jock itch (tinea cruris) .These are all lies; they can be acquired by anyone.
• You can get tinea capitis by using pomades and hair products. Again, lies.
• Ringworm disease is not contagious. This is wrong. This infection is easily spread.
• Only children can suffer from ringworm of the scalp. This is not true. Although there is a high rate of children suffering from it, adults and adolescents can also be affected.
• You can only be infected by ringworm disease once. This is a lie. Ringworm can reoccur. It can actually spread on the different parts of your body.