A fungus disease which can effect any part of the body
including the scalp, nails or feet and the symptom is known
as ringworm.
Ringworm has nothing to do with its name, as the word
"ringworm" may not directly represent its own meaning. The
name ringworm is given to this disease because the
formation of red ring occurs around the infected area on
the surface of the skin which can be transmitted by having
direct contact with other infected people or animals.
Normally, this condition occurs due to several types of
mold-like fungus called Dermatophytes, which is known as
the disease could be alive on dead cells of the body like
nails and scalp. More often, it effects younger children
because there are common occurrences in child care homes,
schools, as well as in infant nurseries. Apart from this,
the risk of this infectious disease increases more
dramatically in families that have pets than others who do
not have pets with them.
Ringworm that is caused by fungus can be transmitted by
having direct contact or while petting, cleaning and other
such contact with pets. Infection can also occur from
animals such as horses, goats and cows. Moreover, the
reason for the spread of ringworm is due to touch on the
objects that has also been touched by infected animals or
people such as upholstery, bedding, combs, towels, clothing
and brushes.
Sometimes, humans get ringworm when they touch contaminated
soil but this rarely occurs. The mold-fungi causing
ringworms exist for a much longer time if the soil is full
of adequate nutrients. The infection of ring worm caused in
people is much more likely to come about from prolonged
contact with heavily infected soil.
Areas where Ringworms generally appear
Ringworm that appears on the scalp will first take the form
of a small pimple, which keeps getting larger in area, thus
leaving crusty patches or temporary baldness on the
infected person. As a result, this will cause the roots of
the hair to become weak and start breaking off easily and
results in heavy hair loss. Ringworm may also develop in
the yellowish crusty area during its occurrence.
Ringworm can also appear on the other parts of the body
including feet, which may appear as red from patchy spots.
This turns into expanding rashes which keep spreading on
the area on which ring is developed. The severe case of
ringworms leads to several patches on the skin surface
which sometimes overlap each other and results in the
inflammation on the effected area.
Ringworms effecting nails sometimes make the nails become
more thick but weak and pale. If you find any type of
patchy, itchy and red spot on your skin, consult your
doctor immediately.
Treatment
This disease is fortunately very simple to identify and
treat. Ringworm can be easily diagnosed by a dermatologist
but sometimes the doctors may scrape few pieces of flaky
infectious skin for further diagnosis under microscope for
fungal detection. Then they can prescribe ring worms
sufferers an anti-fungal medication to apply on the
infected area to treat it, but ring worms on nails and
scalp require oral anti-fungal medications in order to
treat completely after determining which one is the most
suitable treatment for this disease.
To prevent this infection, one needs to take care of his or
her personal hygiene and cleanliness. It is suggested that
individuals suffering from ringworm infection to wear
cotton clothing to prevent it from spreading.
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Find more useful articles about ringworm at
http://www.ringwormonline.com
http://www.ringwormonline.net
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