Learn More About The Ringworm

Learn More About The Ringworm
Ringworm is a common fungal skin infection caused by a
mold-like fungus, known as Dermatophyte. This kind of skin
infection generally occurs due to unhygienic environment or
surroundings. That is why, mainly young children get more
affected with this skin infection because of the lack of
proper self hygiene. Also, babies staying in nurseries,
care homes and schools are more exposed to the ringworm
skin fungal infection. Ringworm infection can also be
transmitted to a person while cleaning dogs or cats or
while petting. In many cases, humans can get the disease
from other kinds of animals such as goats, horses and cows.
Ringworm infection can take place in the form of red
patches on any part of the skin, and if not treated on
time, the infection rapidly expands to non-infected area
too in ring-like shape. A person can also catch the
ringworm infection easily if he or she shares personal
accessories like clothes, combs, beddings, brushes and
towels with a person who is already affected with the
infection. Mainly there are two species of fungus that are
the major cause of ringworm infection, including
Trichophyton and Microsporum.

These two species causing fungal infection infect different
parts of the body. This kind of fungal infection in legs,
arms and trunks is scientifically known as Tinea Corporis,
if it is in scalp it is scientifically known as Tinea
Capitis and if the infection is in groin area it is known
as Tinea Cruris. The fugal infection in feet is known
medically known as Tinea Pedis, in toenails and fingernails
it is called Tinea Unguium and in palm and hand it is known
as Tinea Mannum. These are the major parts of the body that
get affected by the ringworm infection. Ringworm infection
on the scalp usually begins with the emergence of tiny
pimples that spread rapidly leaving crusty patches of
temporary baldness. The infected scalp makes the roots of
the hair weak eventually leading to break off. Sometimes,
yellowish crusty may also take place during the occurrence
of ringworms. The ringworm on the nails might infect one or
more nails of a person's feet or hands. In this situation,
the nails might turn out to be pale, thick and weak.
However, the probability of ringworm on nail is less found
in puberty but more found in children.

Ringworm infection on feet usually happens to people like
athletes who may not have time to take care of personal
hygiene. The symptom will start from rashes between toes
that expand rapidly if the proper treatment is not taken in
early stages. Similar to this, ringworm rashes occur in the
jock-related area too. The type of ringworm infection that
occurs on feet and jock might not have appearance like ring
but will be scaly and red. If we talk about the treatment
of ringworm infection, one can consult a dermatologist who
identifies the type of ringworm infection and accordingly
can prescribe anti-fungal drugs to cure the disease. The
common anti-fungal drugs prescribed by doctors include
Clotrimazole and Miconazole. However, in some case, a
dermatologist has to scratch off a small part of the
infected flakes and diagnose it under the microscope to
find the fungus.

----------------------------------------------------
More useful information about ringworm symptoms and
treatments can be found at:
http://www.ringwormonline.org
http://www.myringworm.com